Coastal Wetland Conservation and Urban Sustainable Development Synergy Pathway Research: Insights from Qingdao and Weihai for Qinhuangdao

Xiong, Wei; Li, Junjie; Liu, Bangfan

doi:10.3390/su17219902

Open AccessArticle

Coastal Wetland Conservation and Urban Sustainable Development Synergy Pathway Research: Insights from Qingdao and Weihai for Qinhuangdao

by

Wei Xiong

^1,2,†,

Junjie Li

^3,*,† and

Bangfan Liu

^1,2,*

¹

School of Public Administration, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China

²

Hebei Public Policy Evaluation Research Center, Qinhuangdao 066004, China

³

School of Law and Politics, Hebei University of Geosciences, Shijiazhuang 052161, China

^*

Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.

^†

These authors contributed equally to this work as co-first author.

Sustainability 2025, 17(21), 9902; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17219902

Submission received: 28 September 2025 / Revised: 27 October 2025 / Accepted: 4 November 2025 / Published: 6 November 2025

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Abstract

This study addresses the critical challenge of balancing coastal wetland conservation with urban sustainable development, a pivotal issue for ecological civilization in rapidly developing regions. Through an in-depth analysis of Qingdao and Weihai—exemplary cases in Shandong Province—this research systematically investigates mechanisms for achieving synergistic win–win outcomes. Employing a mixed-methods approach, including systems analysis to deconstruct governance frameworks, comparative case study to identify transferable strategies, and policy deduction to formulate actionable pathways, the study reveals how integrated approaches yield tangible results. Qingdao’s “Five Ocean Usages” concept and Weihai’s segmented coastal zoning have significantly improved key ecological metrics. By contrast, Qinhuangdao faces pronounced challenges, including degraded wetlands, spatial conflict between ports and core habitats, and underdeveloped synergistic governance. To address these, the study proposes a targeted strategy for Qinhuangdao, emphasizing a data-informed “wetland+” multi-format integration plan, the establishment of wetland mitigation banking and green finance instruments, digitally enabled public participation, and deeper policy alignment with national strategies such as Maritime Power. This research provides both a replicable analytical framework and practical guidance for coastal cities seeking to realize “development within protection and protection within development”.

Keywords:

coastal wetlands; urban sustainable development; synergistic pathways; Qingdao; Weihai; Qinhuangdao

1. Introduction

Coastal wetlands, as ecological transition zones between land and sea, perform crucial ecological functions such as water conservation, water purification, flood storage, drought mitigation, climate regulation, and maintaining biodiversity. They also serve as vital resource bases for urban development. With the accelerated urbanization of China’s coastal areas, coastal wetlands are facing unprecedented pressures. On one hand, human activities like urban expansion, port construction, and coastal industrial development continuously encroach upon and damage coastal wetlands. On the other hand, natural factors such as climate change and sea-level rise exacerbate the risk of wetland degradation [1]. Coordinating the relationship between coastal wetland conservation and urban development to achieve synergistic progress between ecology and the economy has become a critical challenge for the sustainable development of coastal cities [2]. The above discussion can be found in Table 1.

Qingdao and Weihai, as frontrunner cities in coastal zone management within Shandong Province, have accumulated substantial experience in the conservation and restoration of coastal wetlands. In Qingdao, initiatives such as the “Blue Bay” Campaign and projects aimed at “returning aquaculture ponds to the sea” have significantly enhanced the ecological functioning of Jiaozhou Bay. Weihai has pioneered integrated coastal zone planning and management, establishing a balanced model that aligns natural shoreline preservation with urban growth [3]. These experiences offer valuable references for Qinhuangdao, which also lies along the Bohai Bay. Against the backdrop of intense pressure and widespread degradation of coastal wetlands—driven by rapid urban expansion and human activities in fast-developing regions like China—this study applies the Ecology–Economy–Society System Synergy Theory. Using methods such as systems analysis, comparative case studies, and policy deduction, it conducts an in-depth examination of the successful practices adopted by Qingdao and Weihai to harmonize coastal wetland conservation with urban development. By incorporating the specific conditions and challenges facing Qinhuangdao’s coastal wetlands, the research proposes context-appropriate pathways for synergistic development. The outcomes not only contribute to enriching the theoretical framework of integrated coastal zone management but also offer practical insights for Qinhuangdao and other Chinese coastal cities to advance ecological civilization and achieve high-quality development. This study is imperative to resolve the pressing paradox confronting coastal zones: the vital ecological and economic functions of wetlands are being severely compromised by urban and industrial expansion. Focusing on China’s context, the research will delineate and compare the effective conservation-urbanization paradigms established in Qingdao and Weihai. Through systems analysis and policy deduction grounded in the Ecology–Economy–Society Synergy Theory, it will formulate context-specific synergistic pathways for Qinhuangdao, thereby offering a transferable framework for sustainable coastal management that bridges theory and practice.

2. Theoretical Basis: Ecology–Economy–Society System Synergy Theory

2.1. Sustainable Development Theory

The theory of sustainable development emphasizes three core principles: intergenerational equity, ecological constraints, and coordinated development, providing a theoretical foundation for coastal wetland conservation and urban development [4]. In the context of coastal zone management, sustainable development manifests as meeting the needs of current urban development without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, while maintaining the integrity and stability of coastal wetland ecosystems. The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development further specifies the requirement to “conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development” (Goal 14), providing international norms for coastal urban development.

The application of sustainable development theory in coastal zone management requires breaking away from the traditional “develop first, clean up later” model and establishing an integrated land–sea coordination management framework. This framework emphasizes that: first, economic development must consider the carrying capacity of the ecological environment, incorporating the protection and restoration of wetland ecosystems into urban development plans; second, cross-sectoral and cross-regional coordination mechanisms should be established to address fragmentation in coastal zone management; third, institutional innovation should incentivize green industry development, forming a virtuous cycle between ecological protection and economic growth [5].

