Baierhe River flows through the linear central part of Shiyan City, China. While, during the rapid urbanization, it was straightened and paved with concrete, becoming a pure flood-discharge infrastructure.

However, considering the width of the channel, the harsh cityscape totally cuts off the relationships between citizens’ everyday life and the nature. It became a gap in the city, physically and socially.

Therefore, a more responsive and ecologic strategy will be proposed for the revitalization of Baierhe River. An additional detention park in the upstream area would be proposed as an alternative approach to maintain current flood-discharge function, and to create possibilities for further operations along downstream channels, aiming at turning the gap into public spaces and facilities with better quality.