A RESILIENT COASTAL NEW TOWN

He Yifan Song Qihang

As global warming is causing sea level rising and weather changes, the frequency of flooding in Yuen Long has reached 4.7 times average per year. The existing coastal village is vulnerable to the extreme weather. Based on detailed site analysis, this project presents a vision at two different levels. At the regional level, a new leisure and tourism area is proposed here, to take advantage of the natural amenities and well connected location. This function could serve residents of the local New Towns, as well as from the wider Hong Kong territory. At the local level, community and leisure hub is proposed, to create new linkages among the three neighbouring New Towns through combining blue and green infrastructure systems and existing road networks.

The overall design strategies of the project are aimed at creating resilient blue and green ecosystems, preserving and renovating valuable villages, improving road networks and public transport systems and introducing a mixedfunction community development model. This project incorporates a variety of public spaces and a waterfront facing boulevard.

Instead of rigid concrete seawalls, natural systems such as mudflats and mangrove forest can provide more adaptable storm defenses.

Drainage channels can be used to activate recreational routes and park areas, using a two-stage principle to accommodate high demand.

Buffer areas integrated in the drainage channel system can provide attractive water features that strengthen the character and value of new residential areas. Buildings can be equiped with water collecting roof gardens, connected to the ground to support an ‘urban sponge’ strategy

The inner waterfront, as a unique area, is focal area for the new community. It is surrounded by public open spaces, parks, and terraced buildings containing active street front functions such as restaurants and co-working spaces. It is not only a good place for those who work and live here to relax, but also a unique waterfront space for visitors.

The seaside promenade provides a variety of activity places for different groups of people, including nearby families, tourists, the elderly, as well as working people. Conceived as a three-dimensional landscape inviting intergenerational play, it allows for climbing, play, watching the sea, visiting cultural buildings and experiencing cultural events.

NEW TOWN 5.0

This section contains work by the following contributors

Zheng Yixin

ZhangYuetin

Cheng Sifan

Wang Yuxin

Liu Xiaoya

Zhang Qian He Yifan

Song Qihang