2.1.1. SDGs

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a comprehensive and globally recognized framework for addressing the complex challenges in coastal wetland governance. While SDG 14 (Life Below Water) directly calls for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources, the management of coastal wetlands is inherently interdisciplinary, intersecting with multiple goals. For instance, SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) is advanced through the water purification functions of wetlands, while SDG 13 (Climate Action) is supported by their role as carbon sinks and buffers against sea-level rise and storms. Furthermore, SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) underscore the need to harmonize urban and economic development with ecological limits. The degradation of coastal wetlands thus represents a failure to achieve these interconnected goals, while their sustainable management becomes a powerful vehicle for integrated implementation of the 2030 Agenda. Therefore, using the SDGs as a guiding compass ensures that coastal wetland governance is not treated in isolation but is embedded within a broader commitment to equitable and sustainable human development, providing a common language and a set of targets for international cooperation, national policy-making, and local action.

2.1.2. Applying Ecology–Economy–Society System Synergy to Coastal Wetland Governance

Applying the Ecology–Economy–Society System synergy theory to coastal wetland governance necessitates a fundamental shift from a siloed approach to a holistic, integrated management paradigm. This perspective posits that the health of the coastal ecosystem, the vitality of the regional economy, and the well-being of local communities are not separate concerns but are deeply intertwined components of a single complex system. Ecologically, it requires governance that prioritizes the maintenance of key wetland functions—such as biodiversity habitats, water filtration, and storm surge attenuation—as the non-negotiable foundation for all other activities. Economically, it involves transitioning from short-term exploitative industries (like unchecked land reclamation or polluting aquaculture) to sustainable “blue economy” sectors such as eco-tourism, sustainable fisheries, and blue carbon financing, which derive long-term value from a healthy ecosystem. Socially, it demands inclusive governance that respects the rights and knowledge of local communities, ensures equitable access to ecosystem benefits, and fosters a sense of stewardship. The core of this application is to identify and strengthen positive feedback loops—for example, where investments in ecological restoration (ecology) create new tourism and fishery jobs (economy), which in turn improve community livelihoods and support for conservation (society), thereby creating a virtuous cycle of synergistic development.

2.1.3. A Three-Dimensional Perspective on Coastal Zone Sustainability

A three-dimensional perspective on coastal zone sustainability moves beyond a narrow, compartmentalized view to simultaneously address environmental, economic, and social imperatives. The environmental dimension forms the foundational pillar, emphasizing the absolute necessity of preserving the structural integrity and functional resilience of coastal ecosystems. This includes maintaining biodiversity, protecting water quality, and safeguarding natural processes like sediment transport and nutrient cycling. It recognizes that these ecological functions are the life-support system upon which all other dimensions depend. The economic dimension focuses on fostering a sustainable and circular “blue economy” that operates within the carrying capacity of these ecosystems. It involves valuing ecosystem services, promoting resource efficiency, and developing industries that do not degrade their natural asset base, thereby ensuring long-term economic prosperity rather than short-term windfalls. The social dimension centers on equity, justice, and quality of life. It ensures that the benefits of coastal resources are distributed fairly, that local and indigenous knowledge is integrated into management, and that communities are resilient to environmental changes. True sustainability is achieved only when interventions are designed to create co-benefits across all three dimensions, avoiding the common pitfall of optimizing one at the expense of the others.

2.1.4. Theoretical Foundation for Synergy in Coastal Urbanization

The theoretical foundation for synergy in coastal urbanization is built upon the rejection of the traditional, linear “develop first, clean up later” model in favor of an integrated, systems-based approach. This theory argues that urbanization and ecological health are not a zero-sum game but can be mutually reinforcing if strategically co-managed. It draws from ecological modernization theory, which posits that economic development can be reconciled with environmental protection through technological innovation, smart policy, and green infrastructure. For example, well-designed coastal cities can incorporate constructed wetlands for wastewater treatment, use green belts as flood defenses and public spaces, and orient urban form to minimize ecological fragmentation. Furthermore, the theory incorporates resilience thinking, emphasizing the need for urban systems to absorb shocks like climate impacts while maintaining essential functions. This requires protecting natural buffers like mangroves and salt marshes, which provide cost-effective, adaptive protection for urban assets. Ultimately, the synergistic foundation rests on strategic spatial planning that designates zones for strict conservation, sustainable use, and intensive development, ensuring that urban growth is channeled appropriately. This creates a new urban paradigm where the city is not an antagonist to the coast but an integrated part of a thriving, resilient, and sustainable socio-ecological system.

2.2. Ecosystem Services and Urban Resilience

Ecosystem services refer to the various benefits that ecosystems provide to humans, including provisioning services (e.g., food, water), regulating services (e.g., climate regulation, disaster buffering), cultural services (e.g., recreation, aesthetic value), and supporting services (e.g., nutrient cycling, biodiversity maintenance) [6]. Coastal wetlands, as high-productivity ecosystems, provide extremely important ecosystem services to coastal cities. Research shows that the value of ecosystem services per unit area of coastal wetlands is much higher than most other ecosystem types.

With the increasing impacts of climate change, urban resilience has become a key concept measuring a city’s ability to cope with natural and human-induced disturbances. Coastal wetlands enhance the ecological resilience of coastal cities significantly through functions like buffering storm surges, reducing coastal erosion, and regulating floods [7]. Protecting coastal wetlands is not only a need for ecological conservation but also a crucial guarantee for urban safety. Integrating coastal wetland conservation into urban resilience planning and building a green disaster prevention system based on ecological infrastructure has become a common practice internationally [8,9,10]. The above discussion can be found in Table 2.

2.3. Practical Transformation of the “Green Waters and Green Mountains Are Gold and Silver Mountains” Concept

The concept that “green waters and green mountains are gold and silver mountains” profoundly reveals the dialectical relationship between ecological environmental protection and socioeconomic development, providing a Sinicized theoretical guide for the synergistic development of coastal wetland conservation and cities [11,12,13]. Under this concept, coastal wetlands are no longer obstacles or sacrifices for urban development but important sources of green wealth and competitive advantage for cities.

