The Comprehensive Systematic Governance Project for the Kuxi River Basin in Nan’an District, Chongqing (Phase II) addressed watershed management, erosion prevention, bank slope restoration, and sponge city construction. The objective was to improve environmental quality and enhance living conditions for urban and rural residents through a long-term ecological governance strategy.
The project required approximately 190,000 m² of slope protection and ecological restoration measures, executed in phased sections. Rather than relying on conventional hard engineering, the focus was on delivering a resilience system that combined erosion control, vegetation establishment, and constructability within the constraints of an EPC framework. Technical performance and ecological effectiveness were prioritized in this project.
The core challenge was to stabilize riverbank slopes in a way that can resist erosion, support full vegetation establishment, and remain stable throughout design life. Traditional concrete structures provided strength but limited ecological integration. The project demanded a solution that could replace rigid systems while aligning with sponge city principles and watershed restoration goals.
The selected solution required a turf reinforcement mat (TRM) plus anchor system to be installed using prefabricated construction methods. Fast installation and minimal weather-related disruption were essential in a watershed environment where construction conditions can shift quickly. At the same time, the system had to demonstrate sufficient strength, hydraulic performance, and long-term stability.
Comparisons were carried out against conventional and lower-cost facing materials. The assessment went beyond unit price, considering structural integrity, vegetation compatibility, and whole-of-system performance. Through technical review and refinement of proposal, consensus was reached on adopting a comprehensive solution using TRM with anchor rather than relying on a single facing material.
The final design incorporated 190,000 m² of PROPEX® Enviromesh™ TRM with an anchor system. The solution stabilizes the slope surface and provides an aperture ratio suitable for vegetation establishment. The pyramid structure of PROPEX Enviromesh allows root penetration and soil retention while working in tandem with the anchor system to ensure slope stability.
PROPEX Enviromesh was selected because it performs as an integral structural component rather than merely a surface‑facing layer. Its engineered pyramid structure provides high soil‑interaction efficiency, supports root penetration, and offers proven performance in resisting shear stresses. In addition, the system delivers consistent erosion protection under flow velocities of up to approximately 6 m/s when fully vegetated, enabling it to function as part of a reinforced anchoring system rather than a standalone facing material.
In summary, the project demonstrated that a holistic environmentally friendly solution using PROPEX Enviromesh can meet ecological governance objectives within budget, shorten construction periods, and deliver measurable environmental benefits.
Prefabricated construction methods were adopted to accelerate installation and reduce weather-related delays.
PROPEX Enviromesh was deployed across 190,000 m² to support vegetation establishment.
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