The “HSBC Rural Sustainability Programme” of the Centre for Civil Society and Governance (CCSG) at The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has been selected to be one of the 11 winning projects for UN-Habitat’s 2021 Asian Townscape Awards (ATA). ATA was initiated by UN-Habitat’s Regional Office for Asia and Pacific, Asian Habitat Society, Fukuoka Asian Urban Research Center and Asia Townscape Design Society in 2010 to honour projects that effectively enhance living environment through urban transformation in Asian cities. The jury commended that the HSBC Rural Sustainability Programme “revived a devastated rural village into an ideal farm. The various organizations brought out the vitality of the people”. “We also focused on the interaction between rural and urban areas to make it sustainable,” the jury further commended.

Collaboration among the academic, business, public, and social sectors is the key to the Programme’s success. We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the individuals and organisations who have participated in the revitalisation process. CCSG will continue to promote rural sustainability in Hong Kong and beyond. Please stay tuned with our new initiatives “Forest Village: Mui Tsz Lam Kop Tong Sustainable Village Programme” and “HSBC Rural Sustainability – APAC Initiative for Regional Impact”.