One Merit Award, in the Analysis, Planning and Urban Design category, was presented to Chongqing Donehome Landscape Architecture Planning Design for Nature’s Healing: The Creation of a New Sustainable Growth Strategy for Restoration and Conservation.

This may be the first time that a Potomac Chapter award has been given to a project in China.

The TongLuoShan Quarry Park valley is nearly 6,000 acres of land damaged by unregulated stone extraction. What was once a majestic valley, is now devastated by industry and environmental encroachment. 60 years of quarrying have scraped and chiseled farmland and woodland into large quarries and spoils areas.

The landscape architect exhaustively researched all living habitats, geology and hydrology. They collected and assessed the data and proposed a strategy for a sustainable development master-plan of reclamation and restoration.

The master plan proposes an aggressive, 10-year reclamation strategy for the valley and is a national model for the other quarry projects facing similar challenges.

The jury remarked that “This project demonstrates a clear and methodical approach to the restoration of this scarred site. The breakdown of areas, uses, and environmental programs creates a clear path towards restoration.”