Hong Kong is well known for its high population density, towering skyline, and ultra-urban lifestyle. Yet, beyond the city lies another side of Asia’s World City, about three-quarters of the territory is countryside, with 24 country parks, 22 special conservation areas, and 77 largely deserted country park enclaves. These enclaves, once home to thriving agricultural and trading communities, are some of the last remaining links to Hong Kong’s traditional cultures and way of life.
Why the Need for Rural Revitalisation
From the 1950s onwards, mass emigration, isolation, lack of amenities, and freezes on development have led to the cultural, economic, and physical decline of these enclaves. The result: abandoned farmland, deteriorating heritage structures, and the loss of community life.
At the same time, Hong Kong imports 90% of its fresh meat and vegetables, and younger generations have fewer opportunities to engage with local heritage, agriculture, or nature. These rural areas offer untapped potential for:
- Food production to improve security and diversify the economy.
- Cultural heritage preservation to safeguard Hakka traditions and rural history.
- Ecosystem services that support biodiversity and climate resilience.
- Alternative lifestyles as a counterbalance to urban stress.
- Leisure and eco-tourism that can foster conservation awareness.
Lai Chi Wo, a 300-year-old Hakka village in the northeastern New Territories, is a successful prototype. Through the Sustainable Lai Chi Wo programme, farmland has been rehabilitated, traditional houses restored, and visitors and residents attracted back to the village.
The report proposes adapting and scaling this model to other enclaves, using a coordinated, cluster-based approach to create financially and environmentally sustainable “living villages.”
Policy Recommendation: Rural Renewal Authority (RRA)
Purpose: A quasi-governmental agency to promote, coordinate and fund the revitalisation of country park enclaves and rural renewal initiatives.
- Cluster-Based Approach
- Group enclaves into 10–15 clusters for effective management.
- Each cluster forms a Village Renewal Foundation (VR), overseen by a Village Cluster Committee (VCC).
- Funding and Operations
- Seed funding from RRA to VRs to initiate projects.
- Establish cluster enterprises run by third-party operators (preferably indigenous inhabitants or new residents).
- Operators pay a monthly fee and contribute 50% of surplus to VR.