The Nature Conservancy (USA) Beijing Representative Office
The Pitch
The Shanghai Habitat Garden Network transformed fragmented, underused urban land into biodiverse micro-habitats co-designed and co-managed by communities, building a connected ecological network that strengthens climate resilience, restores urban biodiversity and fosters social inclusion across Shanghai.
The Problem
Rapid urbanization in Shanghai has left the city with disconnected green spaces, declining biodiversity and limited everyday access to nature, particularly for older adults, people with disabilities and children.
The Process
- Converted underused and degraded urban land into small-scale native habitats using low-cost, low-maintenance ecological design such as compost bins, permeable paving, rain gardens and native plant species
- Designed each garden for universal accessibility, with ramps, sensory features and age-friendly seating, ensuring older adults, children and people with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities could participate fully
- Established the Habitat Cooperative Stewardship model, uniting government, NGOs, universities, businesses and residents to give communities formal co-management authority through site agreements
- Trained residents, including stay-at-home mothers and student volunteers, to lead nature education, biodiversity monitoring and camera-trap research, turning garden users into stewards and stakeholders
- Embedded the model into formal city planning, including the Changning District's Five-Year Plan, Shanghai's Territorial Space Ecological Restoration Plan and the Shanghai Biodiversity Conservation Strategy, creating institutional support and a path to citywide replication
- Published peer-reviewed research on garden design, biodiversity outcomes and social perception, generating an evidence base to support replication in other cities and inform national biodiversity policy
The Impact
- Expanded from a single pilot in 2019 to a 27-garden network covering nearly 19,000 square meters by the end of 2024
- Opened a new waterfront garden in Pudong in 2025, demonstrating continued momentum for the model
- Restored 20,000 square meters of native vegetation, supporting 450+ plant species and 90+ wildlife species, including 39 bird species and 40+ pollinators
- Reached an estimated 60,000 direct and 100,000 indirect beneficiaries, with over 500 community events driving sustained local engagement
- Achieved more than 90% resident-rated educational value in a 363-person survey, demonstrating the role of gardens in increasing environmental learning and raising public awareness
- Recognized at COP15 and by China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment, positioning the project as an example for cities facing similar biodiversity and social inclusion challenges
