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10 January 2026

The Mountain–Sea Synergy Model: A Novel Pathway for Rural Revitalization Through University–Rural Collaboration in China

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School of Tropical Agriculture and Forestry (School of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, School of Rural Revitalization), Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
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Sustainability2026, 18(2), 714;https://doi.org/10.3390/su18020714 
(registering DOI)
This article belongs to the Special Issue Eco-Harmony: Blending Conservation Strategies and Social Development

Abstract

Against the backdrop of China’s comprehensive rural revitalization strategy and ongoing national park development, how universities can leverage scientific research innovation and talent resources to engage in sustainable development practices within local communities has become a focal point for both academia and policymakers. This study examines the “Harmonious and Beautiful Mountains and Seas” (HBMS) rural revitalization platform established by the Landscape Architecture discipline at Hainan University, summarizing its practical experience and analyzing its operational mechanisms. From the perspective of innovative governance, the study identifies three core values—“Nurturing Culture,” “Rural Brilliance,” and “Constructing Meaning”—and, on this basis, explores mechanisms for enhancing community resilience and pathways for brand-oriented operation in national park communities. The study aims to elucidate a novel model of university–rural collaborative revitalization. Research indicates that the “Mountain–Sea Synergy” model is not a singular community development solution, but rather a practical governance framework centered on multi-stakeholder collaborative governance mediated by universities. Its core value manifests across three dimensions: cultural revitalization, youth empowerment, and community-building significance. This model provides replicable endogenous development insights for national park communities operating under ecological conservation constraints, while also enriching university–rural collaborative research with practical case studies within the Chinese context.

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