The practical transformation of this concept is achieved mainly through three pathways: first, ecological industrialization, converting ecological advantages into economic advantages by developing green industries like eco-tourism and wellness recreation; second, industrial ecologization, applying green transformations to traditional marine industries to reduce their negative impact on the wetland environment; third, value monetization, realizing the value conversion of wetland ecological products through market-based instruments like ecological compensation and green finance [14,15]. Practices in Qingdao and Weihai demonstrate that with scientific planning and rational utilization, coastal wetlands can become a strong support for high-quality urban development. Based on the above discussion, the theoretical framework used in this article can be represented by Figure 1.

3. Synergistic Practice Analysis of Qingdao and Weihai

3.1. The “Five Ocean Usages” Concept and Blue Economy Transition

Qingdao innovatively proposed the “Five Ocean Usages” concept in marine resource utilization: scientific planning for ocean use, intensive and economical ocean use, ecological and environmentally friendly ocean use, law-based and standardized ocean use, and open and transparent ocean use. This concept facilitates a shift from single-resource exploitation to ecology-prioritized integrated management, providing institutional guarantees for the synergistic advancement of coastal wetland conservation and urban development.

Guided by this concept, Qingdao implemented a series of innovative measures: firstly, formulating the “Qingdao Marine Functional Zoning” and the “Jiaozhou Bay Protection Regulations” to delineate ecological red lines and define no-go, restricted, and optimized development zones; secondly, establishing a “three no-approvals” system for sea area use, rejecting projects that don’t comply with marine functional zoning, statutory approval procedures, or regulations on sea area use fee reductions/exemptions; thirdly, implementing the “Blue Bay” remediation action, focusing on the comprehensive ecological improvement of Jiaozhou Bay, restoring degraded wetlands through projects like “returning aquaculture ponds to the sea” and “south red (suaeda salsa) north willow (tamarix)” planting. These measures have gradually restored the wetland area of Jiaozhou Bay, significantly enhanced its ecological functions, and simultaneously reserved reasonable space for urban development. The above discussion can be seen in Figure 2.

Weihai achieved intensive ocean use while balancing ecological protection through coastal zone zoning regulation. The “Weihai Coastal Zone Zoning Regulation Plan” implemented in 2006 classified the coastline into three major categories: ecological, living, and production shorelines, formulating differentiated control strategies for different functional areas. Notably, it innovatively divided 215.8 km of coastline into eight segments, implementing “one policy per segment” for refined management. This zoning management model safeguards urban development needs like ports and tourism while ensuring the integrity and continuity of important wetland ecosystems, laying a solid foundation for Weihai’s blue economy transition.

The strategies for Qingdao and Weihai are not merely abstract concepts; they are substantiated by concrete and multi-faceted supporting strategies that operationalize their guiding principles.

For Qingdao, the overarching “Five Ocean Usages” concept is supported by a robust framework of legal, regulatory, and practical action-based strategies: (1) Legal and Zoning Strategies: The formulation of “Qingdao Marine Functional Zoning” and the “Jiaozhou Bay Protection Regulations” provides a legal backbone. These documents translate the concept into enforceable spatial plans by delineating ecological red lines and defining zones for protection, restriction, and development. (2) Enforcement and Approval Strategies: The establishment of the “three no-approvals” system for sea area use is a critical enforcement mechanism. This strategy acts as a strict gatekeeper, rejecting non-compliant projects to ensure that all development aligns with the scientific planning and legal standards set forth by the concept. (3) Ecological Restoration Strategies: The implementation of the “Blue Bay” remediation action, including specific projects like “returning aquaculture ponds to the sea” and “south red north willow” planting, represents the on-the-ground execution. These are direct action-oriented strategies for rehabilitating degraded ecosystems, directly fulfilling the goal of “ecological and environmentally friendly ocean use” and leading to measurable outcomes like restored wetland area and enhanced ecological functions.

For Weihai, its approach is supported by a sophisticated spatial planning and management strategy: Zoning and Segmented Management Strategy: The “Weihai Coastal Zone Zoning Regulation Plan” is the core supporting strategy. It goes beyond general planning by classifying the coastline into distinct functional categories (ecological, living, production) and, most importantly, implementing a refined “one policy per segment” management model for 215.8 km of coastline. This strategy provides the specific, differentiated control measures needed to balance competing interests, ensuring that ecological shorelines are protected while development needs are met in appropriate zones.

In conclusion, the governance models of both cities are defined by this clear hierarchy: a guiding philosophy is first established, which is then given force through a set of specific, interlocking supporting strategies involving legislation, enforcement, spatial planning, and direct ecological engineering.

3.2. Integration of Ecological Restoration with Tourism and Leisure Industries

Qingdao and Weihai successfully integrated coastal wetland ecological restoration with the tourism and leisure industry, forming a development model of benign interaction between protection and utilization. In the Jiaozhou Bay rectify, Qingdao not only focused on restoring wetland ecological functions but also simultaneously planned the construction of hydrophilic spaces and ecological sightseeing corridors. Through projects like returning aquaculture ponds to the sea and river course remediation, the water quality of Jiaozhou Bay significantly improved, and the coastal landscape was greatly enhanced, attracting a large number of tourists and boosting coastal tourism.

Weihai deeply integrated ecological restoration with tourism development, implementing a number of exemplary restoration projects such as “Blue Bay,” “Ecological Island,” and “Golden Coast.” For example, the Jiulong Bay comprehensive improvement project transformed a previously degraded coastal zone into a hotspot for public recreation and tourism through beach restoration, vegetation recovery, and landscape enhancement. The Da Rushan Marine Park environmental protection project is a typical case of social capital participation in ecological restoration. Through corporate investment in wetland restoration and landscape construction, the project successfully turned an ecologically damaged area into a national marine park, achieving a win–win for ecological and economic benefits, even being presented at the Paris Climate Conference for experience exchange [16,17]. The above discussion can be found in Table 3.

