2026-03-19
AECOM Supports CEDD and AFCD in Launching Hong Kong’s First Comprehensive Nature-based Solutions Guidelines to Advance Sustainable Urban Development
AECOM supported the release of the Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines (HKNbSDG), developed for the Civil Engineering Development Department (CEDD) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) of the HKSAR Government.
Developed through multidisciplinary expertise in ecology, landscape architecture, engineering, climate resilience and urban planning, the HKNbSDG provides a practical blueprint for designing, implementing, sustainably managing, and evaluating Nature-based Solutions (NbS) across diverse environmental contexts — from rivers and wetlands to coastlines and high-density urban districts.
Factoring in the characteristics of Hong Kong's natural ecology and urban development, the HKNbSDG is built on three core principles that outline a holistic approach to enhancing ecosystem diversity at multiple scales, embracing human-nature coexistence for mutual benefits, and strengthening resilience through NbS. It also includes a performance evaluation framework to support evidence-based decision-making and features local case studies, including Long Valley Nature Park and Tung Chung East Eco-shoreline.
The HKNbSDG was officially launched at the Promulgation Ceremony held on 3 March 2026 at Long Valley Nature Park. The event was officiated by Miss Diane WONG Shuk-han, JP, Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology; Mr David LAM Chi-man, JP, Under Secretary for Development; Mr Charles KARANGWA, Global Head of Nature-based Solutions Centre of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); Ir Michael FONG Hok-shing, JP, Director of CEDD; and Mr Mickey LAI Kin-ming, JP, Director of AFCD.
Factoring in the characteristics of Hong Kong's natural ecology and urban development, the HKNbSDG is built on three core principles that outline a holistic approach to enhancing ecosystem diversity at multiple scales, embracing human-nature coexistence for mutual benefits, and strengthening resilience through NbS. It also includes a performance evaluation framework to support evidence-based decision-making and features local case studies, including Long Valley Nature Park and Tung Chung East Eco-shoreline.
The HKNbSDG was officially launched at the Promulgation Ceremony held on 3 March 2026 at Long Valley Nature Park. The event was officiated by Miss Diane WONG Shuk-han, JP, Under Secretary for Environment and Ecology; Mr David LAM Chi-man, JP, Under Secretary for Development; Mr Charles KARANGWA, Global Head of Nature-based Solutions Centre of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN); Ir Michael FONG Hok-shing, JP, Director of CEDD; and Mr Mickey LAI Kin-ming, JP, Director of AFCD.
The ceremony featured an introduction to the HKNbSDG by Mr Stephen SUEN, Director of Landscape Architecture at AECOM, followed by a panel discussion on building cross-sector partnerships to reverse nature and biodiversity loss through NbS.
Learn more about the Hong Kong Nature-based Solutions Design Guidelines here.