AccScience Publishing / JCAU / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/jcau.4501
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Feasibility and challenges of cultural landscape and countryside conservation: A case study of the ngong ping tea factory

Sidney C. H. Cheung1 Alex W. H. Wong2*
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1 Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Arts, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
2 Institute of Future Cities, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Journal of Chinese Architecture and Urbanism, 4501 https://doi.org/10.36922/jcau.4501
Submitted: 12 August 2024 | Revised: 21 January 2025 | Accepted: 5 February 2025 | Published: 4 March 2025
© 2025 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution -Noncommercial 4.0 International License (CC-by the license) ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/ )
Abstract

In Hong Kong, while many rural areas have remained relatively untouched due to their remote locations, certain regions continue to face pressure for further development. As a result, there is an urgent need to conserve or document the remaining cultural heritage resources in these areas. However, not all landowners support conservation efforts, particularly when the land holds significant economic potential. This study investigates the constraints and challenges encountered in initiating a conservation project at the privately owned Ngong Ping Tea Estate, a site distinguished by its significant cultural landscape in Hong Kong. Most of the buildings at the Tea Estate are not protected under the current built heritage conservation framework, and much of the land falls under the “recreation” zoning category, which is statutorily approved under Hong Kong’s Town Planning Ordinance. This zoning encourages the development of both active and passive recreation, as well as tourism, in line with the surrounding tourist destinations. The development rights associated with the site present an attractive opportunity for the landowner; however, they also pose a substantial challenge to preserving the cultural heritage in situ. By sharing the preliminary conservation efforts undertaken by our team, this study aims to highlight the difficulties faced by researchers and other stakeholders while exploring potential solutions through ongoing engagement and collaboration with relevant parties.

Keywords
Countryside conservation
Cultural landscape
Hong Kong
Conservation mechanisms
Public engagement
Funding
The study is funded by the Lantau Conservation Fund (grant number: RE-2021-11), administered by the Civil Engineering and Development Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Conflict of interest
Sidney C. H. Cheung is the Guest Editor of this special issue; however, they were not involved in the editorial or peer-review process conducted for this article, either directly or indirectly. Separately, the other authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have influenced the work reported in this study.
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Journal of Chinese Architecture and Urbanism, Electronic ISSN: 2717-5626 Published by AccScience Publishing