Recommended Key Events in the Tourism Industry

(Click the image above for details)

(Click the image above for details)

▲

Editor-in-Chief | Yang Ming

Editor | Jing Xiangyuan

Source | Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Office

Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Office

Notice on Issuing the "Pocket Park Construction Guide (Trial)"

Jian Ban Cheng Han [2024] No. 214

To the Housing and Urban-Rural Construction Departments of each province and autonomous region, the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Landscaping and Greenery, the Tianjin Municipal Commission of Urban Management, the Shanghai Municipal Greenery and Urban Appearance Management Bureau, the Chongqing Municipal Bureau of Urban Management, and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Housing and Urban-Rural Construction Bureau:

　　In order to scientifically promote the construction of pocket parks, improve supporting service functions, and enhance maintenance and management levels, our department has compiled the "Pocket Park Construction Guide (Trial)", which is now issued to you for your reference and implementation in accordance with actual conditions.

Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development Office
June 17, 2024

Pocket Park Construction Guide

(Trial)

Chapter 1 General Provisions

Article 1 In order to scientifically promote the construction of pocket parks, optimize the layout of urban green spaces, and meet the needs of the people to get close to nature, leisure and recreation, and sports and fitness, this guide is compiled in accordance with relevant laws, regulations, policies, and standards.

Article 2 Pocket parks are park green spaces that are open to the public, relatively small in scale, diverse in form, and have certain recreational functions. The area is generally between 400 and 10,000 square meters; they are characterized by flexible location, simple practicality, and environmental friendliness.

Article 3 This guide applies to the planning, design, construction, and management of pocket parks within cities.

Article 4 Principles for Pocket Park Construction:

(1) Adapting to Local Conditions. Combining the implementation of urban renewal, leaving blank spaces for greening, demolishing illegal structures for greening, and inserting green spaces to construct pocket parks. Fully respecting and utilizing the existing terrain and vegetation of the site, highlighting the characteristics of local culture, and forming a "one park, one product" landscape pattern.

(2) Convenient and People-Oriented. Fully considering the needs of surrounding residents, prioritizing the selection of sites in areas with insufficient coverage of park green space service radius, implementing requirements for the elderly and children, increasing activity areas, improving supporting facilities, and creating diverse activity venues.

(3) Safe and Comfortable. Site selection and construction should avoid various potential risk factors as much as possible, scientifically conduct functional layout, and effectively control the interference of various leisure activities in the park on surrounding residents.

(4) Thrifty and Pragmatic. Implementing the concept of economical gardening and green low-carbon, reasonably configuring facilities according to the needs of the masses, prioritizing the use of native plants, and advocating the use of energy-saving and water-saving materials, technologies, and processes.

(5) Joint Construction and Sharing. Exploring the establishment of a diversified construction and management mechanism of "government guidance and social participation", guiding citizens to participate in park site selection, design, construction, and maintenance management, and jointly building and sharing a beautiful environment.

Chapter 2 Layout

Article 5 Site Selection

(1) Old Urban Areas. Fully tapping the potential of corner plots, vacant land, land reclaimed from demolition of illegal structures, and other usable spaces in urban areas to plan and construct pocket parks, improving the coverage rate of park green space service radius, and promoting the transformation and upgrading of existing public spaces.

(2) New Urban Areas. Combining green space-related special plans, aiming for "greenery within 300 meters and parks within 500 meters", supplementing and configuring pocket parks, and constructing a city park system with balanced layout and reasonable supporting facilities.

Article 6 Layout Requirements

(1) Making up for Service Blind Spots. Based on the systematic analysis of the even distribution of urban park green space, prioritizing the selection of service blind spots of park green space and areas with high public demand but insufficient total amount of park green space to increase pocket parks.

(2) Combining Urban Renewal Layout. Combining the renovation and upgrading of old residential areas, commercial streets, back alleys, and the construction of complete communities to lay out pocket parks. Encouraging the construction of pocket parks around residential areas, primary and secondary schools, and kindergartens.

(3) Protecting and Utilizing Historical and Cultural Resources. Encouraging the construction of pocket parks in combination with the protection of ancient trees, ancient bridges, ancient wells, and other historical relics. Pocket parks constructed within historical and cultural streets and historical areas should pay attention to coordination and unity with the historical landscape environment.

Article 7 Scale and Function

(1) Scale Classification. Pocket parks can be divided into small, medium, and large types according to their size. The proportion of green land and green coverage rate should be scientifically determined according to the scale and use needs of pocket parks to ensure the configuration needs of activity areas and service facilities.

