• previous
• 663 of 894 inspirations
• next

Inspiration

back to list

Ghost Farm in China

China witnesses the largest annual human migration in the world during Chinese New Year. This is the only time of year when migrant workers in the city return back to their homes in rural China for a whole month. An expected 2 billion trips are made by 200 million migrant workers during this time.

During the other 11 months in the year, rural China is filled with farms with only grandparents and babies tending to it. With less and less people in rural china, who will grow the food to support China's growing population? Who will continue the native dialects and cultural traditions?

Rapid urbanization is not only a trend in China, it's a global problem. How can we revitalize rural areas around the world?

Comments

Jenny Jin

delete comment

November 24, 2011, 06:14PM

Thanks for this post, Lillian! I wrote something similar about how there is a smaller trend of Chinese workers who go back to their towns to develop, but you're right that by and large the tide is the other way. (http://www.openideo.com/open/vibrant-cities/inspiration/preserving-local-heritage-to-draw-people-and-talent-back-/)

You're right that it's a global problem, and agriculture literature has cited some reasons as:
- youth who see farming as a "lesser" option
- lack of economic incentives in rural areas
- a more conservative culture where elders are the only voices heard

In Kenya, some of the projects that I've seen is to create more youth community building that make youth feel more emotionally and economically involved in their communities.

1 Applaud Report this comment

Lilian Tse's reply to Jenny Jin's comment

Lilian Tse

delete comment

November 25, 2011, 02:52AM

Thanks for adding a level of creativity and explanation to the underlying causes of rural-urban migration. I'll definitely look for some case studies in Kenya -- getting the youth to be proud of their heritage is a key foundation.

0 Applaud Report this comment

I accept the terms and conditions

Ashley Jablow

delete comment

November 18, 2011, 11:10PM

Lillian, I'm really glad you've shared this inspiration and that you've asked this important question about the importance of revitalizing rural areas to maintain language, culture and tradition. I'll be eager to see what other people think!

1 Applaud Report this comment

I accept the terms and conditions