Opinion | Why Hong Kong must adopt nature-based solutions in the Northern Metropolis

The Northern Metropolis development plan faces many challenges in striking a balance between conservation and development. Although the area possesses valuable natural resources, such as wetlands, which are crucial for the city’s well-being, Hong Kong is dealing with limited land that is suitable for development, resulting in a severe shortage of living space and a stalled industrial transformation.

Developing the Northern Metropolis adjacent to the innovation and technology hub of Shenzhen is essential to improving Hongkongers’ quality of life. The plan for the San Tin Technopole, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu’s recent policy address and the Northern Metropolis Action Agenda have all individually attempted to address conservation and development but lack widespread support.

Seeking the harmonious coexistence of conservation and development, environmental activists have put an emphasis on the protection of wetland conservation areas. Is the conflict between conservation and development inevitable? Nature-based solutions could be the answer.

Nature-based solutions, introduced in the early 2000s by the World Bank and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), encompass actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore ecosystems. This concept underscores the use of functioning ecosystems to effectively address societal challenges.

Going beyond traditional conservation, the integration of nature-based solutions can meet diverse stakeholders’ needs. For instance, incorporating green building and blue-green infrastructure that follow the IUCN standard in urban planning can be effective in mitigating flooding and in climate adaptation.