REDEFINE BUFFER ZONE
ECOLOGICAL URBANISM AT THE SHENZHEN-HONG KONG FRONTIER
Context
Located within the shrinking 'Frontier Closed Area' (FCA), the site sits at the critical junction of two expanding megalopolises: Shenzhen and Hong Kong. As the border softens, this unique buffer zone faces immense pressure from urban sprawl. The project challenges the traditional method of 'filling in' the gap, proposing instead a strategy that prioritises ecological resilience alongside high-density development.
Design Strategy
The proposal utilises a 'Learn from Wildlife' approach to define urban form. By analysing the disparate needs of Hong Kong (compact, ageing population) and Shenzhen (sprawling, young workforce), the design weaves a shared "Third Space" that serves both. Key strategies include:
- Wildlife Corridors: Establishing continuous green belts and wetland systems that allow animal migration to coexist with urban transit.
- Blue-Green Infrastructure: Retaining existing fish ponds for water purification and micro-climate regulation.
- Adaptive Phasing (2017–2060): A dynamic master plan that grows over time. The site transitions from a low-density Resource Center (FAR 0.56) to a high-density Mixed-Use District (FAR 3.0), allowing the ecosystem to recover before full urbanization occurs.
