HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 5 March 2026 - The Town Planning Board (TPB) will hold a hearing tomorrow for public representations on the new Ngau Tam Mei (NTM) Outline Zoning Plan. The traditional farming landscape in NTM has existed for over a hundred years. This rural township has also preserved the industry of ornamental fish aquaculture (particularly koi), an industry that has almost disappeared in Hong Kong. In terms of ecology, NTM is closely linked with the Deep Bay wetlands and the future Sam Po Shue Wetland Conservation Park, and supports Eurasian Otter and many wetland birds. In view of these, the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA) and World Wide Fund for Nature Hong Kong (WWF) are proposing four enhancement recommendations, which aims to conserve traditional cultural and historic heritage, build public spaces that can be used by both human and wildlife under the "single site, multiple use" model, and transform NTM into an iconic town of rural ecotourism in the Northern Metropolis.

When proposing these enhancement recommendations, HKILA and WWF aim to:

Details of the four enhancement recommendations are as follows:

Mr. Paul Chan, President of HKILA, pointed out that

: "Through close collaboration between HKILA and WWF, our joint recommendations for Ngau Tam Mei bring together landscape and ecological considerations, aligning with Greater Bay Area strategies such as ecological priority and green development. Transforming existing koi farms and other habitats into thematic parks and blue-green corridors will foster urban-rural integration, promote innovative ecotourism, and build a high-quality, healthy, and biodiverse community that balances growth with diversified landscape."

Dr. Bosco Chan, Director, Conservation of WWF, shared that "The rural landscapes and traditional cultural heritage of Ngau Tam Mei represent a unique opportunity to integrate nature-based solutions into the Northern Metropolis. Our joint recommendations leverage the existing wildlife habitats and thematic local industries to preserve biodiversity, enhance climate resilience, and develop innovative rural tourism. Ultimately, our aim is to create shared spaces where people and wildlife can thrive together, not just in Ngau Tam Mei but also across the Northern Metropolis."

HKILA and WWF will attend the public hearing held by the TPB on 6 March to brief the TPB members on our recommendations. HKILA and WWF hope that the TPB and the relevant government departments would consider and adopt our proposal, creating a quality, healthy and green Northern Metropolis. HKILA and WWF also hope that the Government will maintain the dialogue with relevant stakeholders on the development and planning of the Northern Metropolis to achieve a win-win situation.
Hashtag: #WWFHK #HKILA #Townplanningboard #NbS



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Established in 1988, The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects is a body incorporated by The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects Incorporation Ordinance (Cap. 1162), with the objects, among others, to promote the advancement of landscape architecture, raise the standard and maintain the integrity of the landscape architectural profession, and to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas in relation to all aspects of landscape architecture and matters in connection with the landscape architectural profession.

WWF is a leading global conservation organization, with a network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. WWFHong Kong has been working since 1981 to deliver solutions for a living planet through conservation, footprint and education programmes, with the aim of transforming Hong Kong into asia's most sustainable city.

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