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Letting rain in, letting greenery stay: rain garden transformation at Xie Zi Pu Park

Located in the Hsinchu HarborSpecialized District, Xie Zi Pu Park was originally a low-lying open plaza with a high proportion of impervious surfaces. During rainfall, water would frequently accumulate, and in hot weather, the vast concrete paving contributed to a heat island effect, reducing user comfort. This transformation project focused on addressing drainage and water collection, introducing a rain garden and permeable paving so that rainwater is no longer seen as something to be drained but instead as a resource to be utilized.

How does rainwater travel through the park?

The entire site is slightly sloped, and previously rainwater would disperse from the center of the plaza toward the edges, eventually draining into roadside gutters. The design team divided the plaza into three catchment areas according to the terrain and flow direction, introducing permeable paving and rain gardens on both sides to slow down and buffer the surface runoff during rainfall, enhancing the site's overall flood retention capacity. Additionally, the roof of the nearby pavilion was incorporated into the system, with rainwater channeled through pipes into underground storage facilities to be used later for plant irrigation and demonstration purposes. These seemingly subtle landscape adjustments actually form the backbone of the park's internal water circulation.

Letting hard surfaces "breathe": redistributing paving and gardens

Previously, the paving consisted mainly of exposed aggregate and concrete, which were impermeable and contributed to surface heat. This renovation replaced the paving around secondary entrances and the pavilion with permeable concrete, meeting pedestrian needs while also managing rainwater flow. Low-lying areas around the plaza were transformed into rain gardens, arranged in a semi-circular green buffer zone according to the original paving outline. Elements such as explanatory signage and faucets were installed within the gardens, allowing visitors to observe how rainwater flows from roofs and paved surfaces into the garden and infiltrates the ground.

A multi-layered, multi-seasonal green experience

The planting design emphasizes a natural layout, using perennial herbs that can adapt to coastal environments, such as baby bamboo, white rain lily, dwarf fountain grass, and simpleleaf chastetree. These plants are both drought-tolerant and butterfly-attracting. Their staggered heights help guide movement and form part of the park's walking paths. Unlike traditional flowerbeds, this garden changes with the seasons and weather, offering diverse colors and appearances. From water retention and guidance to visual experiences, every layer of planting and every path arrangement helps re-establish connections between water and people, land and vegetation.

Tangible Spatial Transformationn

After its renovation, Xie Zi Pu Park is no longer just a simple plaza — it is a place that breathes. Residents stroll, children observe plants and waterflows, and the area around the pavilion has become more inviting thanks to the added greenery. Without drastically altering the original structure, the design naturally integrates rainwater into the site's circulation, enriching users' sensory experiences. This dialogue between rainwater and the park not only alleviates urban drainage pressure but also quietly makes the city a more pleasant place.