New World China bags two wins at ESGBusiness Awards 2024 for green development

K11 ECOAST is envisioned to become the new harbourfront cultural retail destination in the Greater Bay Area.

New World China, the Mainland China property arm of Hong Kong-listed New World Development Company, brought home the Green Building Award - Hong Kong and the Green Spaces Award - Hong Kong category wins at the prestigious ESGBusiness Awards 2024.

These accolades recognise the company's cultural retail complex, K11 ECOAST, which highlights the company’s dedication to promoting a sustainable and circular lifestyle, as well as the Canton First Estate project, a large-scale integrated community that stands as a model for ecological urban development.

Redefining sustainable urban development

Located in Prince Bay in Shenzhen, the property has a total gross floor area of 228,500 square metres, comprising K11 Art Mall, K11 HACC multi-purpose art space, K11 ATELIER office building, and the Promenade.

It features 60,000 square metres of outdoor landscaping and fully incorporates green and healthy building concepts into its design, from renewable energy to recyclable materials. It is also expected to achieve stormwater storage capacity of 1,460 cubic metres for alleviating the pressure on the city’s existing drainage system and enable water reuse onsite, supporting climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Moreover, the development is estimated to generate a renewable energy of over 254,800 kWh/yr, equivalent to offsetting the annual energy of 67 households. It has also incorporated advanced air purification systems to remove airborne contaminants and UV germicidal irradiation, as well as to increase fresh air provision. It is also adopting low-E glazing and external shading to reduce solar heat gain whilst introducing daylighting.

K11 ECOAST is also going to implement a district cooling system that consumes less electricity as compared to traditional air-cooled air-conditioning systems and individual water-cooled air conditioning systems using cooling towers respectively.

New World China’s latest property has been designed and constructed in accordance with China’s 14th Five-Year Plan national guidelines on environmental protection and sustainable development for promoting a circular economy. It has been granted with major certifications on sustainability currently.

“Located in a strategic position within the core of the Greater Bay Area, K11 ECOAST will boost an infrastructural network highlighted by multiple integrated transportation systems and a one-hour living circle that extends to 30 million people, and become an area of significant influence,” the company said.

Cutting-edge environmental technologies

Apart from its work in K11 ECOAST, New World China’s Canton First Estate has redefined sustainable urban living by seamlessly integrating environmental preservation with innovative technology. The project incorporates eight advanced environmental protection technologies aimed at creating harmony between humans and nature, making it a benchmark for sustainable community development.

The project preserves the original natural environment and implements a low environmental impact strategy throughout the project’s lifecycle.

One of the project’s most notable features is its water circulating system, which connects 35 previously scattered lakes to form 500 acres of living water. This self-sustaining system purifies water quality, supports aquatic life, and reduces the flood risk by promoting natural water circulation.

In addition, the rainwater collection and reuse system adds to the project’s sustainability efforts by utilising ecological filtration to collect and store rainwater. With a capacity of up to 900,000 cubic meters, this system not only irrigates the estate’s lush landscapes but also reduces reliance on municipal water, contributing to long-term water conservation efforts.

The project has also taken a proactive approach to forestry transformation, using mountain restoration techniques to regreen damaged areas and enhance biodiversity. With nearly 70 different plant species, including native trees, the estate has enhanced its ecological and aesthetic value, creating a natural environment that supports both plant and animal life.

Canton First Estate also emphasises low-carbon transportation by designing curved streets and narrow lanes to reduce vehicle speeds, increasing pedestrian safety, and promoting walking. The integration of renewable energy vehicle charging stations encourages residents to adopt eco-friendly transportation methods, further reducing the project’s carbon footprint.

The estate’s green building technologies incorporate natural lighting, energy-efficient materials such as low-E glass, and a heat recovery system to enhance energy efficiency. A smart management system monitors various aspects of the estate in real-time, including security, water quality, and air purity, ensuring that the community’s environmental performance is continually optimised.

In addition to its innovative transportation and building designs, Canton First Estate has developed a domestic sewage and reclaimed water reuse system. Using advanced membrane bioreactor and constructed wetland processes, the system effectively purifies wastewater. The treated water is then repurposed for landscape irrigation and lake replenishment.

By prioritising environmental sustainability at every level, New World China has set a new standard for community development. With its holistic approach to environmental protection and innovative green technologies, Canton First Estate is not only a success story for today but a blueprint for the future of sustainable spaces.

The ESGBusiness Awards celebrates companies that are leading the way in building a sustainable future. It also highlights businesses that demonstrate outstanding commitment and achievement in environmental, social, and governance practices.

The ESGBusiness Awards is presented by ESGBusiness. To view the full list of winners, click here. If you want to join the 2025 awards programme and be acclaimed for your company's outstanding commitment and achievement in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices, please contact Julie Anne Nuñez at [email protected].