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Creating a safe and friendly rain garden on campus

Dazhi Elementary School is located within the urban planning area of East District, Taichung City. The surrounding area is densely packed with buildings, making the school a typical campus in a highly developed area. The school has over 600 students, and the area north of the track and field serves as their main activity space. However, this area had long suffered from water accumulation and uneven surface levels, which not only affected the quality of activities but also posed safety risks. In the past, many blackboard trees on campus caused pavement upheaval due to exposed roots, resulting in uneven surfaces that often led to the formation of puddles and potential slipping risks after rainfall. Around the nearby pond, exposed soil caused muddy runoff during heavy rain, clogging the drainage system and reducing the site's flood control capacity. Based on flood potential maps from the Water Resources Agency, it was confirmed that flooding in this area mainly stemmed from surface elevation and poor permeability rather than overflow from surrounding areas.

Countermeasures and space optimization

This campus renovation project focused on solving three core issues: first, regarding the water accumulation around the plaza and track and field during rainfall, surface paving materials are adjusted and rainwater infiltration mechanisms improved to effectively reduce the amount of surface runoff; second, to resolve the issue of pavement upheaval and uneven surfaces caused by protruding tree roots, pathways are repaved and leveled to ensure student safety while supporting special needs of various activities; finally, to deal with the poor infiltration and muddy conditions caused by exposed soil near the pond, a rain garden and underground storage facilities are built to aid rainwater infiltration and retention, reducing soil erosion and enhancing overall flood drainage capacity. The overall plan not only solved the issues of waterlogging after rainfall and passage safety but also transformed the campus into a friendly learning environment that integrates functionality, education, rainwater management, and ecological landscape.

A comprehensive three-tiered solution

1. Introduction of permeable pavement: permeable construction methods were applied to the main walkways to reduce surface runoff and pedestrian and activity routes underwent redesign to improve spatial efficiency and safety.
2. Installation of a rain garden: the area of exposed soil was converted into a rain garden with water retention and infiltration functions, serving as both a rainwater buffer and an educational landscape, while also increasing overall green coverage and aesthetics.
3. Construction of a rainwater storage system: rainwater infiltrates from the pavement and rain garden into the underground storage tank. Once full, excess water is discharged into the existing side gutter via drainage pipes, ensuring a smooth overall water cycle.

Additionally, to address the school's concerns regarding safety and the environment, all blackboard trees that damaged the pavement were removed and replaced with native trees such as evergreen ash and camphor trees, reducing issues of root protrusion and adding shade and ecological value to the campus.

Campus green transformation outcomes

Through systematic hydrological improvement and paving optimization, the previously high-risk flood-prone areas of Dazhi Elementary School have been transformed into open green spaces with aesthetic, functional, and educational value. With clear pathways, level surfaces, and lush greenery, the shared space has become safer for student activities and more reassuring for parents. Beyond resolving waterlogging issues, the project also enhanced the campus' visual appeal and ecological education capacity by planting redesign and introducing a rain garden, achieving the dual vision of rainwater reuse and a resilient campus.