A Novel Protection and Utilization Pattern for Urban Wetland—As an Example of Hemu Wetland in Hangzhou, China

Abstract

This paper proposes an innovative plan and its implement strategy of Hemu urban wetland. The plan takes into consideration its historical background and current status, its protection significance, strategies, solutions and support conditions. It highlights the landscape characteristics of rivers and lakes, and restores its historical flood prevention functions and climate regulation for the city. Especially, this paper proposes to achieve the restoration of “Mulberry-sided Fish Pond” farming style—an important agricultural heritage created by the ancestors inside the wetland, which is a unique and creative way to use low land for ecological agriculture and cycling economy. The proposed wetland sewage treatment schemes would be of practical importance to improve and enhance the ecological environment and promote the construction of ecological civilization in the region. The “Two zones—One block and Three complexes” protection and utilization plan is reasonable and feasible. It fully presents the functions of the wetland for its production, living, life forms and ecology, and is characterized by joint protection of the wetland by original residents and social public. This will result in active, instead of passive, wetland protection, like turning a “blood transfusion protection” to “hematopoietic protection”, which reflects the sustainable development. The paper offers valuable information and strategies for planning and development of urban wetland.