Changing patterns of country-park recreation in Hong Kong

The successful country-park programme in Hong Kong has attracted phenomenal growth in patronage throughout its ten-year tenure. The resource base and underlying demand factors are briefly surveyed. The spatial-temporal patterns of consumption at different scales are consistently uneven. The number of visits is markedly related to natural endowments and cool dry weather; the role of travel-distance is unimportant. Where usage is excessive the primary conservation objective often conflicts with recreational use. Patronage is projected to increase between two and four per cent per annum. Some qualitative changes in demands related to age-structure and leisure attitudes are identified. The demographic transition from a predominantly youthful to a gradually aging population could alter participation rate, preference and expectation. Massive population decentralization associated with new town developments would shift the demand loci. A combination of resource- and visitor-management strategy, aided by objective data and analysis, are necessary for rational planning. Alternative recreational areas and opportunities may contain or siphon off some pressure. Innovative design and construction of sites could increase carrying capacity. Non-authoritarian visitor-management tactics could effect voluntary dispersion. Provision of more urban-based opportunities could intercept some users. A coordinated approach to countryside-cum-city recreational planning, and the protection of farming landscape are advocated. Copyright © 1989 Royal Geographical Society.