Application of EFDC model to waterfront planning: Case study of Tianjin Harbor Economic Zone, China

Abstract

The rationale of waterfront planning is an important issue for construction and usage. However, little attention had been given to the prediction of implementation effects and planning optimization using computational fluid mechanics. This resulted in many inharmonious problems after implementation. In this paper, the Environmental Fluid Dynamics Computer Code (EFDC) was applied and, for the first time, demonstrated successful waterfront planning. The quantitative prediction of the implementation effects and an improvement in planning feasibility were achieved. Using the Tianjin Harbor Economic Zone as an example, the planning was evaluated with regard to function, geometry, landscape, vegetation growth and water exchange. Waterfront plan was optimized based on the simulated results. Numerical results showed that the optimal plan met the planning requirements and was feasible. The present study proposed a predictive method for planning selection and optimization.