(Volume 2) Cities in Harmony with Nature: Case Studies of Urban Biodiversity Conservation in China

Cities are not only centres of human civilisation and development, but also homes for a rich diversity of life. They should be places where people and nature can thrive together. From urban park networks connecting mountains, rivers and coastlines, to riverine wetlands that conserve water and restore habitats for wildlife; from infrastructure projects carefully designed to preserve ancient trees and mature forests, to ecological corridors integrated into buildings and public spaces to facilitate the movement of wildlife—an increasing number of cities are rethinking and redefining their relationship with nature, moving from separation towards integration and coexistence. This is not only a proactive response to the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, but also a shared direction for cities around the world as they pursue sustainable development and seek to build a harmonious relationship between people and nature.

In 2026, the Seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) will be held in Armenia. As a global network committed to advancing the engagement of local and regional governments in sustainable development, ICLEI will continue to serve as a bridge connecting cities, regional governments and the international community, helping translate global biodiversity goals into action at the local and urban levels. Through the CitiesWithNature platform and initiatives such as Biodiversity Charming Cities, ICLEI works to connect cities, communities, experts and partners around the world, facilitate knowledge sharing, exchange experiences and foster joint action. These efforts aim to help cities better integrate the value of nature and biodiversity into urban planning and development, while providing an international platform to showcase the achievements and innovative solutions of Chinese cities in advancing ecological civilisation.

In recent years, Chinese cities have actively explored locally tailored approaches to biodiversity conservation and developed a growing body of practical experience in areas such as urban ecological space, nature education, ecological restoration, green infrastructure and public engagement. These experiences offer valuable and potentially replicable insights for urban biodiversity governance around the world. This case study collection brings together a selection of representative examples from Chinese cities, highlighting their commitments, actions and progress in advancing the vision of “Cities in Harmony with Nature.” From public nature education to green infrastructure development, and from cross-departmental collaboration to long-term ecological monitoring and governance mechanisms, Chinese cities are integrating biodiversity conservation into urban development through diverse and practical approaches, helping to shape a more harmonious relationship between people and nature.

We hope that these experiences from Chinese cities will serve as a starting point for dialogue and inspiration, offering useful lessons for cities around the world and encouraging greater cooperation, knowledge exchange and innovation on urban biodiversity. Making cities part of nature, and making nature a source of strength for urban development, is an important pathway towards the sustainable future we share.

Cities in Harmony with Nature: Case Studies of Urban Biodiversity Conservation in China-Volume 1