Female landscape designer fosters economic growth through biodiversity care

During her academic research and professional practice, distinguished Chinese landscape designer Wang Yihui has consistently focused on promoting biodiversity care and sustainable urban economies, seeking to deliver both environmental and economic benefits.

During her studies at the University of Pennsylvania, Wang participated in several projects across the United States and Puerto Rico, and delved into climate-adaptive landscapes, exploring how ecological strategies can be applied across diverse urban public spaces to maximize their economic potential.

In the Little Stream Living project — her first design project, she addressed the impact of Hurricane Sandy on the New Jersey coastline, proposing landscape planning strategies to strengthen coastal cities' resilience and mitigate economic losses from natural disasters.

While examining the effects of rising sea levels on coastal wetlands and developing an ecological corridor-based wetland conservation strategy, she called for fostering urban-wetland symbiosis, protecting wetland resources, and creating economic growth opportunities for industries such as tourism and fisheries.

She said another project that integrates ecology and economic development is based in the municipality of Toa Baja, located across the bay of San Juan, Puerto Rico. This area faces threats from rising sea levels, hurricanes, urban and riverine flooding, habitat loss for endangered species, stagnant agricultural development, food shortages, and a lack of vibrant public spaces.

Under the guidance of Wang's studio instructor, the team developed a comprehensive landscape planning strategy aimed at enhancing ecological resilience, improving residents' quality of life, and fostering regional sustainability.

Further to this, Wang's design group developed the Food Generator concept, proposing a wetland-based agroecological model tailored to local climatic conditions and vegetation types.

Wang stressed that amid global climate change, ecological design has become a critical issue in landscape and urban design.

In her professional practice, Wang said, she continued to implement ecological design principles, exploring how ecological strategies can be applied across diverse urban public spaces to maximize their economic potential.

"Whether creating ecologically rich linear urban greenways or transforming underutilized, fragmented sites within high-density cities, ecological design plays a crucial role in urban space regeneration, delivering both environmental and economic benefits," she noted.

For example, she said, incorporating urban forests, wetlands, and storm water management systems can effectively mitigate the urban heat island effect, regulate microclimates, and increase surrounding property values and commercial appeal.

These enhancements, in turn, drive real estate market growth, stimulate business activity, and invigorate local economies, creating opportunities for cultural and creative industries as well as tourism, unlocking new avenues for urban economic growth, Wang said.

Wang believes that green infrastructure, biodiversity corridors, and nature-based solutions will play a pivotal role in the future of urban landscape design, serving as a driving force for sustainable urban economies.

By integrating ecological strategies into landscape design, Wang aspires to create green job opportunities, enhance city branding and competitiveness, and drive the transition toward a greener, more sustainable urban economy.

Please contact the writer at hanjingyan@chinadaily.com.cn