“What purpose does it serve now?” I asked myself looking at Beiqijia Bridge. Let’s explore the story of Beiqijia. It sits in Beiqijia Town in Changping District. This town is in the southwestern corner of the district.
Beiqijia Town’s history is rich. From 1958 to 1959 it was Beiqijia Working Station. This was within Xiaotangshan People’s Commune. In 1982 Beiqijia became a township. By 1997 it was formally designated as Beiqijia Town.
Today Beiqijia Town is divided into many subdivisions. There are 23 communities. There are also 19 villages. Beiqijia Village is one of them.
The Beiqijia Technology Business District is a forward-looking project. It mixes residential areas offices and retail spaces. The landscape promotes a healthy urban lifestyle. This area won awards for its landscape design. It won the Yuan Ye Award in 2019. It also won the Beijing Landscape Bureau award in 2018.
The Beiqijia Technology Business District has three zones. These zones are around commercial areas office spaces and residential areas. Rectangular strips create a coherent look. These strips become paving or planting. They also form street furniture.
The central park is a green public heart. A curving water feature separates the park from residences. This water feature collects rainwater. Locals and visitors enjoy this space. There is also a sunny corner garden. People can sit and enjoy the sun. The breeze from the water creates a beach-like feel.
The commercial zone includes headquarters offices. It also has courtyard gardens. The Qui Bei Road promenade is here. The eco zone runs along the northern edge. It absorbs storm water runoff. Visitors can stroll in this area. They can also enter the green central heart.
The southern residential zone offers small garden rooms. Hedges and walls create private spaces. There is a children’s play area. Gardens feature water and seating. A fitness area is available. A fitness trail surrounds the site.
The landscape design supports LEED Gold accreditation. It uses sustainable urban drainage. It harvests and reuses storm water. It also has a high green ratio. This reduces the urban heat island effect. The design balances microclimates. It screens winter winds. It welcomes summer winds. The central water feature cools the air.
The site included a demonstration zone. This tested materials and plants. It helped fine-tune structures and furniture.
Beijiqia Bridge allows passage. It is a reminder of Beiqijia’s development. It connects the past with the future. The bridge stands as a testament to progress. It shows how Beiqijia has transformed.