Over the course of its long-term development, Xiamen Island has annexed small surrounding islands through land reclamation and other means, resulting in a sharp decrease in wetland areas.

The Heron Culture is a symbol of Xiamen City and is closely tied to the city's economy, politics, and culture. Xiamen Island is an important heron reserve, but their ecosystem has been damaged by the annexation of the islands, resulting in a decline in their population and raising concerns about biodiversity.

I propose a plan to change Xiamen Island's development pattern, which currently relies on land reclamation and island development, and to explore a new system in which the heron ecosystem and Xiamen City develop together. At the same time, ecological corridors will be designed to connect fragmented habitats and support the recovery of the heron ecosystem.

My design focuses on establishing a feedback loop between Xiamen's urban development and improvements to the heron ecosystem. Read more


Academic Supervisor: Prof. Laurent Gutierrez, Ms Adriana Caplova
Key SDGs targeted:  13 Climate Action, 14 Life Below Water, 15 Life on Land