Guangzhou International Award for Urban Innovation 2026

Xiamen Mountains-to-Sea Trail: Elevated Nonmotorized Corridor Solving the Urban Spatial Fragmentation

Turning Viaduct “Concrete Walls” into Inclusive, Green, People-Centred Public Space

Inclusive Green Resilient People-Centred

Section 01

The Initiative

The construction of elevated viaducts has led to fragmented urban spaces, poor connectivity, lack of interaction in some communities, and infringed mobility rights for vulnerable groups. To address this bottleneck, Xiamen has built elevated nonmotorized corridor named “Xiamen Mountains-to-Sea Trail” using the under viaduct spaces of the elevated Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lanes, which lie between the BRT viaduct and the ground arterial roads, without excessive land occupation. Integrated with the metro and BRT systems, a three-dimensional transport network of “rail + bus + nonmotorized travel” is created to connect communities, commercial zones and transport hubs. Supported by Park and Ride (P+R) facilities and smart mobility platforms, the project has improved transport efficiency, revitalized communities, increased green travel share and delivered inclusive, barrier-free access for all.

Fig 1-1: General Layout Plan of Xiamen Mountains-to-Sea Trail

Fig 1-2: Location Map – Cloud Line

Fig 1-3: Location Map – Forest Line

Fig 1-4: Integrated "Rail + Bus + Nonmotorized" Network

Section 02

The Challenge

Before the trail: viaducts as "concrete walls"

Before the trail was completed, elevated BRT viaducts across Xiamen created serious physical barriers between communities. Residents — especially students, seniors, and people with disabilities — faced long detours, heavy traffic risks, and inefficient crossings. Students at Dongfang Primary School had to cross busy arterial roads with no safe access. Urban spaces were disconnected, and vulnerable groups' mobility rights were compromised. Urban planning used to prioritize vehicle flow over pedestrian needs , resulting in low connectivity, insufficient public space, and unbalanced urban vitality.

⏱

School Crossing: 13 min 51 s

Dongfang Primary School students crossed busy arterial roads with an average travel time of 13 min 51 s — no safe route existed.

🚶

Avg. Crossing Time: 12 min+

Residents faced lengthy detours to cross viaducts, with average travel time exceeding 12 minutes per crossing.

♿

Vulnerable Groups Excluded

Seniors, children and people with disabilities faced disproportionate safety risks and excessive detour distances.

🚗

Limitations in Spatial Connectivity under Traditional Planning

Traditional planning prioritised vehicles over pedestrians, leaving communities cut off from parks, schools and commercial areas.

Fig 2: Urban space fragmentation caused by BRT viaducts

Section 03

The Innovation

The project adopts a three-dimensional space reuse model without additional land occupation, transforming under-viaduct and overhead spaces into a continuous nonmotorized corridor.

Three-Dimensional Space Activation

Efficient use of under-viaduct and overhead areas to reduce costs and avoid land acquisition — zero additional land footprint.

Full-Link Connectivity

The corridor connects communities, schools, commercial zones, BRT, metro stations and lakeside parks, realising seamless mobility across the city.

People-Centred Inclusive Design

Capsule stairs for Dongfang Primary School, barrier-free ramps, gentle slopes, rest areas and clear signage systems serve all age groups and abilities.

Smart Operation

Real-time monitoring, passenger flow analysis and intelligent management ensure safe, stable and efficient operation throughout the year.

Integrated Rail + BRT + Nonmotorized network after trail construction

Fig 3-1: Integrated transport network after trail construction

Fig 3-2: Elevated nonmotorized corridors using under-viaduct spaces

Fig 3-3: Trail connecting shopping mall, community and school

Barrier-free elevators, ramps, and safety facilities along the trail

Fig 3-4: Barrier-free elevators, ramps, and safety facilities

Fig 3-5: Students and citizens using the capsule staircase

Screenshot of the Xiamen Mountains-to-Sea Trail Smart Comprehensive Management Platform

Fig 3-6: Smart Comprehensive Management Platform

Section 04

Governance & Partnership

The project follows a people-first governance philosophy, implementing a "government leadership, enterprise implementation, multi-stakeholder collaboration" mechanism.

The Xiamen Municipal Government established an inter-departmental joint working group for overall planning and coordination. Municipal state-owned enterprises are responsible for construction, operation and maintenance.

