The research provides practical insights for integrating NbS into the planning of Hong Kong’s rural districts to drive the city’s sustainable development.
Citing Lantau’s Mui Wo was the prime case for examination, the research outlined similar challenges faced by peri-urban landscapes in Hong Kong, highlighting the importance of balancing economic and social development with environmental conservation.
It proposes six actionable NbS for Mui Wo, also applicable to New Development Areas (NDAs): establishing a water buffalo park, developing an eco-shoreline, promoting regenerative agriculture, increasing aerial greening, building an integrated wetland treatment system, and river revitalisation.
These solutions aim to address the environmental challenges and enhance the overall sustainability of the area. The study will serve as a comprehensive guidebook for diverse stakeholders, including the government, developers and other related sectors, to prioritise sustainability in rural development, foster green financing and ultimately boost Hong Kong’s green economy.
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 Nicole Wong, Chief Executive Officer of WWF-Hong Kong at the opening ceremony.
This was followed by a panel discussion led by Wong Kam Sing, Former Secretary for the Environment, with esteemed panelists from environmental, property, utilities and urban planning sectors. These included Dr Bosco Chan, Director, Conservation of WWF-Hong Kong; Prof Rebecca Chiu, MH, JP, Honourary Professor at Department of Urban Planning and Design, University of Hong Kong, and Bartlett School of Planning, University College London; Jim Taylor, Senior Director of Planning and Development at CLP Power Hong Kong Limited; and 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 and capture the rising opportunities in TNFD (The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures) reporting.
