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Arup has recently released a joint research report with WWF-Hong Kong. A collaborative effort that kick-started last August, the report, titled “Designing a Sustainable Rural Township With Nature-based Solutions”, provides practical insights for integrating Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into the planning of Hong Kong’s rural districts to drive the city’s sustainable development.

Citing Mui Wo in Lantau as the prime case for examination, the research proposes six actionable NbS solutions for Mui Wo, also applicable to new development areas (NDAs): regenerative agriculture, eco-shoreline, aerial greening, river restoration, integrated wetland treatment system, and water buffalo park. 

These solutions aim to address the environmental challenges and enhance the overall sustainability of the area. The study, completed with the NbS approaches’ design elements, implementation factors, and a self-evaluation based on the IUCN Global Standard, serves as a comprehensive guidebook for the government, developers and other related sectors, in particular in the face of the Northern Metropolis development.

A launch event was held on 17 April, featuring speeches by Dr Vincent CHENG, Arup Fellow and East Asia Climate and Sustainability Services Leader, and Ms Nicole WONG, Chief Executive Officer of the WWF-Hong Kong at the opening ceremony.

This was followed by a panel discussion moderated by Mr WONG Kam-sing, Former Secretary for the Environment, The Hong Kong SAR Government. Speakers included Dr Bosco CHAN, Director of Conservation at WWF-Hong Kong; Prof. Rebecca CHIU, Honourary Professor at Department of Urban Planning and Design, University of Hong Kong, and Bartlett School of Planning, University College London; Mr Jim TAYLOR, Senior Director of Planning and Development at CLP Power Hong Kong Limited; and Ms Claudia YU, East Asia Nature Positive Design Leader at Arup. The business leaders across industries shed light on how to implement NbS in Hong Kong’s NDAs.

The event provided a cross-sector collaboration platform as participants from property, utilities, urban planning and other related industries were gathered. Attendees were able to gain valuable insights into the practical applications of NbS, as well as its role in future regional planning, community cohesion and social integration in Hong Kong’s NDAs. More importantly, the occasion provided an invaluable opportunity for all to contribute their ideas in shaping the future of Hong Kong’s sustainable urban development.

Learn more: https://www.arup.com/news-and-events/arup-and-wwf-to-establish-nature-based-solutions-standards-for-hong-kongs-rural-development 

(From left to right) ; Dr Bosco CHAN, Director of Conservation at WWF-Hong Kong; Prof. Rebecca CHIU, Honourary Professor at Department of Urban Planning and Design, University of Hong Kong, and Bartlett School of Planning, University College London; Ms Nicole WONG, Chief Executive Officer of the WWF-Hong Kong; Dr Vincent CHENG, Arup Fellow and East Asia Climate and Sustainability Services Leader; Mr WONG Kam-sing, Former Secretary for the Environment, The Hong Kong SAR Government; Mr Jim TAYLOR, Senior Director of Planning and Development at CLP Power Hong Kong Limited; and Ms Claudia YU, East Asia Nature Positive Design Leader at Arup, gathered to share insight on sustainability development in Hong Kong.