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

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.