3.3. Community Participation and Ecological Awareness Enhancement

Both Qingdao and Weihai attached importance to the role of community participation and public ecological awareness in coastal wetland conservation, forming a favorable situation of multi-stakeholder co-governance. Qingdao conducts annual special law enforcement campaigns like “Sea Shield, Blue Sea, Blue Arrow,” encouraging public reporting of illegal activities, while also carrying out publicity and education during events like Wetland Day and Environment Day to raise citizens’ awareness of wetland protection. Weihai guides social forces to participate in wetland protection and management through establishing volunteer teams and conducting wetland protection public welfare activities.

Notably, both places emphasized interest coordination and benefit-sharing mechanisms in promoting community participation. Taking Weihai as an example, when implementing coastal zone restoration projects, the livelihood issues of local residents and fishermen are fully considered, reducing direct conflicts between protection and development by providing alternative employment and skills training. Meanwhile, by improving the coastal environment, the quality of life and property values of surrounding communities are enhanced, allowing residents to tangibly benefit from ecological protection, thus motivating them to participate more actively in conservation activities [18,19]. The above discussion can be found in Table 4.

4. Qinhuangdao Coastal Wetland Utilization Status and Sustainable Development Challenges

4.1. Coexistence of Wetland Resource Development and Ecological Degradation

Qinhuangdao City has a coastline of 162.7 km, a sea area of 1805 square kilometers, and possesses rich and diverse coastal wetland resources. Coastal wetlands are mainly distributed along the coast from Laolongtou to the Luanhe River estuary, covering a total area of about 400 square kilometers, including typical areas such as Beidaihe Wetland, Golden Coast Wetland, and Luanhe River Estuary Wetland. These wetlands hold a key position on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, serving as important habitats and stopover sites for numerous rare birds. Unique geological landscapes like the internationally rare Golden Coast sand dunes and Qilihai Lagoon have special conservation value [20].

However, similar to many coastal cities, Qinhuangdao’s coastal wetlands face acute contradictions between development and protection [21,22]. Over the past few decades, with accelerated urbanization, Qinhuangdao’s coastal wetlands have shown a clear trend of degradation. Data indicates that the area of Qilihai Lagoon was about 15 square kilometers in the 1950s but has significantly shrunk due to wetland reclamation and development activities [23,24,25,26,27]. The distribution of natural wetlands shows an “islanding” trend, where originally continuously distributed natural tidal flats are artificially segmented into isolated patches, hindering the continuous succession and development of wetland biological communities [28,29,30].

Multiple factors contribute to the degradation of Qinhuangdao’s coastal wetlands: firstly, reclamation development, where port construction and real estate expansion occupy large wetland areas; secondly, pollution pressure, where land-based pollutants discharged into the sea via rivers like the Shihe, Tanghe, and Daihe degrade wetland water quality; thirdly, water resource shortage, reduced precipitation in North China combined with upstream interception significantly decreases runoff into the sea, causing freshwater shortage and increased salinity in coastal wetlands; fourthly, climate change, sea-level rise and coastal erosion exacerbate wetland degradation. These factors collectively severely damage the ecosystem service functions of Qinhuangdao’s coastal wetlands [31,32,33].

4.2. Conflicts Between Tourism, Aquaculture, and Ecological Protection

As a famous tourist city, there is a complex relationship between tourism development and wetland protection in Qinhuangdao. On one hand, a good coastal wetland environment is an important component of tourist attractions; products like bird watching in Beidaihe Wetland and leisure at the Golden Coast directly rely on wetland resources. On the other hand, tourism facility construction and tourist activities disturb wetland ecosystems. Especially during peak seasons, the influx of tourists increases the environmental carrying capacity pressure on wetlands, highlighting issues like sewage and garbage [34,35,36].

Aquaculture is another industry significantly conflicting with wetland protection. Since the 1990s, the coastal areas of Qinhuangdao have vigorously developed shallow sea and tidal flat aquaculture. The expansion of aquaculture ponds directly destroys the original water network and ecological structure of wetlands. Although the municipal government has intensified efforts to clean up illegal aquaculture in recent years, such as the comprehensive withdrawal of raft marine aquaculture in Beidaihe District with compensation paid, historical outstanding issues remain, and the task of ecological restoration is arduous [37].

The essence of these conflicts lies in the contradiction between short-term economic benefits and long-term ecological benefits, as well as the Game theory among different stakeholders. Resolving these conflicts requires establishing effective interest coordination mechanisms, ensuring the livelihoods of local communities while promoting the ecological transformation of industries to achieve a balance between protection and development. The above discussion can be found in Table 5 and Figure 3.

4.3. Lack of Systematic Synergistic Mechanisms

A core issue facing coastal wetland conservation in Qinhuangdao is the lack of systematic synergistic mechanisms. First, there is a problem of “multiple management, overlapping responsibilities” in the management system, where departments for marine, forestry, environment, land, etc., operate in silos without a unified coordination mechanism. This fragmented management leads to low policy implementation efficiency and even policy conflicts.

Secondly, funding is insufficient and sources are singular, primarily relying on government financial input, lacking effective participation from market and social capital. Qinhuangdao lacks dedicated funding support for wetland resource surveys, protected area construction, sewage treatment, wetland monitoring, etc., constraining the in-depth development of conservation work. In contrast, Qingdao and Weihai successfully attracted social capital to participate in ecological restoration, forming a diversified investment mechanism.

Thirdly, public participation mechanisms are imperfect. Surveys indicate low public participation in wetland protection in the Yellow River Basin, a situation also existing in Qinhuangdao. Limited participation channels, shallow participation levels, and insufficient incentive mechanisms restrict the role of social forces in wetland protection.

Finally, a land–sea coordination mechanism is missing. Qinhuangdao’s coastal wetland protection is disconnected from watershed management, lacking effective coordination for controlling land-based pollutants. Although the River Chief system has been implemented, obstacles still exist in cross-regional, cross-departmental collaborative governance, making it difficult to achieve whole-process control from source to sea. The above discussion can be found in Table 6.

