The significance, conservation potential and challenges of a traditional farming landscape in an Asian Metropolis: a case study of Lai Chi Wo, Hong Kong

Abstract

Lai Chi Wo is a remote farming valley located in the northeast of Hong Kong, China. The agricultural landscape is the result of more than 300 years of interaction between a traditional Hakka settlement and its natural environment, which reflects the ancient Chinese Feng Shui philosophy. Although the site is one of the most intact and authentic vernacular cultural landscapes in South China, with important environmental and cultural values, there is no effective protection system available to conserve the landscape as a whole. Its isolation, and the weak attachment of the younger generation further threaten the landscape’s sustainability. Since 2013, a collaborative local initiative has been implemented to revitalize the landscape, the natural and cultural heritage, and the community of this once-deserted village. The regeneration of this agricultural landscape has provided a portal for wider society to participate in the environmental and cultural stewardship process.