Table 1 Classification of Pocket Park Scale and Proportion of Greening Land

(2) Main Functions. The main functions of pocket parks include leisure and recreation, children's games, sports and fitness, cultural display, and science education. The functional combination and spatial zoning should be reasonably determined according to the needs of the surrounding users, and various activity facilities and service facilities should be configured according to site conditions, surrounding municipal facilities, etc. Facility configuration should comply with relevant standards and specifications, and safe, durable, and easy-to-maintain facilities should be selected.

Table 2 Pocket Park Function Settings

Note: Recommended: ● Optional: ○

Chapter 3 Design and Creation

Article 8 General Requirements

(1) Meet the needs of the surrounding population. The design of pocket parks should fully consider the age structure and actual needs of the surrounding population. In residential areas, it is advisable to focus on designing functional spaces for children's games and play, and for the elderly to exercise. In areas surrounding public service facilities, priority should be given to meeting the public's needs for rest and convenient passage. Among them, those surrounding primary and secondary schools and kindergartens should have child-friendly functions, and combined with the setting of nearby public toilets and environmental characteristics, reasonably match public toilets, parent waiting areas, and other facilities.

(2) Create an open and shared park environment. The layout of pocket parks should be organically integrated with the construction of the city's slow-traffic system, making full use of the greenway system to connect green spaces; strengthen the connection with urban bus stops, pedestrian flow lines, and entrances and exits of surrounding buildings to facilitate people's entry and exit.

(3) Focus on a simple and reasonable spatial layout. According to the site scale, location, and surrounding environmental conditions, based on the reasonable calculation of the number of users, scientifically determine the proportion of green space and hard paving areas, delineate functional zones, distinguish between dynamic and static spaces, and layout various activity areas. Reasonably set up multi-functional areas to improve space utilization. The layout should be simple and smooth for public use.

(4) Ensure a safe and comfortable environment. The design and facilities of activity areas should consider the needs of the elderly, children, and people with disabilities, and strengthen barrier-free design. Attention should be paid to summer shading and night lighting needs. Avoid surrounding safety hazards and interference factors; when necessary, use green isolation or facility protection measures to reduce environmental interference.

(5) Showcase unique venue themes. Attention should be paid to excavating the cultural characteristics of the site and surrounding areas, reasonably determining and expressing the cultural theme of the park, and enhancing the park's cultural and artistic charm. For sites with historical relics, protection, display, and utilization of historical relics should be strengthened.

Article 9 Activity Areas

(1) Rest and Interaction Areas. Rest and interaction areas should be designed and constructed according to the principles of "appropriate scale, multiple uses, and flexible forms." According to the needs of use and site conditions, create suitable spatial forms to meet the needs of various activity functions and avoid large-scale and inappropriate scales.

Rest facilities such as seats and pavilions should focus on safety and comfort. Pavilion settings should consider the need for shade and rain protection, and wheelchair parking spaces should be provided next to the seats.

Changes in paving colors, materials, and patterns can be used, and forms such as tree pools and landscape walls can be used to divide dynamic and static spaces and different activity areas, improving the safety and comfort of site use.

(2) Children's Activity Areas. Sunny and well-ventilated locations should be selected. The site should have no less than 1/2 of the activity area outside the building's sunshade line, and the site should be located on the leeward side of the building (structure) that can block winter cold winds.

Children's activity areas should consider the characteristics of children of different ages, appropriately organize zoning, and the spatial design should ensure visual transparency. The shape of the facilities should be novel and lively, close to nature, and the colors should be rich and bright, in line with children's psychological characteristics. The materials of children's play facilities and activity equipment should be environmentally friendly and safe.

Non-toxic and thornless plants with rich colors and diverse varieties should be planted in and around children's activity areas to stimulate children's interest in and understanding of nature. Mini vegetable gardens, game corners, and interesting graffiti walls can be appropriately set up as natural experience areas and aesthetic education spaces.

In areas with large differences in site elevation, grass steps, stands, and recreational facilities suitable for neighborhood interaction can be set up to reasonably absorb the difference in site elevation and improve site utilization.

(3) Sports and Fitness Areas. Including fitness areas and sports activity areas. Sports and fitness areas should avoid overlapping with other park activity areas and main park roads to ensure park activity safety.

Fitness areas should be located in easily accessible areas with appropriate shade. The selection of fitness equipment should take into account various types, including strength, endurance, flexibility, and agility.