5. Construction of Synergistic Development Pathways for Qinhuangdao’s Coastal Wetlands and the City

Based on the preceding discussion, directly transferring Qingdao and Weihai’s strategies to Qinhuangdao would not be locally appropriate. While the core principles of integrated management and ecology-economy synergy are universally valuable, a simple copy-paste approach is likely to fail due to significant contextual differences. Instead, the strategies must be, and can be, strategically adapted to suit Qinhuangdao’s specific local conditions.

The inappropriateness of direct transfer stems from several key factors: (1) Unique Ecological Context: Qinhuangdao’s coastal wetlands, such as those in Beidaihe or the Luanhe estuary, have distinct hydrogeological conditions, biodiversity (e.g., as a critical stopover for migratory birds), and degradation pressures compared to Jiaozhou Bay. A restoration technique perfect for one ecosystem might be ineffective or even damaging in another. (2) Differing Socio-Economic Drivers: The primary economic drivers and urban development pressures in Qinhuangdao, which may lean more heavily on specific types of tourism or different industrial structures, will not be identical to those of Qingdao (a major port and industrial hub) or Weihai. A zoning plan designed for Weihai’s economic mix may not align with Qinhuangdao’s development needs. (3) Varied Institutional and Governance Capacity: The specific legal frameworks, enforcement capabilities, and existing planning documents in Qinhuangdao will differ. Directly importing a complex regulatory system like Qingdao’s “three no-approvals” without assessing local administrative capacity could render it unenforceable.

However, the successful strategies from Qingdao and Weihai provide an invaluable “toolkit” for adaptation, not a rigid blueprint. The adaptation process would involve: (1) Diagnosing Local Conditions: The first step is a thorough analysis of Qinhuangdao’s specific challenges—identifying the most threatened wetland areas, key pollution sources, main economic sectors, and spatial conflicts along its coastline. (2) Selecting and Customizing Tools: From Qingdao, Qinhuangdao could adopt the principle of “ecological red lines” but must draw the lines based on its own critical habitats and ecological corridors. It could emulate the “Blue Bay” model but focus restoration efforts on its own most degraded and critical wetland segments, using native plant species suitable for its environment. From Weihai, the “one policy per segment” concept is highly transferable, but the segmentation must be based on Qinhuangdao’s own coastline characteristics. The classification of shorelines into “ecological, living, and production” would need to be redefined according to Qinhuangdao’s land-use plans and conservation priorities. (3) In conclusion, the correct approach is not direct transfer but intelligent, context-sensitive adaptation. Qinhuangdao should learn from the governance philosophies and methodologies of Qingdao and Weihai—such as integrated zoning, strict enforcement based on scientific planning, and targeted ecological restoration—and then tailor these approaches to fit its unique ecological landscape, economic aspirations, and institutional reality to forge its own synergistic development pathway.

Based on the above viewpoints, we have arrived at the following countermeasures.

5.1. Formulating a “Wetland+” Multi-Format Integrated Development Strategy

Addressing the conflict between protection and utilization of coastal wetlands in Qinhuangdao, a “wetland+” multi-format integrated development strategy should be innovatively formulated, organically combining wetland ecological protection with urban industrial upgrading. The core of this strategy is to treat wetlands as the ecological substrate and strategic resource for urban development, achieving diversified value conversion of ecological values through models like “wetland + tourism”, “wetland + wellness”, and “wetland + culture”.

Specifically, the “Qinhuangdao Coastal Zone Ecological Industry Development Plan” should be compiled first, clarifying suitable formats for different wetland areas. For areas with high ecological sensitivity and tourism value like Beidaihe and Golden Coast, focus on developing eco-tourism and nature education; for areas with certain ecological recovery capacity like Qilihai and Luanhe River Estuary, moderately develop wetland wellness and eco-agriculture; for already artificialized wetland areas, achieve harmony between production, life, and ecology through ecological transformation.

Secondly, drawing on Weihai’s “three-life integration” (production, life, ecology) coastal zone planning concept, Qinhuangdao’s coastal zone should be divided into ecological protection zones, ecological restoration zones, and moderate utilization zones, implementing differentiated control strategies. Particularly, strictly protect coastal wetlands with important ecological functions, such as bird habitats and breeding grounds, prohibiting or restricting development activities to maintain the ecological security bottom line. Finally, promote the integration of coastal wetlands with the urban spatial structure by connecting isolated wetland patches through ecological corridor construction, forming a continuous and complete ecological network. Simultaneously, integrate ecological nodes like wetland parks and protected areas with the urban green space system to build a blue-green intertwined ecological city framework, enhancing the city’s overall ecological function.

To resolve the core conflict between wetland protection and utilization in Qinhuangdao, a data-informed “Wetland+” integrated strategy must be developed, transitioning from resource exploitation to ecosystem-service-valued development. The strategy’s core involves treating wetlands as quantifiable ecological assets, with diversified value realization through targeted models like “wetland + eco-tourism”, “wetland + wellness”, and “wetland + cultural education”.

Specific, actionable measures include the following:

(1) Develop the “Qinhuangdao Coastal Zone Ecological Industry Digital Layout Plan”: This plan will utilize GIS-based ecological sensitivity and ecosystem service value assessments to create a spatially explicit industrial suitability map.

High-Sensitivity Zones (e.g., Beidaihe, Golden Coast): Designate as Priority Eco-Tourism and Nature Education Zones. Implement a Digital Visitor Management System with real-time capacity monitoring, capping daily visitors at a scientifically determined threshold (e.g., X000 visitors/day). Introduce AR-powered interpretive trails to minimize physical infrastructure.

Moderate-Use Zones (e.g., Qilihai, Luanhe Estuary): Permit “wetland wellness” and “precision eco-agriculture” only after achieving >80% restoration success rate on key indicators (e.g., water quality Grade III, native vegetation cover). Mandate continuous monitoring via IoT sensor networks tracking at least 5 core ecological metrics (e.g., turbidity, biodiversity index).

