This project explores how landscape design can contribute to rebalancing flood prevention, ecological resilience, and productive land use within the Jing River Flood Storage Area (JRFSA), a key node in China’s middle Yangtze River flood control system. Located in the densely cultivated Jianghan Plain, the area faces a growing mismatch between large-scale flood management strategies and the everyday realities of agricultural production, ecological degradation, and rural development. Through the concept of Cascading Floodspace, the design introduces a multi-layered spatial framework that divides the floodplain into adaptive zones with differentiated flooding frequencies, land use patterns, and ecological functions. These zones support flood-responsive agriculture, habitat diversity, and seasonal tourism, while allowing for long-term landscape transformation without immediate disruption. The project operates across multiple scales—from regional water networks to site-specific interventions—and repositions the role of the landscape architect as both a spatial strategist and a mediator between competing values: risk and livelihood, ecology and economy, permanence and change.

The post-mining transition presents a critical challenge in regions where resource extraction has historically shaped local economies and landscapes. This study explores the applicability of water harvesting and conservation techniques in the Phalaborwa region of South Africa, with a focus on fostering post-mining agricultural development. Through a multi-scalar analysis incorporating geographic and environmental assessments, we evaluate the potential of various water harvesting & conservation strategies to support sustainable land use transformation. Our findings highlight the opportunities and constraints associated with implementing these techniques in a post-mining context, emphasizing the role of integrated water harvesting & conservation strategies in enhancing agricultural productivity and environmental resilience. The study contributes to the broader MineLives project by aligning with its objective of developing viable socio-ecological strategies for post-mining landscapes, providing valuable insights for policymakers and local stakeholders seeking to revitalize the region’s agricultural potential.

This multidisciplinary report explores the transition potential of the Phalaborwa region, South Africa, from a mining-focused economy to one that integrates sustainable water, energy, and food (WEF) systems in a post extractive setting. Set within a semi-arid climate with significant resource challenges, the study assesses WEF capacities to propose strategic, sustainable development solutions. Analysing critical issues like water scarcity, renewable energy potential, and soil management, the study presents frameworks for sustainable agriculture, water management, and energy solutions to support post-mining economic resilience. Through a multidisciplinary methodology that integrates engineering assessments and urban planning, the report addresses critical biophysical resource issues. The findings emphasize the region’s unique resource inter dependencies, outlining frameworks for post-mining development that strengthen resilience to climate pressures and resource limitations. Ultimately, this study provides actionable insights for creating a balanced, sustain able future for Phalaborwa and the surrounding area. Although the study proposes frameworks that could inform similar transitions in other semi-arid, resource-constrained regions, it also emphasizes the importance of addressing the unique complexities of each area to ensure that solutions are appropriately tailored.