Can a polluted stormwater drain speak for a city? I ask you this as we stand here at Donghao Stream. This greenway defines something new about Guangzhou. Ecological principles are rising to the top of China’s priorities.
Donghao Stream was one of three ancient canals. These canals brought water from the Baiyun Mountains to Guangzhou since the Song Dynasty. Donghao Stream was the only one never buried.
Until recently Donghao Stream was a polluted ditch. It ran under an elevated expressway. Uncontrolled urban development encroached on the banks. Sewage spilled into residential and commercial properties. Buildings flooded when waters overflowed the banks.
Starting in 2009 over 7 hectares of land were cleared. This land along Donghao Stream was turned into a greenway. It features world class walking and cycling facilities. Over 1000 families were resettled. Over 48000 square meters of commercial real estate were cleared.
The sewers were connected to sewer pipes. The entire canal was dredged and cleaned. Ten new bridges were built across the canal. There are 5.4 kilometers of new pedestrian walkways. There are 1.3 kilometers of new bike paths. Also there are 3.2 kilometers of new road works. In the surrounding area over 329000 square meters of new commercial real estate were developed.
Donghao Stream started as a moat. It protected the great stone walls of ancient Guangzhou around 200 B.C.E. The city grew out of its walled enclosure. Donghao Stream became a drainage ditch. Then it became an open sewer. In the early 1990s Guangzhou’s population increased rapidly. Transportation engineers covered part of the stream with a big boulevard. They built an elevated freeway above the rest. The channel transported runoff and sewage to the Pearl River.
A water treatment plant was constructed midway through the park. Huge fresh water pipes were installed underneath the channel. The installations supply clean water from the Pearl River. They treat runoff and sewage. What was once a channel of waste is now a beautiful greenway. This place demonstrates the value of a cleaner urban setting.