Countryside areas possess precious natural resources and cultural heritage. However, as urban growth accelerates, the issue of uneven development between urban and rural areas has become more pronounced. This can detrimentally affect sustainable social development. The issue of countryside conservation is gaining increasing attention, with many societies around the world encouraging the public to become involved. Engaging in rural conservation could provide young people with a platform to learn more about and build the society in which they live; strengthening the connections between individuals and the community.

Hong Kong has long been considered a bustling city. Increasing the attention on sustainable urban-rural development and with the rising popularity of post-pandemic in-depth local cultural travel, previously less well-visited rural areas have become more attractive for people to explore. Various community organisations and institutions have also initiated related projects and activities in which there are youth participants.

However, data shows that the percentage of surveyed youth expressing a sense of belonging to Hong Kong is still far lower than the previous highest level of more than 90%^[1]. The percentage of young respondents who are pessimistic about the development of Hong Kong in the next ten years (46.9%) is markedly higher than those who are optimistic (17.5%). On the plus side, 18.0% of surveyed youth expressed a willingness to participate in environmental protection and sustainable development initiatives for a better Hong Kong ^[2].

In recent years, the HKSAR Government has proposed the Northern Metropolis initiative to transform the northern New Territories into a liveable metropolitan area, with "urban-rural integration" and "proactive conservation” as part of its planning principles^[3]. The Northern Metropolis is rich in blue-green ecology, cultural resources, and rural traditions; the Government has stated that this is a long-term vision intended for the younger generation ^[4]. Against this background, given the attitude of youth towards countryside conservation in Hong Kong; their motivation for participation; their experiences in this context; their outlook on future urban-rural integration, further research of these issues is both timely and worthy.

The current term Government places a strong emphasis on youth development. It is also committed to enhancing the connection between young people and the Government and society through various channels. This research aims to leverage this context to gain insights into the youth perspective regarding countryside conservation in Hong Kong, as well as their experiences and attitudes toward participation. Incorporating observations and practical case-sharing from experts and scholars, this research also seeks to identify important elements that could motivate or enable aspiring youth to either activate or maintain their involvement. Additionally, it aims to provide feasible recommendations to further promote youth participation in the sustainable development of Hong Kong's future urban-rural landscape and to explore new avenues for youth engagement in society.

^[1] The percentage of the surveyed youth expressing a sense of belonging to Hong Kong stood at 93.7% in 2017. It dropped to 62.6% in 2021. Although there was an increase in 2022 and 2023, it remains far lower than the highest level. For details, refer to HKFYG. Youth Trends in Hong Kong. Various years.

^[2] HKFYG. (2022). YI069 What Young People Want for Hong Kong. May 2022.

^[3] Chief Executive, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (2021). Northern Metropolis Development Strategy Report. 2021-10-30.

^[4] news.gov.hk. 2021.「特首：北部都會區為年輕一代而建」。2021-10-30。

To conduct this study, data was collected between January and April 2025 through an online survey of 534 young people (aged 15 to 34); case interviews with 15 individuals; and one-to-one interviews with 5 experts and academics.

1. The countryside possesses rich resources. Urban-rural interaction could enhance the quality of life and promote the sustainable development of society. Hong Kong’s countryside has a long history. This Study shows that over 90% of the surveyed youth believe countryside conservation is important for urban-rural sustainable development of Hong Kong; countryside conservation holds significant meaning for Hong Kong society.

2. The countryside is the foundation of urban development. Youth are the cornerstone of society’s future, and social development will affect their quality of life, making youth participation particularly important. Over 80% of the surveyed youth believe that countryside conservation offers a genuine alternative for youth engagement in society; serving as a platform of connecting youth with the community.

3. The uniqueness of youth participation in conserving the countryside. Hong Kong's rural areas are distinctive in that some are adjacent to urban centres, while others are more remote. The level of young people involvement, their motivation, perspectives and the challenges they perceive that Hong Kong is facing in terms of rural conservation, are all worth noting.

3.1 Fourteen percent reported having participated in countryside conservation projects in Hong Kong, mainly through schools, tertiary institutions, or non-governmental organisations; 77% indicated they had not participated.

3.2 Main motivations to take part in conserving countryside activities include: to visit places they have never been, broaden horizons, and enhance problem-solving skills. The most commonly-cited challenge to further promoting countryside conservation is that Hong Kong society is more focused on economic development.

3.3 The surveyed youth have had unique experiences in conserving the countryside. The diversity of countryside conservation allows youth from different backgrounds to find entry points for involvement, integrate innovative thinking into cultural heritage and align with the values of co-creation and co-sharing. All these provide them with greater opportunities to showcase their strengths.

4. Conserving countryside is not in conflict with economic, social, and environmental development. Developing rural economic activities and industries has a positive effect in encouraging young people to participate in conservation in the long term.

5. Sustainable rural-urban development is not an overnight task; results are not immediately visible: it requires collective participation by all sectors of society. Hong Kong needs a vision and the imagination for countryside conservation, allowing the general public—especially the younger generation—to see the prospects and opportunities for participating in future rural-urban development, and to make good use of the Northern Metropolis initiative to encourage more youth engagement.