IPSI Case Study Summary Sheet
Basic Information
Title of case study
Living Water & Community Revitalization - An Agricultural-led Action, Engagement and Incubation Programme
at Lai Chi Wo (Sustainable Lai Chi Wo Programme)
Submitting IPSI member organization
Policy for Sustainability Lab of the Faculty of Social Sciences at The University of Hong Kong
Other contributing organization Not applicable.
Policy for Sustainability Lab of the Faculty of Social Sciences at The University
Author and affiliationof Hong Kong
Format of case study
Manuscript
Language
Englishfarming rehabilitation, eco-agriculture, community revitalization, rural-urban collaboration,
Keywords
sustainable development
Date of submission
05/07/2018
Web link
http://www.socsc.hku.hk/psl/laichiwo/

Geographical Information
CountryChinaLocation
Lai Chi Wo, Hong Kong
Longitude/latitude or Google Maps link
https://www.google.com/maps/@22.5267244,114.2416439,14z
Ecosystem(s)Forestx
Grassland
Agriculturalx
In-land waterx
Coastalx
Urban/periDryland
Mountain
OtherWetland
urban
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area
Lai Chi Wo Hakka village is rich in natural resources and high in ecological and landscape value. It has a long
paddy farming history, but villagers began to leave in the 1950s. Village desertion led to a loss in traditional
culture and biodiversity due to a lack of active management.
Description of human-nature interactions in the area
The Lai Chi Wo Hakka villagers in the past cut the nearby hilly slopes into terraces for paddy farming but theyprotected and managed the natural forest at the back of the village and along the coast as their Feng Shuiwoodlands. An environmentally friendly and self-sustained community was formed.

Contents
StatusCompleted
Period
10/2013 to 09/2017
Rationale
To combat the rapid loss of village culture and rural environment and communities amid urbanization in Asia,
Policy for Sustainability Lab launched the Sustainable Lai Chi Wo Programme to revitalize the desolate, remotetraditional farming landscape at Lai Chi Wo with a view to developing a sustainable rural revitalization model.
Objectives
To initiate a whole catchment approach to biodiversity and conservation; to revitalize agricultural activities
with innovative farming methods; to re-discover the community resources and facilitate appropriate use; todevelop the village as a sustainable development education hub; and to develop diverse local products andservices for a sustainable local economy.
Activities and/or practices employed

Adopting a “University-Government-Community-Business” collaborative approach, the Sustainable Lai Chi Wo
Programme worked on a wide array of activities, ranging from agricultural rehabilitation and communityrevitalization, to cultural reinvention, rural education, and biodiversity and hydrology-related research, with afocus on forging social innovation and cross-sectoral collaboration on revitalizing Lai Chi Wo.

Results
More than five hectares of farmlands were rehabilitated. The village has been repopulated from zero
population to around 20 inhabitants living and working at the site. Biodiversity and wetland functions of thevillage have been enhanced. Our rural revitalization approach is recognized by the Hong Kong government andthe UNDP.
Lessons learned
Success factors:
 We adopted a holistic set of sustainability principles
 The team found out an all-rounded revitalization approach through communication and negotiation
 A dedicated and multi-skilled programme team
 A genuine partnership between the government, corporate sector and the civil society
Key messages
It is important for village revitalization programmes to take a cross-sector collaborative partnership approachand to adopt a holistic and diversified model which comprises variegated forms of conservation concepts andalso takes care of the development of rural community livelihood.
Relationship to other IPSI activities Not applicable
Funding from The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited; and in-kind contribution
Fundingfrom PSL.

Contributions to Global Agendas
The table below shows based on the self-evaluation by author(s).  and  indicates the “direct” or “indirect” contributions to thefollowing global agendas respectively to which the work described in this case study contributes to.

CBD Aichi Biodiversity Targets (https://www.cbd.int/sp/targets/)
Strategic Goal A
Strategic Goal BStrategic Goal C

Strategic Goal DStrategic Goal EUN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs)