JULONGWAN

Located in Guangzhou’s Liwan District, JULONGWAN is a world-class sustainable demonstration cluster that has achieved a historic milestone: the world's only record for two consecutive SITES Platinum certifications within the same district. Building on the success of the Bai’etan Exhibition Center—China’s first SITES Platinum project—the owner has demonstrated a steadfast, long-term commitment by adopting SITES as a guiding framework to ensure that ecological objectives are the foundation for the entire district's urban regeneration. This "Double Platinum" achievement demonstrates the project's capability to transform sustainable goals into long-term urban operational assets, providing an inviting landscape that promotes health and wellbeing.

The landscape strategy fortifies environmental resilience through rigorous ecological restoration and the preservation of the site’s biomass, particularly the 36 species and over 400 existing trees. A cornerstone of this effort is the protection of three ancient trees and seven backup resources, managed through "One Tree, One File" digital identities and strictly enforced Vegetation and Soil Protection Zones (VSPZ) with zero mechanical disturbance in root zones. This nature-first approach resulted in a 114% increase in the Biodiversity Index (BDI) and a native plant community ratio of over 90%, creating a high-quality green corridor that serves as both a vital habitat for urban wildlife and a public ecological sanctuary.

Central to JULONGWAN’s sustainability narrative is the adaptive reuse of industrial-era structures, such as the Xietonghe Machine Factory and Chongkou Electric Stations, adhering to the "minimal intervention" principle to preserve original craftsmanship. Compared to conventional development, this life-cycle approach and a 70% construction waste recycling rate resulted in a reduction of approximately 1,112 tons—nearly 60%—of carbon emissions. By revitalizing these historic assets into cultural venues and community hubs, the project ensures that industrial memory remains a visible, active component of the regenerated waterfront, exemplifying deliberate, long-term stewardship of the land.

"SITES is the authoritative international standard for sustainable landscape development. For Pearl River Industrial Investment, the SITES framework serves as the most effective tool to validate the quality and impact of our sustainable landscape practices within complex urban regeneration. Following the success of our initial exploration at Bai’etan Exhibition Center — China’s first Platinum project—achieving Platinum certification again for JULONGWAN further proves that our commitment to a long-term sustainable development path is the right direction. This partnership between The Pearl River Investment and TREND ensures that global standards are effectively translated into the district's DNA, demonstrating the measurable value of ecosystem services in regional development."
- Pearl River Investment & TREND

Photo credit: Pearl River Investment