A long-term framework guiding Hong Kong’s coastal planning and development to bolster infrastructure resilience against storm surges and overtopping waves, while supporting the sustainable use of coastlines for communities and eco-tourism.
Hong Kong’s coastal communities face increasing exposure to storm surges, overtopping waves and rising sea levels as climate change accelerates. The city’s varied terrain, with its islands and bays as well as dense waterfront development, creates complex coastal conditions that call for tailored planning and design. In response to this evolving extreme weather risk profile, the Hong Kong Government has stepped up efforts to protect lives, property and the infrastructure they depend on.
Working with the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD), we developed the Shoreline Management Guideline (SMG) for Coastal Development. This long-term framework provides a consistent approach to assessing and managing coastal hazards across new and existing developments.
Turning research into practical guidance
The SMG builds on a foundation of our previous studies including the Coastal Hazards Study (2021) which identified 26 vulnerable areas, and the Shoreline Management Plan Study (2024) which examined long-term coastal risks and set out management strategies for existing and future shorelines.
Drawing on these insight, SMG translates technical analysis into practical guidance including how to assess coastal hazards and introduces internationally adopted strategies and practices. It helps stakeholders, including those who operate businesses in coastal or waterfront areas, put appropriate protective measures in place.
This is particularly relevant as Hong Kong continues to promote eco‑tourism and enhance waterfront destinations, alongside efforts to develop the yacht economy. Ensuring these areas are accessible and resilient is key to balancing environmental protection, public safety and sustainable economic activity.
Recognizing that investing only in infrastructure alone cannot prevent flooding risk most effectively or cost-efficiently, the guideline advocates a broader view that combines a structured planning process and an integrated strategy to strengthen Hong Kong’s adaptive and resilient capacity over time.
A clear framework for risk-based planning and design
The guideline outlines six steps that bring structure to coastal planning:
Step 1: Data collection
Step 2: Assessing the likelihood of coastal hazards
Step 3: Examining the severity of consequences
Step 4: Applying resilience-focused approaches and design practices, including the Progressive Adaptive Approach (PAA) and the Adaptation, Resilience and Management (ARM) strategy to provide multi-layered protection
Step 5: Implementing measures to address coastal risks and climate change
Step 6: Monitoring and reporting
This structured approach supports more informed decision making by connecting scientific analysis with planning and design practice, aligns with Hong Kong’s Climate Action Plan 2050 and encourages solutions that are tailored to local conditions while remaining adaptable to future climate scenarios.
A multi-layered strategy for flood risk management
The SMG sets out an integrated strategy built on three pillars to protect both new and existing coastal developments:
- Adaptation: building structures such as wave walls to reduce the impact of flooding
- Resilience: adopting temporary or non-structural flood control measures to enable speedy recovery
- Management: strengthening emergency preparedness and information dissemination to raise public awareness
This multi-layered protection design brings together four elements: a first line of defense along the coastline, a second line of defense behind the coastline, sound interior and exterior design practices for buildings, as well as community awareness and preparedness.
Example of multi-layered protection design
Wave Wall – 1st layer protection to reduce the coastal risks at the source
Glass Flood Wall – 2nd layer protection to further reduce the risks by confining the flood extent
Demountable Flood Barrier – 3rd layer protection to manage residual risks
Photo credit: Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD)
Embedding resilience thinking in future development
The Shoreline Management Guideline is being incorporated into the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines, ensuring resilience is considered at the start of new projects.
This forward-looking integration supports the design and planning of waterfront areas and coastal assets, from infrastructure to eco‑tourism destinations, that can adapt over time, helping Hong Kong remain resilient in the face of climate uncertainty.
See the guideline here.