Weekly joint site inspections enabling on-site, real-time decision-making

Community design workshops at Dongfang Primary School, Caitang Transport Hub and Tianhong Mall collecting public input on entrances, ramps and routes

Merchant–government coordination system balancing construction activity, noise control and business operations

Participatory planning, budgeting and design with full transparency in costing, operation and maintenance

Fig 4-1: Weekend site survey on the trail (Sunday, 15 Mar 2026)

Weekday on-site research at four key locations (Thursday, 16 Apr 2026)

Fig 4-2: Weekday on-site research at four locations (Thursday, 16 Apr 2026)

Weekend on-site research at four key locations (Sunday, 19 Apr 2026)

Fig 4-3: Weekend on-site research at four locations (Sunday, 19 Apr 2026)

Design coordination meeting with stakeholders

Fig 4-4: Public participation in discussions during the project implementation process

Section 05

Impacts & Results

Significant and quantifiable outcomes, supported by on-site surveys at Caitang Transport Hub, Tianhong Mall, and Dongfang Primary School.

50,000+

Daily nonmotorized trips served

48.56%

Avg. cross-viaduct travel time reduced

89.17%

Reduction in crossing time for Dongfang Primary School students

53.59%

Accessibility facility usage rate (weekday)

Table 1 — Weekday Survey Results (Thursday, 16 Apr 2026 · 7:00–9:00 & 17:00–21:00)

Survey Location	Valid Samples	Gender Ratio	Age Distribution	Travel Purpose	Travel Time Comparison	Accessibility Usage	Remarks
Caitang Transport Hub 蔡塘交通枢纽	1,701	M: 56.08% / F: 43.92% 男: 56.08% / 女: 43.92%	<18: 3.47% 19–35: 37.15% 36–60: 53.62% >60: 5.76% 18岁以下: 3.47% 19–35岁: 37.15% 36–60岁: 53.62% 60岁以上: 5.76%	Commuting: 26.46% School: 2.12% Leisure: 71.43% 通勤: 26.46% 上学: 2.12% 休闲: 71.43%	Before: 8:35 After: 6:58 ↓ 18.83% 建设前: 8分35秒建设后: 6分58秒 ↓ 18.83%	0 users / 0% 0人 / 0%	Under maintenance 无障碍设施维修
Near Tianhong Mall 天虹商场附近	998	M: 62.63% / F: 37.37% 男: 62.63% / 女: 37.37%	<18: 3.61% 19–35: 40.38% 36–60: 40.28% >60: 15.73% 18岁以下: 3.61% 19–35岁: 40.38% 36–60岁: 40.28% 60岁以上: 15.73%	Commuting: 22.14% School: 0.80% Leisure: 77.05% 通勤: 22.14% 上学: 0.80% 休闲: 77.05%	Before: 12:55 After: 8:03 ↓ 37.68% 建设前: 12分55秒建设后: 8分03秒 ↓ 37.68%	0 users / 0% 0人 / 0%	Out of service 无障碍设施停用
Near Dongfang Primary School 东芳小学附近	390	M: 52.82% / F: 47.18% 男: 52.82% / 女: 47.18%	<18: 15.13% 19–35: 29.23% 36–60: 43.59% >60: 12.05% 18岁以下: 15.13% 19–35岁: 29.23% 36–60岁: 43.59% 60岁以上: 12.05%	Commuting: 19.49% School: 11.79% Leisure: 68.72% 通勤: 19.49% 上学: 11.79% 休闲: 68.72%	Before: 13:51 After: 1:30 ↓ 89.17% 建设前: 13分51秒建设后: 1分30秒 ↓ 89.17%	209 users / 53.59% 209人 / 53.59%	—
Total 合计	3,089	M: 57.18% / F: 42.82% 男: 57.18% / 女: 42.82%	<18: 7.40% 19–35: 35.59% 36–60: 45.83% >60: 11.18% 18岁以下: 7.40% 19–35岁: 35.59% 36–60岁: 45.83% 60岁以上: 11.18%	Commuting: 22.70% School: 4.90% Leisure: 72.40% 通勤: 22.70% 上学: 4.90% 休闲: 72.40%	Avg. ↓ 48.56% 平均耗时降低 48.56%	—	—

Table 2 — Weekend Survey Results (Sunday, 19 Apr 2026 · 9:00–12:00 & 14:00–22:00)

