The increasingly frequent occurrences of extreme weather events have posed challenges to our traditional infrastructure, calling for more resilient solutions. Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) offers a sustainable alternative founded on interdisciplinary collaboration between engineers and landscape architects. This approach strategically integrates natural processes into the urban environment, merging technical precision for water management with visionary design for multi-functional public spaces. The result is a transformation of conventional infrastructure into assets that cool the city, nurture biodiversity, and enhance community well-being.

What are blue-green resources?

BGI is a network that integrates “blue” elements such as ponds, streams, and wetlands with “green” elements including parks, gardens and vegetated swales. This integrated system delivers multiple benefits: it enhances biodiversity by creating habitats for wildlife, improves air quality and contributes to urban cooling, and provides attractive and tranquil recreational spaces for the public. Hong Kong has significant natural advantages, with 70% of its land area covered by vegetation and 40% designated as country parks. By consciously incorporating these resources into the urban infrastructure system, we can build a stronger, and more resilient city in harmony with nature.

Where can we find good examples of BGI in Hong Kong?

Inspiring examples include the revitalised Jordan Valley Nullah with its vegetated banks and fish ladders; the photogenic Tsui Ping River with its smart water gate, water cascades and landscape decks; and the soonto- open Tseung Kwan O South Waterfront Promenade. The promenade will feature grassy retention ponds and vegetated rain gardens. It will also provide a range of recreational facilities such as jogging trails, ball courts, fitness stations and playgrounds. These places showcase BGI’s multiple benefits, and we warmly invite you to visit them. For more information on these and other blue-green landscape projects, please subscribe to our GLTMS IG @hk.trees. landscape (viewable on Instagram; content in Chinese only) or scan the QR code below.

This article is contributed by the Development Bureau of the HKSAR Government.