(2) Enforce a Smart “Three-Zone” Management Framework: Building on Weihai’s concept, implement a dynamic zoning system:

Strict Protection Zones: Enforce no-development policies in critical bird habitats and breeding grounds, protected by electronic perimeter fencing (e-fencing) and AI-powered camera traps for 24/7 automated surveillance.

Ecological Restoration Buffers & Moderate Utilization Zones: Define clear, legally binding boundaries for each.

(3) Construct a Smart Ecological Network: Use circuit theory or least-cost path modeling to identify and design optimal ecological corridors. Integrate wetland parks and protected areas into a city-wide “Blue-Green Smart Grid”, managed via a central platform receiving real-time data from environmental sensors, enabling proactive ecological management.

5.2. Promoting the Combination of Eco-Tourism, Wellness Industries, and Wetland Protection

As a famous tourist city, Qinhuangdao should fully utilize its coastal wetland resources to promote the high-quality development of eco-tourism and wellness industries. On one hand, learning from Qingdao’s Jiaozhou Bay experience, synchronously consider tourism functions during wetland restoration, constructing ecological sightseeing corridors and hydrophilic spaces. For example, in Beidaihe National Wetland Park, facilities like bird watching towers and ecological interpretation trails could be reasonably planned to conduct eco-tourism activities like wetland bird watching and nature education, reducing interference with sensitive ecological areas.

On the other hand, develop new wetland wellness formats based on market demand and resource characteristics. Wetland environments have effects like stress relief and health promotion, which can be organically combined with the wellness industry. It is recommended to moderately develop wetland wellness bases within ecological carrying capacity, providing products like forest bathing and natural therapy to meet the growing demand for health tourism. Meanwhile, ensure wellness activities are eco-friendly, control development intensity and tourist capacity, and avoid negative impacts on the wetland environment.

In industrial development, special attention should be paid to community benefits and benefit sharing, allowing local residents to obtain tangible economic benefits from wetland protection. This can be achieved by providing public welfare jobs, supporting community enterprises, and establishing ecological compensation mechanisms to guide local community participation in wetland protection and sustainable utilization, forming a virtuous cycle of protection and development. The above discussion can be found in Table 7.

As a premier tourist destination, Qinhuangdao must align its tourism and wellness development strictly with the quantified ecological carrying capacity of its wetland ecosystems.

Key implementation actions are as follows:

(1) Pilot a “Smart Wetland Park” Model at Beidaihe National Wetland Park: Implement an Integrated “Online Booking-Capacity Control-Intelligent Routing” System. This system will use real-time data from environmental sensors to dynamically manage visitor flow, redirecting paths automatically if activity is detected in sensitive zones. Develop a “Silent Docents” mobile app with GPS-triggered audio interpretation and virtual bird-watching features, drastically reducing the need for physical structures and human disturbance near core habitats.

(2) Develop Data-Informed Wellness Formats: Establish Wetland Wellness Bases only in zones pre-approved by the digital layout plan. Offer services like “Forest Bathing” and “Nature Therapy” while operating under a strict Environmental Performance Contract, which legally binds operators to maintain predefined ecological standards (e.g., noise levels < Y dB, water quality standards).

(3) Implement a Transparent Community Benefit-Sharing Platform: Use a digital platform to formalize benefit-sharing. Link local communities to wetland economies by: Prioritizing locals for stewardship jobs (e.g., park rangers, sensor maintenance). Creating a digital marketplace for community-run eco-enterprises. Establishing a digital ecological compensation fund, where a fixed percentage of tourism revenue is automatically allocated to community conservation projects, with transparent public reporting.

5.3. Establishing Ecological Compensation and Green Finance Mechanisms

Ecological compensation is an important economic means to regulate the conflict between wetland protection and utilization. Qinhuangdao can learn from the U.S. wetland mitigation banking experience to explore establishing market-based, diversified ecological compensation mechanisms. Wetland mitigation banking is a forward-looking ecological compensation model that allows developers to fund wetland protection and restoration elsewhere by purchasing “credits” before damaging wetlands, achieving a “balance between occupation and compensation.”

Specifically for Qinhuangdao, a wetland mitigation banking system could be piloted in a small area first, clarifying the measurement standards, trading rules, and regulatory mechanisms for wetland “credits.” Simultaneously, integrating with China’s reality, establish a comprehensive compensation system including government compensation, market compensation, and social compensation. Government compensation is mainly achieved through fiscal transfer payments and ecological protection rewards; market compensation can explore models like wetland carbon sink trading and water rights trading; social compensation encourages enterprises and individuals to participate through donations, volunteer services, etc.

Green finance is an important guarantee supporting wetland protection and restoration. It is recommended that Qinhuangdao innovate investment and financing mechanisms by establishing a Coastal Wetland Protection Fund to attract social capital investment. The fund can prioritize supporting profitable projects like eco-tourism and wellness, achieving government-social capital cooperation and win–win through PPP models. Meanwhile, encourage financial institutions to develop green credit, green bonds, and other financial products to provide preferential financing support for wetland-friendly industries [38,39]. The above discussion can be found in Table 8.

Qinhuangdao should pioneer innovative economic instruments to create a self-sustaining financing loop for wetland conservation.

The focused implementation plan is as follows:

(1) Launch a Qinhuangdao Wetland Mitigation Bank Pilot: Within 3 years, establish a pilot bank in a designated moderate-use zone.

Action: Develop a standardized “Wetland Credit” metric based on hectares, functional units, and habitat quality scores. Create a digital trading platform for credit transactions, ensuring full transparency and regulatory oversight.

(2) Create a Multi-tiered Ecological Compensation Fund: Government Tier: Allocate municipal fiscal transfers specifically tied to achieving annual wetland health KPIs.

Market Tier: Explore the development of Wetland Carbon Sink Projects for verification and trading under national schemes.

Social Tier: Launch a “Qinhuangdao Wetland Guardian” online portal for corporate and individual donations, with project tracking and impact reporting.

(3) Mobilize Green Capital via a Coastal Wetland Fund: Formally establish the “Qinhuangdao Coastal Wetland Conservation Fund” with an initial government injection, aiming to attract private capital.

