Inclusive Design for All – Human and Ecology

Abstract

This paper examines the complex challenge of balancing urban development with the preservation of natural ecosystems in Hong Kong, a city with less than 25% of its land developed but facing significant housing affordability issues due to its high population density of approximately 8 million residents. Despite the city’s 78.7% vegetated land area, urbanization pressures necessitate expanding urban edges into mountainous regions, presenting opportunities to integrate ecological considerations into city planning. The paper highlights two key research projects addressing these challenges. The first research project “Adaptive Landscapes” is to explore how sustainable growth and reasonable density can be achieved while allowing urban landscapes to coexist with and support natural ecosystems. The project will be sampling some recently built projects at buildings scale to landscape scales; attempt in inserting/recreating urban landscape while colonizing nature. For example, Hong Kong owns a good amount of wetlands that have been serving a rich and diverse animal ecology; how should we have sustainable growth and with reasonable density for both to co-exist? What are some opportunities that urban policy makers could review and consider under the ESG framework? The second is a research project “Human-Planet Public Objects” on documenting existing small-scale urban design projects and to reimagine more animal inclusive design ideas within our city. The project looks into the extremely close yet incredibly far relationship between human and other species within our urban landscape. The project reflects on the conventional way of user-centric design approach, which is human focused and may not be a sustainable approach in long run due to rapid urbanization and climate change. Both projects employ case studies, field observations, and interviews to gather data, aiming to develop sustainable and ecologically conscious urban environments that prioritize the coexistence of humans and nature. By exploring innovative approaches and considering the broader implications of urbanization and climate change, these projects seek to create urban landscapes that are resilient, inclusive, and supportive of diverse ecosystems.