The 2025 International Habitat Green Award (YSE Green Award), the highest award in the global field of human settlements, was recently announced. Two projects meticulously designed by Shenzhen Urban Transport Planning Center Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "SUTPC") – "Non-demonstration Section of the West Lake Greenway (Blueway)" and "Comprehensive Improvement Project of Core Roads in Bao'an Central District" – both won awards in the Park Green Space Landscape Design category. SUTPC continues to explore the "landscape+" cross-border integration paradigm, creating intelligent and sustainable new scenarios for urban human settlements.

Non-demonstration Section of the West Lake Greenway (Blueway)

The West Lake Greenway (Blueway) started full-scale construction in October 2023 and was officially opened to the public on February 22, 2025. As a benchmark demonstration project of Shenzhen's "Mountain-Sea Connection" initiative, this 16.2-kilometer ecological corridor (including 3.7 kilometers of the first phase) adheres to the design concept of "low disturbance, light construction, and authenticity". It connects cities, villages, mountains, and water systems, forming a spatial pattern of "one loop with nine scenic spots" and creating a forest reception hall of over 1.2 million square meters where humans and nature coexist harmoniously.

The project prioritizes ecological protection and follows the construction model of "low interference and light intervention". It has established Shenzhen's first promotable and replicable technical system integrating greenways and blueways with all natural elements, carrying out full-factor design from planning evaluation and design implementation to management and operation. Since its opening, it has attracted nearly 570,000 visitors, and its multiple values have been widely recognized by society:

Improvement of ecological and living environment: The greenway retains the original orchards and farms, incorporates the theme of farming experience, and adds ecological, sports and leisure functions. It has significantly improved the local ecological environment and residents' quality of life, attracted a large number of tourists, and driven the upgrading of surrounding businesses and villages.

Promotion of social and economic development: The greenway has effectively activated the consumption vitality of the surrounding area, attracted a large number of visitors, and injected new impetus into the regional economy. At the same time, the project is deeply coupled with the Xili Lake International Science and Education City, building a symbiotic pattern of "technological innovation forest + ecological green core", which strongly promotes the high-quality development of the region.

Enhancement of community cohesion and public life quality: The greenway has become an important place for community residents to socialize and relax. In the future, dozens of public welfare activities (such as film seasons, concerts, cycling races) will be held every year to enhance community interaction and cohesion.

Integration of education and scientific research: The greenway cleverly connects universities, research institutes and industrial parks, promotes the flow of knowledge, talents and technologies, and accelerates the in-depth integration of industry, academia and research.

Comprehensive Improvement Project of Core Roads in Bao'an Central District

Driven by the goal of continuously enhancing residents' sense of gain and happiness, the project carries out an overall renovation of street spaces, commercial squares, public green spaces, etc. It aims to create a benchmark for the central urban area with complete road functions, scientifically divided interfaces, and high aesthetic value and quality standards. The project realizes more convenient external transportation, a more barrier-free travel environment, and a more pleasant street experience, further establishing the international image of Bao'an Central District.

The First "Direct Access to the Sea" Urban Center: It aims to create the most vibrant tourism, culture, and consumption street space in the Greater Bay Area. Through a coherent road and pedestrian system, and humanized, differentiated design of site landscapes, it also promotes industrial upgrading, forms an environment integrating efficient office work and leisure life, and realizes a wonderful journey from the city to the sea.

A Freely Accessible Street Shared by All: It solves traffic problems such as road congestion and random parking, making cycling and walking in the area safer and more friendly. At the same time, the street walkways are treated with "zero-level difference" to eliminate various obstacles, allowing citizens to enjoy a more convenient and comfortable travel environment.

An Interesting Tour Experience: Several high-vitality check-in spots have been planned, along with the setting of children's amusement sprays and interactive technological lights, making the tourism and commerce in the area more attractive and injecting new vitality into citizens' public life.

A Comfortable Environment for Leisure Stays Anytime: The roadside greenery and the space in front of commercial areas are open to the public, creating a grand and simple environmental atmosphere. By adding flowering trees, improving tree shade, and setting up street green spaces, it ensures that residents can stop for a rest, relax, and get close to nature at any time within their daily living radius.

In recent years, the landscape design projects completed by SUTPC in Shenzhen have won more than ten heavyweight international awards. For example, the Comprehensive Improvement Project of Transportation Facilities and Spatial Environment in Futian Central District has won the London Design Award and the New York Design Award; the Baihua Child-Friendly Block Project won the 2021 IFLA Asia-Pacific Region Landscape Architecture Excellence Award; the Shangbu Green Corridor Project won the 2021 IFLA AAPME Excellence Award; and the Design Project of the Comprehensive Traffic Reconstruction of Binhai Avenue (Headquarters Base Section) won the Hong Kong Institute of Planners Greater Bay Area Outstanding Planning Award.

SUTPC continues to explore the new paradigm of 'landscape+' cross-border integration, and through the collaboration of multiple disciplines such as transportation, digital technology, smart solutions, and operation, it creates more intelligent and sustainable urban living scenarios, writing a new chapter of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.