AECOM has announced it has been selected by the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government to conduct the Investigation Study for the Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park (SPS WCP).
Covering an area of 348 hectares, SPS WCP will be the first conservation park established under the Wetland Conservation Parks (WCPs) System proposed in the Northern Metropolis Development Strategy, introduced in 2021. This initiative aims to preserve the ecological value of the Deep Bay wetlands, boost environmental capacity in the Northern Metropolis, and foster a balance between conservation and development.
AECOM will provide comprehensive services for the investigation stage of the SPS WCP, including preliminary design, engineering infrastructure works, wetland enhancement, landscaping, environmental sustainability integration, digital monitoring, and park management. The establishment of the SPS WCP shall enhance the ecological quality and biodiversity of the Northern Metropolis, provide high-quality outdoor eco-education and recreational facilities to the public, as well as introduce modernized and sustainable aquaculture into the WCP.
"We are honored to contribute to this pioneering project within the Northern Metropolis," said Simon Wong, vice president of AECOM's Land Supply/Municipal Division in Hong Kong. "Bringing together the expertise of our ecologists, scientists, engineers and designers, along with internationally respected consultants from various disciplines, we look forward to creating a WCP that contributes to transforming Hong Kong's New Territories North into a nature-positive Northern Metropolis. Through this collaboration with CEDD and AFCD, we will showcase biodiversity and aquaculture in harmony in the SPS WCP and the wide range of benefits that nature-based solutions (NbS) can offer."
Building on the success of the recently launched Long Valley Nature Park, which employs NbS to promote urban-rural-nature integration, the SPS WCP aims to set a new global benchmark for sustainable development. The park highlights the strategic importance of the Northern Metropolis by capitalizing on opportunities for biodiversity enhancement, sustainable aquaculture, eco-education, eco-recreation, effective park management, and innovative funding arrangements.
The SPS WCP will play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, with a focus on strengthening ecological function and capacity. A sustainable management and operation framework will be implemented to encourage cross-sector collaboration, maximize conservation efforts, and support aquaculture development with potential financial returns. Advanced digital technologies, including camera traps, bioacoustics, e-DNA, artificial intelligence (AI), and Internet of Things (IoT) monitoring tools sourced from global and Mainland China markets, will be integrated to enhance project outcomes.
The development of the SPS WCP will be executed in phases, beginning with the conservation of fishponds and wetlands in the park's northern section, which are vital for sustaining the core bird flight path. Once completed, the park will provide a diverse range of wetland habitats that are essential for migratory waterbirds, including globally threatened species such as the Black-faced Spoonbill and other important wildlife such as the Eurasian otter.