Invasive or Native? A Landscape Design Experiment in Shenzhen

In the face of global climate change, ecological disasters are unfolding one after another. Ecology has evolved from a scientific study of organisms’ relationships with their environments to a widely discussed public issue. The concerns have shifted from controlling nature to embracing ecological restoration and harmonious coexistence, including advocating for rewilding to restore spaces to their natural states. These shifts prompt reflection on the human-nature relationship. How can landscape design, a field blending science and art, engage with ecology? This paper examines the recent debate in China over the Memorial Park of the 19th International Botanical Congress in Shenzhen, which proposed a ‘plant-free’ approach. This paper explores what would happen to the ecology of a piece of land if nothing were planted? What challenges does such an experimental approach present? How do experts from various disciplines perceive ecology and nature differently?