Delivering sustainable communities in China: using a sustainable livelihoods framework for reviewing the promotion of “ecotourism” in Anji

Abstract

In China, urban rural integration is creating new challenges and opportunities for the promotion of sustainable communities. This paper draws on recent preliminary research to explore the role of “ecotourism” as conceived of and driven by the State in the delivery of sustainable communities in Anji, Zhejiang province, China. We focus on the promotion of a particular type of “ecotourism” called “Nong Jia Le” (NJL) (experiencing life in rural areas) which involves residents from urban areas staying overnight in rural residences, enjoying local food and sometimes engaging in farming. This is currently being promoted within Anji County as a key strategy for creating sustainable communities through integrated urban and rural development. The research uses a sustainable livelihoods framework to explore the extent to which this initiative is capable of contributing towards sustainable communities in practice. It concludes that NJL needs to be positioned as one component of the broader livelihood portfolio of Anji.

Keywords:

• sustainable communities
• China
• ecotourism
• sustainable livelihoods framework

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of our research colleagues, Terry Marsden, Yu Li and Andrew Flynn at Cardiff University. In particular, we would like to thank Kunpeng Na (College of Humanities and Development, China Agricultural University) and the Anji County Government without which this research would not have been possible. We would also like to thank Geoff Wall, University of Waterloo and two anonymous reviewers. Also the financial support for the empirical work upon which this paper is based stem from a variety of ESRC and BRASS sources, for which we are very grateful. The paper is a development from a presentation held at the AAG (2010) in Washington, D.C; and we wish to acknowledge the support of Alison Blay-Palmer in her work in organising the session on sustainable communities.

Notes

“Places where people want to live and work, now and in the future. They meet the diverse needs of existing and future residents, are sensitive to their environment and contribute to a high quality-of-life. They are safe and inclusive, well planned, built and run, and offer quality of opportunity” (ODPM 2004).

Initially established in 1990 at its first initial conference (TIES 1990–2010).

This designation is part of the eco-construction programme initiated by the SEPA from 1995 onwards which involves the promotion of “eco-communities” (Shengtai Qu) – at the city, county, municipality and provincial level. This has resulted in the development of Eco-Provinces, Eco-Counties, Demonstration Eco-communities and Environmental-Protection Model Cities (Liu 2008, 2009a, l 32 ). Interestingly, until, 2006, Shengtai Qu was translated as “sustainable community” on the English version of the SEPA website.

A doctoral student at the College of Humanities and Development, China Agricultural University.

In line with DFID's approach, culture is included as an element of transforming structures and processes rather than a capital asset. We adopt their use of the term “culture” loosely here to refer to the societal norms and beliefs in which many of the village and broader governance institutions are embedded.

Because guanxi is so entrenched within “typical backstage culture”, it is extremely difficult for researchers to uncover their influence unless a sufficient amount of rapport is established (Fan 2002, p. 559).