The Masterplanners received the 2007 Sustainability in Urban Design Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Hong Kong Chapter, for the Sanya Haitang Bay National Seashore Masterplan, which recommended the establishment of a natural preserve in the pristine southeastern corner of Hainan Island. The 153-square-kilometre site would be the first National Seashore in China and would include limited sustainable eco-resort developments. The project approach was a landmark in China: to create China’s first National Seashore, utilizing best practice analysis of similar programs elsewhere around the world. The Masterplan recommended the establishment of a natural preserve for the 153-square-kilometre site, which would serve the dual purposes of satisfying development interests without spoiling the pristine and untouched qualities of this wondrous area. Limited sustainable eco-resort developments would help in the preservation of the local environment and economy, as the economic improvements brought on by this investment would subsidize conservation programs and boost local artisan and agricultural economies. By combining synergistic economic, social, and environmental considerations, the Haitang Bay National Seashore Masterplan embraces a truly sustainable approach.