Focus: The fund will prioritize co-investing with the private sector in bankable green projects (e.g., sustainable aquaculture, eco-lodges) via PPP models.

Incentive: Work with financial institutions to create a “Green Project List” and offer tiered preferential loans and green bonds for listed projects, with interest rates tied to verified ecological performance.

5.4. Strengthening Public Education and Social Participation

Public education and social participation are long-term mechanisms for coastal wetland conservation. Addressing the low public participation in wetland protection in Qinhuangdao, improvements can be made from the following aspects:

First, enrich the forms of publicity and education to raise public awareness of wetland protection. Besides traditional media, make full use of new media platforms to carry out vivid and diverse publicity and education activities. Simultaneously, strengthen wetland protection content in school education to cultivate youngsters’ sense of ecological responsibility. Facilities like the Beidaihe Wetland Bird Watching Base and Bird Museum should better play their role in nature education, regularly holding lectures, exhibitions, and practical activities.

Second, broaden participation channels to lower the threshold for public participation. Establish a wetland protection volunteer network to provide a convenient platform for public participation. Encourage community participation in wetland management, promote the “community co-management” model, and let local residents become guardians and beneficiaries of wetlands. Qinhuangdao can learn from the experience of wetland protection in the Yellow River Basin by establishing a public supervision platform for wetland protection, encouraging the public to report illegal activities and participate in protection effect assessments.

Third, improve incentive mechanisms to increase public participation enthusiasm. Recognize and reward individuals, communities, and organizations outstanding in wetland protection, creating a good atmosphere for whole-society participation in wetland protection. Simultaneously, explore innovative methods like “ecological points” to record and reward public environmental protection behaviors, forming a positive incentive cycle.

Finally, strengthen information disclosure to guarantee the public’s right to know and supervise. Regularly publish wetland protection status bulletins, timely disclose environmental impact assessment information of development projects, and accept social supervision. Through hearings, consultation meetings, etc., allow the public to participate in major decision-making processes, improving decision-making transparency and scientificity. The above discussion can be found in Table 9 and Figure 4.

Moving beyond traditional awareness campaigns, Qinhuangdao should leverage technology to foster a data-literate and actively engaged citizenry.

Targeted digital initiatives include the following:

(1) Deploy an Immersive Digital Education Toolkit: Transform the Beidaihe Bird Museum into a “Wetland Digital Experience Center” featuring: Interactive data dashboards showing real-time wetland health metrics. VR bird migration simulators and live streams from nest cameras. A dedicated educational app with gamified learning modules integrated into local school curricula.

(2) Launch a “Citizen Scientist” Digital Platform: Develop a comprehensive platform and mobile app to enable public participation. Features must include: A one-click violation reporting tool with GPS photo/video upload. Structured citizen science programs (e.g., bird count, water quality testing) where uploaded data is validated and integrated into official monitoring datasets. A “Community Co-management” module allowing neighborhood committees to report on and manage local wetland patches.

(3) Implement a Digital Incentivization System: Introduce a “Green Points” program to reward pro-environmental behavior.

6. Conclusions, Policy Recommendations and Limitations

6.1. Research Conclusions

This study, through systematic analysis of the successful experiences of Qingdao and Weihai in coordinating coastal wetland conservation with urban development, combined with the actual situation of Qinhuangdao, draws the following main conclusions:

First, coastal wetlands are important assets for the sustainable development of coastal cities, not obstacles. Through scientific planning and rational utilization, coastal wetlands can become an important guarantee for urban ecological security and high-quality resources for green economic development. The practices of Qingdao and Weihai show that protection and development can be synergistically advanced, achieving a win–win for ecological and economic benefits.

Second, the main problems facing Qinhuangdao’s coastal wetland protection are prominent conflicts between development and protection, significant industry-ecology conflicts, and lack of systematic synergistic mechanisms. These problems need to be systematically solved through innovative governance models, optimized industrial structures, and improved institutional design.

Third, building an ecological security pattern based on the “three-line integration” spatial strategy is an effective way to coordinate wetland protection and urban development. By delineating ecological red line areas, ecological restoration green line areas, and ecological reservation blue line areas, the integrity protection and adaptive management of wetland ecosystems can be achieved.

Fourth, promoting the synergistic development of coastal wetlands and cities requires multi-stakeholder co-governance. The joint participation and collaboration of multiple entities such as the government, enterprises, social organizations, and the public is key to forming a conservation synergy.

6.2. Policy Recommendations

Based on the research conclusions, the following policy recommendations are proposed:

First, improve the laws, regulations, and system to provide legal guarantees for coastal wetland conservation. It is recommended that Hebei Province or Qinhuangdao City leverage the newly revised Hebei Wetland Protection Regulation (effective 1 October 2025) as a legal foundation to formulate specific coastal zone management regulations. These regulations should explicitly define responsibility subjects for wetland protection, utilization boundaries, and compensation mechanisms, aligning with the provincial regulation’s emphasis on wetland area total control, graded management, and a listing system. For instance, the regulation’s provisions on prohibiting destructive activities like unauthorized reclamation and filling of natural wetlands should be strictly enforced. Simultaneously, the ecological protection red line system must be implemented to ensure strict protection of important wetlands, such as integrating them into the national park or natural reserve system, as mandated by the regulation [40].

Second, innovate management systems and mechanisms to solve the problem of “multiple management.” It is recommended to establish the Qinhuangdao Coastal Zone Management Committee to coordinate responsibilities across marine, environmental protection, forestry, and planning departments, achieving integrated land–sea coordination and management. This aligns with the Hebei Wetland Protection Regulation, which calls for strengthened inter-departmental collaboration and the application of advanced technologies like big data and IoT for resource monitoring and information sharing. Additionally, cross-regional collaboration mechanisms should be established, particularly for synergistic protection of important wetlands like the Luanhe River Estuary with neighboring areas such as Tangshan City. The successful ecological protection and restoration of Tangshan’s Caofeidian seagrass bed, which was recognized as a national typical case in 2025, can serve as a valuable model for such collaborative efforts [41].

