Suncheon City Wetland Visitor Centre

WWT Consulting attended a series of workshops in August 2011, to provide advice and recommendations for design of wetland habitat and visitor centre experience for the ECOGEO Expo 2013 site. The project will develop over 100 ha of land into wetlands, formal botanical gardens and many different attractions for the Expo. A new visitor centre will act as a gateway for visiting the sensitive bay habitat and help to reduce disturbance through controlled visitor access. Three million people already visit the wetlands each year, which are famous for their circular reed formations and as wintering grounds for an internationally important population of Hooded Crane Grus monacha.

Following the workshops, we developed concept designs for the 4 ha area in front of the centre, which connects it with Suncheon Bay. We designed an enjoyable and informative experience, which will also encourage wild birds. The wetland is designed to attenuate stormwater from a flood alleviation channel that drains an upstream residential area. Floating islands, boardwalk and hides are incorporated to allow visitor access during flood phases, as the water levels will have a 1.7m range. Landforms were included to improve water quality by trapping silt from the flood alleviation channel.