Biodiversity

Our biodiversity study of the Taikoo Place redevelopment project, completed in mid-2020, aimed to evaluate the state of urban biodiversity after the completion of the redevelopment.

Conducted in partnership with a professor from the University of Hong Kong, the study’s objectives were to:

• Develop a baseline of the urban biodiversity of the current Taikoo Place.
• Evaluate the urban biodiversity after the completion of the Taikoo Place redevelopment project.
• Propose measures in the master landscape plan to further enhance urban biodiversity in the future.

The study also involved an extensive literature review and a baseline survey of biodiversity in the Taikoo Place area. The results revealed that:

• The redevelopment project allowed the creation of a substantial landscaped area, amounting to 35% of Taikoo Place, which is highly beneficial from an urban forestry perspective.
• The inclusion of large-sized native tree species has made Taikoo Place more attractive to urban biodiversity.

In mid-2021, meetings were conducted with project teams and the management offices of all our Hong Kong properties to share the results. These included discussions about local species and biodiversity and emphasised the importance of green corridors that support the movement of birds and butterflies between parks. These suggestions will be integrated into future planning and operations across our Hong Kong portfolio. We have also installed QR codes near trees in both Taikoo Square and Taikoo Garden. These will give visitors more information on individual trees and how they might preserve and promote urban biodiversity.

Part of the Taikoo Place redevelopment involves creating new open space and developing a new character for the landscape. By creating an iconic landscape and designing a planting procedure that promotes biodiversity and biophilic design, we are encouraging visitors to reconnect with nature.

Much effort was put into prioritising biodiversity in Taikoo Square and Taikoo Garden on the site, including:

• Procuring “feng shui woodland” tree species including Endospermum chinense, Sarcosperma laurinum and Sterculia lanceolata seedlings from the local Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden that will be planted on site.
• Developing a biodiversity database with technical data on plants such as their botanical names, flowering period and other interesting facts. This database will be compatible with mobile applications such as the Taikoo Social App to provide a virtual “green tour” of the space. The database will also allow long-term monitoring of the biodiversity status of our properties.
• Using active positioning technology such as Bluetooth beacons to interact with visitors’ devices. For example, a visitor standing in front of a specific tree in Taikoo Garden may have their smartphone come alive with facts about the tree and its associated biodiversity and wildlife – creating a fun and engaging experience that promotes biodiversity conservation.

Rocky Bank is a residential redevelopment project involving six existing semi-detached houses being demolished and two luxury detached houses built on the site.

Occupying about one-third of the site area is a natural slope with lush vegetation. A professor from Hong Kong University was appointed to conduct a baseline biodiversity study, including a plant and animal survey of the site, and offer a design review focusing on assessing the project’s ecological impacts.

The study suggested that works should endeavour to keep the site’s back slope undisturbed, and that two species of small plants with high biodiversity value discovered on-site should be moved to another location that will not be disturbed by construction works. Subsequently, plant species with high biodiversity value were transplanted, while a more detailed list of plants on-site was developed to ensure the existing biodiversity value was retained. The team also worked to retain as many trees as possible, while also developing a comprehensive strategy for the compensation of lost trees. The next stage involves preparing a full ecological impact reduction report.