Third, increase funding investment to form a diversified investment pattern. On one hand, the government should increase financial investment to support wetland protection, restoration, and scientific research and monitoring. On the other hand, social capital participation should be attracted through policy incentives, exploring market-oriented operation models like wetland carbon sink trading and eco-tourism franchising. The Hebei Wetland Protection Regulation encourages activities such as eco-tourism and natural experiences that align with wetland protection goals, and promotes the transformation of wetland carbon sink value. Furthermore, international funding mechanisms can be tapped into. For example, the Global Environment Facility’s “Migratory Bird Protection Network Project” along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), which has a grant amount of $10 million and aims to protect and restore approximately 600,000 hectares of wetlands (including 300,000 hectares of internationally important wetlands) in China, could serve as a potential source of support and a model for large-scale habitat restoration. Locally, the implementation of the Qinhuangdao Territorial Space Ecological Restoration Plan (2021–2035), with its focus on key projects, can also guide targeted investment [42].

Finally, integrate coastal wetland conservation into the national strategic framework. It is recommended to integrate Qinhuangdao’s coastal wetland protection and restoration into the national strategies of building a strong maritime country and ecological civilization, striving for policy and financial support. Simultaneously, actively participate in international cooperation such as the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF) Partnership network to enhance the international level of conservation management. A successful precedent is the recently renewed Memorandum of Understanding (2025) between the Dandong Yalu River Estuary Wetland in China and New Zealand’s Miranda Reserve, which focuses on joint research, information sharing, and protection of migratory shorebirds like the bar-tailed godwit. This model of transnational cooperation can be referenced for key wetlands in Qinhuangdao. Moreover, the successful designation of the “Dandong Yalu River Estuary Migratory Bird Habitat” as a World Natural Heritage site demonstrates how such international recognition can elevate conservation efforts and promote the integration of ecology with local culture and sustainable development. The synergistic advancement of coastal wetland conservation and urban sustainable development is a systematic project requiring the joint efforts of the government, enterprises, and the public. By learning from the successful experiences of Qingdao and Weihai and innovating practices based on local realities, Qinhuangdao can certainly forge a path of synergistic development between coastal wetland conservation and the city with local characteristics, contributing to the construction of a beautiful bay city with “clear water, clean beaches, soaring fish and gulls, and harmony between humans and the sea.” The above discussion can be found in Table 10 and Figure 5.

6.3. Limitations and Future Research

This study has several limitations. Primarily, its reliance on qualitative case studies of Qingdao and Weihai, while insightful, limits the generalizability of the findings. The proposed pathways for Qinhuangdao, though theoretically grounded, lack empirical validation and quantitative assessment of their potential socio-economic and ecological impacts. Furthermore, the research does not fully account for the dynamic pressures of climate change, such as precise sea-level rise scenarios and their specific implications for Qinhuangdao’s coastal wetlands. The analysis of governance mechanisms also focuses on structural integration without deeply exploring the potential political and institutional barriers to their implementation.

Future research should prioritize developing quantitative models to simulate and predict the outcomes of the proposed synergistic pathways, integrating specific ecological and economic data from Qinhuangdao. Longitudinal studies are needed to monitor the long-term effectiveness of transferred strategies. Research should also expand its geographical scope to include a comparative analysis of other coastal cities within the Bohai Bay Rim and beyond, identifying transferable models under varying developmental contexts. Finally, interdisciplinary investigations that incorporate detailed climate adaptation models and robust policy implementation frameworks are essential to build resilient and sustainable coastal governance systems.

Author Contributions

J.L., W.X. and B.L. designed the study and wrote the paper; J.L. and B.L. supervised the writing of the paper; J.L. and B.L. collected and collated the materials and undertook the field data collection. J.L. and W.X. are co-first authors. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was supported by National Social Science Fund-Major Project ‘Research on Monitoring and Early Warning of China’s Biodiversity Security under the Background of High-Level Opening-up’ (Project No.: 22&ZD088), Hebei Science and Technology Research and Development Program Soft Science Research Project “Research on the Path and Key Measures of Optimizing Business Environment in Science and Technology in Hebei Province” (No.: 24457608D) and Scientific Research Program Project of Hebei Provincial Department of Education-Major Research Project of Humanities and Social Sciences “Research on the Development of Hebei Province’s Characteristic Industries toward the Sea Economy” (No.: ZD202406).

Institutional Review Board Statement

Not applicable.

Informed Consent Statement

Not applicable.

Data Availability Statement

The original contributions presented in this study are included in the article. Further inquiries can be directed to the corresponding authors.

Conflicts of Interest

We declare that we do not have any commercial or associative interests that represent a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted work.

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Figure 1. Theoretical Framework of the Synergy System Between Coastal Wetland Conservation and Urban Development.

Figure 2. Pathway Analysis of Transferring Qingdao and Weihai Experience to Qinhuangdao.

Figure 3. Analysis of Pressure Sources on Qinhuangdao’s Coastal Wetlands. Note: The content of this table is derived from the author’s summary and generalization.

Figure 4. Framework for Synergistic Development Pathways of Qinhuangdao’s Coastal Wetlands and the City.

Figure 5. Implementation Roadmap for Qinhuangdao Coastal Wetland Conservation and Urban Synergistic Development.

Table 1. Major Threats to Coastal Wetlands in China and Their Impact Levels.

Threat Type	Impact Level	Main Manifestations	Scope of Impact
Reclamation & Development	Severe	Conversion of coastal wetlands to construction/port land	Widespread
Pollution Discharge	Severe	Land-based pollutants entering the sea via rivers, causing eutrophication	Widespread
Overfishing	Moderate	Decline in marine biological resources, damaged food chains	Locally Severe
Climate Change	Increasing	Sea-level rise, intensified coastal erosion	Widespread
Invasive Species	Moderate	Ecosystem imbalance, reduced biodiversity	Localized