AfterNature’s Dr. Chi Chiu Lo on Coastal Adaptation with Living Shorelines

By Chi Chiu Lo 22 January, 2026

It’s not just people – coastal ecologies must also adapt to a future world. Dr. Lo shares how ecological engineering can defend shorelines while enriching life above & below water

Unlike traditional seawalls, living shorelines incorporate natural elements like oyster reefs, salt marshes & eco-engineered habitat units into artificial shorelines
Life-supporting coastal infrastructure is more resilient, enhances ecological value, mitigates carbon, provides recreational space & promotes a water-friendly culture
Investing in living shorelines is not just an environmental choice, but a forward-looking strategy for coastal communities like HK confronting the realities of climate change
Author: Chi Chiu Lo
Dr. Chi Chiu Lo is a marine ecologist and ecological engineer specialising in coastal restoration and ecological enhancement. He earned his PhD from the University of Hong Kong, where his research focused on eco-engineering solutions for artificial shorelines. He is also a co-founder of afterNATURE, a company dedicated to developing biodiverse ecologies inspired by natural habitats, enhancing coastal ecosystems through innovative techniques. Apart from R&D, Dr. Lo is also committed to outreach and education, actively engaging communities in ecological literacy programs that showcase Hong Kong’s diverse marine habitats and emphasise the importance of coastal conservation and restoration.
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Sea level rise, flooding, erosion and habitat loss are drastically reshaping coastlines around the world. As we explore solutions to fortify our shorelines for future generations, Dr. Chi Chiu Lo reminds us that we can’t leave marine ecosystems behind. Through afterNATURE, he designs new ecological habitats fit for a changing planet. We sat down with him to learn more about his innovations in coastal adaptation.

CWR: Dr. Lo, thanks for sharing your work with us! Can you tell us more about afterNATURE? How do your designs work?

Chiu Chi Lo (CCL): afterNATURE began as a research initiative led by Professor Kenneth Mei Yee Leung and Dr. Juan Carlos Astudillo Placencia, with Ms. Thea Bradford and myself as part of the team. Our goal was to explore the ecological enhancement of artificial shorelines, a concept that was relatively new in Hong Kong. In 2018, we tested our small-scale prototype alongside some overseas living shoreline units as part of a research project. This experience revealed the potential of living shorelines locally, but also highlighted limitations that demanded innovative solutions.

To address these challenges, we partnered with Mr. Michael Kokora to develop living shoreline units optimised for biodiversity enhancement, structural stability, ease of installation, and overall performance. This collaboration ultimately led to the founding of afterNATURE.

We introduce microhabitats into artificial shorelines…

…to support marine life in harsh intertidal zones

Our designs work by introducing structural complexity and microhabitats into otherwise uniform artificial shorelines. Coastal ecosystems, especially intertidal zones, are harsh environments, with extreme physical conditions and biological pressures. These stressors are amplified by simple, homogenised artificial structures, which limit biodiversity and ecological value. By applying ecological engineering principles, our living shoreline units create diverse habitats that support marine life and enable sustainable coastal development.

Lei Yue Mun installation. Source: afterNATURE

CWR: What makes a living shoreline better than a non-living one for climate adaptation? 

CCL: Living shorelines are nature-based solutions that integrate ecological engineering with coastal protection. Unlike traditional seawalls, which are usually hard barriers that neglect ecological components, living shorelines incorporate natural elements, such as oyster reefs, mangroves, salt marshes, and eco-engineered habitat units, into artificial shorelines. Not only do living shorelines stabilise shorelines and prevent erosion, but they also enhance the ecology of artificial shorelines and, in some cases, restore degraded natural shorelines.

Rising sea levels & extreme weather will require shoreline modifications…

…living shorelines can reduce the carbon footprint & enhance ecology

As climate change accelerates, rising sea levels and intensifying extreme weather will drive more shoreline modifications worldwide. The implementation of living shorelines aims to reduce the footprint while promoting sustainable coastal development. In suitable conditions, they can even replace traditional defences, such as through bivalve reef restoration and mangrove planting. Many of these systems also act as carbon sinks, further contributing to climate mitigation efforts.

By blending ecology, engineering and urban planning, living shorelines transform vulnerable coastlines into adaptive, thriving systems. They protect infrastructure, support local ecosystems and create recreational spaces while aligning with global sustainability goals. Investing in living shorelines is not just an environmental choice, but a forward-looking strategy for communities confronting the realities of climate change.

CWR: It’s interesting to see how your team combines soft and hard forms of ecological engineering. Why this approach? 

CCL: Our team applies both soft and hard forms of ecological engineering across different projects, though they are not always combined. Each approach has distinct requirements, strengths, and limitations, and their use depends on project objectives and site conditions. Regardless of the method, our goal remains the same: to enhance habitat diversity and availability to create opportunities for thriving coastal ecosystems.

Ecological engineering draws on many disciplines from materials science to the arts…

…to ensure solutions are practical, scalable & resilient

From the very beginning, we learned that ecological engineering is inherently interdisciplinary. It draws on expertise from ecology, materials science, engineering, urban planning, architecture, design, and even the arts. Successful implementation requires balancing these perspectives and prioritising different needs. For example, our company’s logo originated as a surface pattern design for our first project, to incorporate gradients of open surfaces and sheltered cavities, two distinct microhabitat types, before the company was founded.