Fitness areas primarily serving the elderly can be set up with circular walking paths. Handrails can be set up on one side of the path. Plantings around the site should prevent roots from bulging and affecting the flatness of the ground. The distance between the planting points of trees and the edge of the paving should not be less than 0.75 meters, and the distance between the planting points of tree species with developed surface roots and the edge of the paving should not be less than 1.0 meters.

Sports activity areas are mainly small multi-functional sports areas, including table tennis tables, badminton courts, and non-standard basketball courts. The layout of sports activity areas should be away from residential buildings and office buildings. When necessary, protective fences and green isolation belts should be set up to reduce interference and ensure safety. When sports activity areas are adjacent to children's activity areas and elderly activity areas, safety buffer spaces or safety isolation measures should be reserved to prevent collisions.

Seats and storage facilities should be provided around sports activity areas. If conditions permit, drinking water and other supporting facilities can be provided.

Article 10 Road Paving

(1) Paving Material Selection. Should meet the requirements of flatness, non-slip, durability, beauty, and easy maintenance, and avoid using polished stone, glass, tiles with large gaps, and loose materials.

The concept of sponge city construction should be implemented, using permeable and breathable paving to prevent waterlogging.

(2) Vertical Design. Park roads should have a safe and comfortable slope design, and the slope of the paved area should be 0.3%—3%.

Roads and activity areas should meet barrier-free environmental requirements for easy use by special groups.

(3) Layout Design. For the design of walking or running paths, it is advisable to design them in a closed loop form. The surface should be continuous and flat, and non-slip, breathable, and wear-resistant surface materials should be prioritized.

Different colors, materials, and patterns can be used for paving to enhance the recognition and artistry of the paths.

Manhole covers should be integrated with the surrounding paving to ensure a flat surface.

Areas used as escape and rescue passages should meet the requirements of relevant standards and specifications.

Article Eleven Greening and Planting

(1) Plant Selection. Adhere to the principle of selecting appropriate trees for appropriate locations, prioritizing native species, increasing foliage and flowering plants to create a "color effect," and appropriately selecting new and excellent regional varieties.

Plants without berries or secretions that fall to the ground, without thorns, without irritating odors, without fluff, with few pests, and not easily causing allergies should be selected; plants with health-care and healing effects can be appropriately selected.

Ground cover should choose plants that are resistant to trampling, easy to grow, and low-maintenance.

Tall, fast-growing trees should not be planted in areas bordering residential areas, as they may affect the lighting of the houses. If trees need to be planted, deciduous and slow-growing trees are preferred.

(2) Plant Landscaping. Fully respect the existing vegetation on the site, especially tall trees, which should be preserved and utilized in the design.

Tree species matching should focus on shading effects and seasonal characteristics, using foliage, flowering, and fruiting plants to enhance landscape richness; fragrant plants can be used appropriately.

Increase the proportion of "tree-grass" type planting structures, leave more ground cover space, and improve permeability.

Promote natural plant configuration and reduce the use of shaped color block plants.

Article Twelve Landscape Features

(1) Landscape Buildings and Structures. The cultural theme, size, style, materials, and colors of landscape buildings and structures should be coordinated with the overall environment.

The size of the corridors should be coordinated with the scale of the site, and the design should be combined with the functional needs, cultural themes, and landscape characteristics of the pocket park. The top of the corridor can be made opaque.

The design of the landscape walls should meet the needs of function and space organization, and excessive independent landscape walls should not be designed.

Based on full consideration of later maintenance, fountains, sprays, water walls, and other water features should be designed and constructed, following the principles of suitability and cyclical conservation, and ensuring contact safety.

(2) Leisure Tables and Chairs. The design of seats should meet ergonomic requirements, and the surface should use durable and comfortable materials to improve comfort in summer and winter.

The form of seats can be combined with the terrain, tree pits, steps, low walls, and site paving to create unique landscapes. Seats should be set at 20%–30% of the visitor capacity.

Tables and chairs for chatting, playing chess, etc., should be arranged in combination with shade trees and corridors.

(3) Ancillary Facilities. The signage system design should be clear, standardized, concise, and unified in style.

The design and selection of lighting facilities should follow the principles of "low-carbon saving, practical aesthetics, and style coordination." The installation location and illuminance should consider the impact on plants and the surrounding environment. The use of smart lighting facilities is encouraged.

Appropriate shielding or beautification of distribution boxes, manhole covers, fences, and other facilities.

Article Thirteen Cultural Display

(1) Emphasis on Integration with Cultural Resources. Strengthen the excavation, display, and utilization of cultural resources such as cultural relics, historical buildings, historical sites, ancient trees, historical stories, and folk legends inside and outside the site, and arrange cultural display spaces according to local conditions to inherit excellent traditional Chinese culture.

