Sustainable Growth in Urbanised Delta Areas: The Opportunities of a Geographical Approach to the Pearl River Delta

The attractions of delta areas have boomed economies and founded major cities, but the threats of the adjacent water have persisted and natural resources have declined. The objective to facilitate sustainable urban growth in delta areas can only be met by a simultaneous approach of all the stakeholders concerned. This paper will demonstrate the result of a geographical design approach for a fast growing, often flooded and environmentally endangered area: the Pearl River Delta in China. It will be shown that with a careful analysis of the local situation (geography) and local requirements translated to geographical elements, solutions can be found that blend in with their surroundings and meet the needs of present and future