Today, we continue to innovate by developing new living shoreline units and refining existing designs to improve adaptability, versatility, and ease of installation. These advancements ensure that our projects are not only ecologically effective but also practical and scalable. By integrating creativity with science and engineering, we deliver solutions that make coastal infrastructure more resilient and life-supporting.

CWR: You’ve talked a lot about the ecological benefits of living shorelines – how about its social benefits?

CCL: We strongly believe that the living shoreline concept should incorporate three essential elements: coastal defence, ecological enhancement, and a water-friendly culture.

Traditional coastal defences, while effective as physical barriers against natural coastal processes such as flooding and waves, often separate coastal communities from the environment, a relationship deeply rooted in Hong Kong’s heritage as a former fishing village. By adopting living shorelines, we aim to restore this connection in a modern, sustainable manner. These structures not only protect the coastal community and residents but also create habitats that support biodiversity, fostering a sense of coexistence between people and nature.

We have been working with NGOs, research institutes, and the Hong Kong Government to raise awareness of Hong Kong’s diverse coastal ecosystems and the importance of living shorelines in sustainable development. Through workshops, site visits, and talks for schools and the public, as well as participation in exhibitions and expositions, we have engaged diverse audiences and inspired community involvement.

Angling is more frequent near eco-engineered structures…

…an example of how they reconnect people with the sea

Interestingly, we have observed signs of new recreational opportunities emerging from the implementation of living shorelines. Angling activities, for instance, are noticeably more frequent near these eco-engineered structures compared to traditional seawalls. These features appear to attract more fish species, such as rabbitfish and sea bream, that feed on organisms supported by the living shoreline.

In some cases, we have even documented the harvesting of snails, mussels, and oysters from the living shoreline features. While we do not encourage this practice due to research consideration and food safety concerns, it highlights an unexpected social benefit: reconnecting people with the sea in a tangible, meaningful and even practical way.

CWR: Where can we find your designs installed? Have they been successful?

CCL: We are proud to be founded and based in Hong Kong, where our designs have been rigorously tested in highly variable and dynamic coastal environments. Our first project in Tsuen Wan, launched in 2021, marked the beginning of our journey as we tested our concepts and designs in real-world conditions. This project provided invaluable insights into the strengths and limitations of our designs, enabling us to further enhance microhabitat diversity and availability, and to improve ease of casting and installation.

Since then, updated versions of our products have been deployed across multiple sites, including eco-panels on vertical seawalls at Pak Kok Pier, New Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter, and Yung Shue Wan, as well as riprap units at the West Kowloon Cultural District and Tai Shue Wan. More recently, our latest innovation, the hexagonal basin tile designed to create tidal pool habitats on vertical seawalls, was installed at Lei Yue Mun. These installations have supported diverse marine communities and received positive feedback from clients and installation teams, underscoring the value of our interdisciplinary approach.

Pak Kok Pier installation. Source: afterNATURE

Close-up of living shoreline unit in Tsuen Wan. Source: afterNATURE

Looking ahead, we have upcoming projects in Peng Chau, Cheung Chau, and Sai Ying Pun, and we are expanding internationally through collaborations such as Climate Week NYC at Governors Island. These partnerships help us refine our designs for greater adaptability and efficiency across different scenarios.

CWR: What are the biggest challenges you face?

CCL: We face several challenges from different perspectives. One of the most significant challenges is the lack of resources for research, development, and the implementation of innovative solutions aimed at achieving sustainable development, a challenge shared by many working toward similar goals.

Sustainability problems aren’t recognised by all & solutions take time to show their benefit…

…both require education & research to become normalised

Compounding this issue is the slow progression or normalisation of the very problems these technologies seek to address. At the same time, the impact of new technologies is rarely immediate, making it difficult for society to perceive tangible benefits in the short term. Together, these factors often lead to both the problems and the solutions being overlooked or even neglected. To turn this around, education, continued research, and active engagement with stakeholders are essential, which have also become a significant part of us.

Internally, we face another challenge common to many manufacturing industries in Hong Kong: high operating costs. These include expenses for manpower, materials, equipment, and facilities. As a result, much of our product fabrication is currently outsourced to manufacturers in China. However, with global coastal development expected to accelerate due to climate change and growing coastal populations, we are actively developing fabrication procedures that enable on-site production. This shift is not only about resilience but also about reducing our operational carbon footprint and aligning with sustainable practices.

CWR: Looking ahead, how do you envision resilient coastlines to look like? Where do you think has the biggest opportunity to re-imagine their coast?

CCL: Resilient coastlines of the future will be multifunctional, adaptive, and ecologically rich. Instead of uniform concrete barriers, we envision shorelines that integrate natural elements, not only protecting infrastructure but also supporting biodiversity and providing spaces for communities to connect with nature. It should also be designed to evolve with rising seas and changing climates while enriching life above and below the waterline.

The biggest opportunities to reimagine coastlines lie in densely urbanised areas where traditional hard infrastructure dominates. Cities like Hong Kong, where space is limited, can lead the way by transforming traditional coastlines into living systems. This offers the chance to demonstrate that ecological enhancement and urban development are not mutually exclusive, but complementary.

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