Developing urban waterfront greenways for multi-objective sustainability in Chengdu

As an ecological restoration approach, greenway construction can effectively address issues such as environmental pollution, ecological degradation, and natural resource scarcity in central urban areas. While most of the literature has analyzed the value of greenways primarily from ecological perspectives, a growing body of research and case studies focus on creating high-quality spaces tailored to spatial users and enhancing social values. Further exploration is needed on how greenway network design can improve not only ecosystem quality but also the vibrancy of public spaces and cultural sustainability. This paper proposes a greenway design framework centered around waterfront greenways, based on field research and in-depth interviews, aiming to balance objectives in ecological restoration, public space vitality, and cultural sustainability. Using the Jinjiang River area in Chengdu, China, as a case study, this paper elaborates on multi-objective-oriented greenway design strategies. The problem diagnosis framework and design strategies established in this study may prove useful for future interventions in high-density urban areas, and the proposed methodology could serve as a model for ecological restoration in other areas.