(2) Forms of Expression. The refinement and display of cultural elements should match the theme of the pocket park. Walls, ground, sculptures, features, and signs should be used as carriers to display the cultural theme and highlight the cultural heritage of the park.

(3) Cultural Activities. Various cultural activities should be carried out in combination with community governance work, residents' needs, and regional cultural traditions to enrich the cultural life of the masses.

Article Fourteen Safety Assurance

(1) Safety Requirements. Night lighting should be combined with the main garden routes, with functional lighting as the main focus, avoiding blind spots in lighting. Reflective luminaires should be selected for children's activity areas to avoid glare.

Greening and planting should leave necessary transparent sightlines to avoid blind spots and affect safety management.

Sports and fitness facilities should indicate age and physical condition restrictions, clarify facility operation requirements, and whether a caregiver is required.

Children's activity areas should avoid proximity to motor vehicle lanes, bicycle lanes, and parking lots. If nearby, they should be isolated with plants or terrain to ensure the safety of children's activities. High-pressure fountains should not be used in accessible waterfront spaces.

The surface of landscape features should be smooth, and the ends or corners should be designed with rounded corners to avoid safety risks.

Intelligent monitoring and management facilities should be installed.

All facilities in the park should meet the requirements of relevant safety standards and specifications.

(2) Barrier-Free Requirements. The design and construction of barrier-free facilities such as curb ramps, wheelchair ramps, and handrails should comply with the "Barrier-Free Design Specifications" (GB 50763) and "Universal Barrier-Free Specifications for Building and Municipal Engineering" (GB 55019). The connection points between entrances, paths, and building facilities should be gentle and non-slip, and barrier-free routes should be continuous and unobstructed. A complete barrier-free signage system should be set up, and voice services and Braille signs can be provided.

Chapter Four Management and Maintenance

Article Fifteen Management Mechanism

The urban garden greening authorities should coordinate the planning, design, construction, and management of urban pocket parks.

Pocket parks should be designed by qualified institutions, and construction should be organized and project acceptance conducted in accordance with relevant national requirements.

Adhering to the principle of "30% construction and 70% maintenance," we will strengthen the operation and maintenance management of pocket parks. For already opened pocket parks, we need to clarify the management agency, daily maintenance unit, and responsible person, and implement daily maintenance personnel and funding guarantees. We will establish and improve daily management systems and enhance management service levels.

No unit or individual may damage park trees or destroy park facilities without authorization.

Article 16 Daily Maintenance

(1) Park Hygiene: Maintain a clean, tidy, fresh, natural, and beautiful park environment.

Strengthen cleaning and sanitation, promptly remove garbage, avoid any sanitary dead corners, and promptly remove pruned branches, weeds, and other debris.

All facilities and buildings should be clean and dry, free of stains, graffiti, cobwebs, etc. Amusement facilities should be cleaned and disinfected regularly to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.

Park water bodies should be kept clean, free of mosquito breeding, odor, and floating debris, meeting the water quality standards for landscape water bodies.

(2) Greenery Maintenance: Refer to the "Garden Greenery Maintenance Standard" (CJJ/T 287) and relevant standards to ensure the normal growth of plants and create a garden environment with lush flowers and trees, beautiful scenery, and comfortable surroundings.

Regularly prune plants according to their growth characteristics, promptly replenish missing or short plants, maintaining good growth, beautiful shape, and reasonable layering. Warning signs and safety measures should be implemented during pruning.

Pest and disease control measures should be developed, advocating biological control. When pest and disease hazards occur, effective measures should be taken promptly to avoid endangering public safety and minimize the impact on the natural environment.

Scientifically and reasonably deploy water-saving irrigation facilities to ensure the normal maintenance needs of plants.

(3) Facility Management: Strengthen the inspection, testing, and maintenance of various facilities in the park to ensure that all facilities are in good appearance and function.

Data such as inspection, maintenance, and replacement records of park facilities should be properly collected and managed for verification.

Regular inspections should be conducted, and daily maintenance of landscape buildings and garden features should be strengthened to maintain their integrity, cleanliness, and lack of damage.

(4) Safety Management: Establish a daily inspection system for facilities, promptly identify hidden dangers, and maintain and update them. Extreme weather response, fire prevention, and safe electricity use should be addressed.

Park facility repairs and gardening machinery operations should have safety warning signs and effective safety measures.