Survey Location	Valid Samples	Gender Ratio	Age Distribution	Travel Purpose	Travel Time Comparison	Accessibility Usage	Remarks
Caitang Transport Hub 蔡塘交通枢纽	4,503	M: 61.87% / F: 38.24% 男: 61.87% / 女: 38.24%	<18: 26.74% 19–35: 33.20% 36–60: 31.49% >60: 8.59% 18岁以下: 26.74% 19–35岁: 33.20% 36–60岁: 31.49% 60岁以上: 8.59%	Commuting: 0.69% School: 0.58% Leisure: 98.73% 通勤: 0.69% 上学: 0.58% 休闲: 98.73%	Before: 8:35 After: 6:58 ↓ 18.83% 建设前: 8分35秒建设后: 6分58秒 ↓ 18.83%	0 users / 0% 0人 / 0%	Under maintenance 无障碍设施维修
Near Tianhong Mall 天虹商场附近	7,440	M: 50.62% / F: 49.38% 男: 50.62% / 女: 49.38%	<18: 23.40% 19–35: 37.15% 36–60: 31.13% >60: 8.32% 18岁以下: 23.40% 19–35岁: 37.15% 36–60岁: 31.13% 60岁以上: 8.32%	Commuting: 3.40% School: 0.40% Leisure: 96.20% 通勤: 3.40% 上学: 0.40% 休闲: 96.20%	Before: 12:55 After: 8:03 ↓ 37.68% 建设前: 12分55秒建设后: 8分03秒 ↓ 37.68%	0 users / 0% 0人 / 0%	Out of service 无障碍设施停用
Near Dongfang Primary School 东芳小学附近	1,379	M: 50.54% / F: 49.46% 男: 50.54% / 女: 49.46%	<18: 15.66% 19–35: 25.16% 36–60: 37.73% >60: 21.45% 18岁以下: 15.66% 19–35岁: 25.16% 36–60岁: 37.73% 60岁以上: 21.45%	Commuting: 0% School: 0% Leisure: 100% 通勤: 0% 上学: 0% 休闲: 100%	Before: 13:51 After: 1:30 ↓ 89.17% 建设前: 13分51秒建设后: 1分30秒 ↓ 89.17%	661 users / 47.93% 661人 / 47.93%	—
Total 合计	13,322	M: 54.34% / F: 45.66% 男: 54.34% / 女: 45.66%	<18: 21.93% 19–35: 31.84% 36–60: 33.45% >60: 12.79% 18岁以下: 21.93% 19–35岁: 31.84% 36–60岁: 33.45% 60岁以上: 12.79%	Commuting: 1.36% School: 0.33% Leisure: 98.31% 通勤: 1.36% 上学: 0.33% 休闲: 98.31%	Avg. ↓ 48.56% 平均耗时降低 48.56%	—	—

The trail stitches fragmented urban spaces, improves green travel ratio, revitalises surrounding commerce, and provides a safe, comfortable public space for leisure, fitness and sightseeing. It strongly supports SDG 11 and the goals of the Paris Agreement.

Section 06

Citizen Wellbeing & Urban Value

BELOW

Heavy traffic, noise, and physical barriers — communities cut off from each other.

ABOVE

Residents enjoy leisure, walking, fitness, sightseeing and social activities in a shared green corridor.

Xiamen Mountains-to-Sea Trail has become Xiamen's beloved "urban balcony." The project greatly improves living experience, enhances urban vitality, strengthens community connection, and increases public happiness and sense of gain. It transforms a single transportation facility into a multi-functional public space integrating commuting, leisure, sports, tourism and ecological experience.

Fig 6: Citizens relaxing and enjoying activities on the trail

Section 07

Replication & Global Sharing

The Xiamen model provides a low-cost, replicable solution for cities worldwide facing urban fragmentation caused by elevated viaducts.

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Open Xiamen Model Toolkit

A public toolkit covering design standards, structural safety assessment, barrier-free specifications, cost breakdowns and community participation guidelines.

🌐

International Peer-Learning Network

An international network for peer learning on urban elevated corridor construction and management, fostering city-to-city knowledge exchange.

💻

Open-Source Smart Platform

Core modules of the smart trail platform open-sourced for free global adaptation and implementation by cities of all scales.

📈

Low-Cost Replication Strategies

Tailored replication strategies for cities with varying financial capacities, making the model accessible regardless of budget constraints.

Xiamen is ready to partner with international organizations, cities and stakeholders to share this inclusive, green and sustainable urban innovation model with the world.