2024-10-27-IUCN-厦门实践——沿海城市发展中融入自然解决方案的案例研究（英）_27页_754kb

Xiamen Practice – A Case Study of Integrating Nature-based Solutions in Coastal Development

Core Content

Xiamen, a coastal city in Fujian Province, China, serves as a notable example of integrating Nature-based Solutions (NbS) into urban development. Over the past 30 years, the city has implemented a series of ecological protection, restoration, and sustainable development initiatives that align with the principles of ecological civilisation, particularly Xi Jinping Thought on Eco-civilisation. These efforts have not only improved the city's resilience to climate change and environmental degradation but have also enhanced the well-being of its residents and biodiversity.

Main Milestones

• 1985: Xi Jinping, then Vice Mayor of Xiamen, highlighted the need for stricter regulations on quarrying and sand mining, initiating the city's ecological protection efforts.
• 1986: Xiamen introduced Provisional Regulations on the Protection and Management of Sand, Stone, and Soil Resources, requiring quarrying and remediation programmes before any mining activities.
• 1988: The Xiamen Economic and Social Development Strategy for 1985–2000 was formulated, making it the first Chinese development plan to include ecological protection as a key objective.
• 1988: An integrated management scheme for Yundang Lake was proposed, covering legal compliance, wastewater treatment, and shoreline restoration.
• 1993: Xiamen was designated as a coastal integrated management (ICM) demonstration site by the Chinese government, and has continued ICM practices for over two decades.
• 2018: The State Council issued a notice to protect coastal wetlands and restrict land reclamation, prompting Xiamen to halt new reclamation projects.
• 2020: Xiamen launched the citizen lake-chief model, encouraging public participation in river and lake protection.

Key Measures and Results

Ecological Protection and Restoration

• Xiamen has implemented spatial planning and Ecological Red Lines (ERLs), protecting over 303,69 km² of land and sea.
• The removal of seven seawalls has restored natural hydrological processes, improving connectivity and habitat for coastal species.
• Yundang Lake and other wetlands have been restored through policies that focus on wastewater management, shoreline protection, and ecological buffer zones.
• Wuyuan Bay and Xinglin Bay have seen significant ecological recovery after the removal of seawalls and dykes, enhancing biodiversity and recreational value.

Sustainable Community Development

• Mountainous communities in northwestern Xiamen have shifted from destructive practices (e.g., charcoal production) to afforestation, fruit and tea cultivation, and eco-tourism.
• These initiatives have contributed to poverty alleviation, increasing per capita annual income from CNY 200 in 1986 to over CNY 40,000 by 2023.
• Policies such as the 2015 Opinions on Accelerating the Transformation of the Mode of Agricultural Development have expanded the role of productive landscapes to include recreation, tourism, and cultural heritage.

Green Transformation of Mining Sites

• Over 100 abandoned mining sites have been rehabilitated through artificial restoration, natural rehabilitation, and reutilisation.
• The Xiamen Industrial District is an example of transforming a former quarry into a high-tech eco-industrial zone.

Financing and Public Participation

• Xiamen has established a dedicated ecological fund and successfully engaged private capital through PPP models, franchising, green credit, and disaster insurance.
• The city has pioneered marine and agricultural carbon trading platforms, achieving significant carbon credits (e.g., 140,000 tonnes of marine carbon trading and 270,000 tonnes of agricultural carbon trading).
• The citizen lake-chief model has increased public awareness and involvement in environmental protection.

Main Viewpoints

• NbS are defined as actions that protect, sustainably manage, and restore ecosystems to address societal challenges while benefiting both people and biodiversity.
• Integrated management and holistic planning are central to Xiamen’s success, ensuring that ecological and socioeconomic goals are aligned.
• Public participation and multi-stakeholder collaboration have been crucial in achieving long-term environmental and developmental outcomes.
• Economic development and ecological conservation are not mutually exclusive but can be synergistic, as seen in Xiamen’s transformation into a high-value eco-friendly city.

Key Information

• Xiamen covers 1,699 km² of land and 333 km² of sea, with over 5 million residents.
• The city has nearly 2,000 marine species, including national first-class protected animals like the Pacific lancelet and Chinese white dolphin.
• Xiamen has implemented sponge city initiatives, enhancing urban resilience to flooding and water management.
• The city has been a pioneer in ICM and NbS integration, setting a global example for sustainable coastal development.

Outlook

• Xiamen aims to enhance public participation and stakeholder involvement in decision-making to ensure long-term sustainability.
• The city will continue to balance development and conservation by optimising land use and addressing climate change through resilient ecosystems.
• Private investment and innovative financing mechanisms will play an increasing role in supporting NbS and ecological projects.
• The vision of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature remains the guiding principle for Xiamen’s sustainable development.

Conclusion

Xiamen's approach to integrating Nature-based Solutions in coastal development has demonstrated the effectiveness of combining ecological protection, sustainable community development, and innovative financing. By prioritising long-term planning, public engagement, and multi-functional landscapes, the city has become a global model for achieving sustainable development in coastal areas.