fengyi wu's visionary urban project features a lush hedgehog habitat with diverse plants and pathways.

Fengyi Wu’s Visionary Design Revives Hedgehog Habitats in Urban Spaces

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Written by John Oliver

2026-08-10

Close-up of a hedgehog foraging among urban garden plants and leaves.

Urban spaces are often disconnected from nature, but Fengyi Wu is aiming to bridge this gap with the “Urban Living Library – Reclaiming the Hedgehog Habitat.” This innovative approach transforms fragmented urban areas into biodiverse ecological corridors, focusing on the hedgehog as a key species to guide ecological reconnection efforts.

Volunteers planting shrubs in an urban space to create hedgehog-friendly areas.

Transforming urban spaces: Revolutionary landscape architecture

Wu’s design integrates habitat creation with opportunities for learning and community interaction. The approach includes dense planting, wildlife shelters, and rainwater landscapes. These elements are woven into the urban fabric to create environments that support both residents and local wildlife. Instead of separating ecological infrastructure from human activities, Wu’s strategy harmonizes them, enriching public spaces with nature.

Hedgehog house made of wood nestled in an urban garden setting.

Enhancing public engagement with nature

The project underscores the need for cities to actively design for biodiversity, moving beyond mere accommodation. This initiative interlaces public spaces with gardens and ecological corridors, inviting city dwellers to engage with nature. It serves as a model for resilient urban development, asking critical questions about ecological connectivity and habitat preservation.

Discover how spiral design and lush gardens can transform spaces, blending architecture with nature effortlessly.

Diagram showing the layout and features of an urban hedgehog habitat plan.
City street with sidewalk greenery and signs promoting wildlife-friendly environments.

Integrating education and community spaces

Wu’s design also emphasizes informal educational opportunities. Shaded, informal seating and community spaces foster interactions between people and nature, turning every corner of the city into a learning environment. By transforming urban landscapes into shared spaces for humans and wildlife, the project aims to nurture both community and biodiversity.

Explore the innovative use of plants in public design with Estúdio Clara Nahas’ memory-infused space at CASACOR São Paulo 2026.

Children observing a hedgehog under supervision in an urban park area.
Illustration of a hedgehog's natural habitat incorporated into city landscapes.

A cohesive ecological framework

The masterplan proposes a comprehensive ecological framework that combines public spaces with wildlife habitats. This visionary blend of planting, shelter, and ecological corridors aims to seamlessly connect human activities with thriving wildlife networks, demonstrating how urban design can contribute to ecological restoration.

Community meeting discussing urban wildlife conservation and habitat restoration projects.

Wu’s vision for the “Urban Living Library” exemplifies how thoughtful landscape architecture can revitalise city spaces, encouraging coexistence between people and nature. All images are ©Fengyi Wu.

Sources & Links

Source: designboom.com

Frequently asked questions

How does Fengyi Wu’s design benefit urban wildlife?

Fengyi Wu’s design benefits urban wildlife by transforming fragmented urban areas into biodiverse ecological corridors, focusing on the hedgehog as a key species to guide ecological reconnection efforts. This approach includes dense planting, wildlife shelters, and rainwater landscapes, which support both local wildlife and residents.

What is the focus of the Urban Living Library project?

The focus of the Urban Living Library project is to reclaim the hedgehog habitat by integrating residential spaces with ecological corridors, effectively merging human activities with ecological infrastructure to enrich public spaces with nature.

How does the project promote public engagement with nature?

The project promotes public engagement with nature by interlacing public spaces with gardens and ecological corridors, inviting city dwellers to engage with nature, and providing informal educational opportunities through shaded seating and community spaces.