The Blossoming Traditional Village – Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong
Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong are two Hakka villages in the north-eastern New Territories, together with Lai Chi Wo, Siu Tan, Sam A, Ngau Shi Wu, and Kop Tong, 7 villages collectively form “Hing Chun Yeuk” in Sha Tau Kok “Shap Yeuk”. These two villages are covered in 4 Countryside Conservation Funding Schemes. The 300-year Hakka villages are re-energised after a series of village revitalisation projects.
Forest Village: Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong Sustainable Village Programme
The Centre for Civil Society and Governance of The University of Hong Kong has launched “Forest Village: Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong Sustainable Village Programme”. It aims to conserve, revitalise and enhance the natural, cultural, and landscape values of Mui Tsz Lam and Kop Tong as “Forest Village”, through the restoration of farmlands, enhancement of habitats, and adaptive repurposing of village assets.
Project Plum Grove
Supported by the Countryside Conservation Funding Scheme, “Project Plum Grove” by the School of Architecture of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, has already launched the second phase. The oldest historical building in Mui Tsz Lam, Old House, which was built in the 17th century was revitalised during the first phase. The team preserved the 300-year rammed earth wall by using lightweight materials, adopting the principle of not affecting the original structure.
The second phase project is “Restoring Old House for Village Community”. Old House will be restored with modern techniques to respect the original village house design and optimise the indoor facilities for flexible use. In addition, a Village Community Hub will be proposed for villagers to share with volunteers and co-working orgainisations to revive the whole village.
Participatory Action Research (PAR) on Countryside Conservation and Revitalisation at Mui Tsz Lam, Hing Chun Yeuk
The project team adopts a “Participatory Action Research (PAR)” approach, with a series of in-depth cultural experience activities as a means to understand the village. The activities aim to attract the locals, students, and youth, as well as intellectual visitors, who gain understanding of the village by contributing to the community building.