Recently, the 2025 Shenzhen Co-Built Garden Awards Ceremony was held at Xiangmi Park, where Guangming District received seven city-level garden awards.
Over the past five years, the district has actively embraced Shenzhen's transformation from a “City of a Thousand Parks” to a “City Within Parks.” Centered on creating child-friendly environments, the district has vigorously advanced community co-built gardens, aiming to establish nature-friendly green oases right at residents' doorsteps. This initiative pioneers a new urban governance model based on “government guidance plus public participation.”
To date, Guangming has developed 33 community co-built gardens, enhancing more than 7,000 square meters of green space across all subdistricts and multiple communities. These gardens embody collaborative efforts in planning, construction, management, and shared use, becoming a hallmark of Guangming's commitment to developing child-friendly urban spaces.
Some of the award-winning gardens
Jade Butterfly Garden: A living classroom of nature
More than a traditional garden, it serves as a mini nature classroom. Here, children engage directly with the ecosystem, planting seeds and observing butterflies, turning every flower, insect, and bird's song into an accessible lesson. This garden reconnects urban residents with nature, fostering gentle, meaningful interactions with the environment.
Zhencai Garden: A poetic green space and natural classroom
Located in Changzhen Community, the 600-square-meter Zhencai Garden offers a hands-on agricultural experience. Children harvest fresh vegetables they have grown themselves, which are then packaged and distributed to families in need, spreading kindness and community spirit through green initiatives.
Guangming's green spaces go beyond recreation to serve as dynamic outdoor classrooms focused on nature education. Since 2023, the district has organized around 120 nature education activities, enabling children to learn about ecology through interactive play.
These efforts underscore Guangming District's dedication to sustainable, inclusive, and educational urban green spaces, strengthening the bond between city life and the natural world.