Heritage conservation in Hong Kong
Encyclopedia
This article details the history and status of Heritage conservation in Hong Kong, as well as the role of various stakeholders.
An indication of the size of the built heritage in Hong Kong is given by a territory-wide survey conducted by the Antiquities and Monuments Office
(AMO) between 1996 and 2000, which recorded some 8,800 buildings. The preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage
is also an emerging theme.
and 491 graded Historic Monuments in Hong Kong.
A territory-wide survey on historic buildings conducted by the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) between 1996 and 2000 recorded some 8,800 buildings. A more detailed survey conducted between 2002-2004 focused on 1,444 buildings. In March 2005, a seven member Expert Panel comprising historians and members of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects
, Hong Kong Institute of Planners and Hong Kong Institute of Engineers was formed by the Antiquities Advisory Board (AAB) to assess the heritage value of these buildings. The assessment was completed on March 19, 2009. As part of this work, the AMO proposed changes in the grading of historic buildings: 212 buildings to be Grade I, 366 to be Grade II, and 576 to be Grade III, and no grading for the remaining 290 ones. Current grades may be increaded, decreased or removed.
Conservation initiatives include:
The demolition of several historic buildings has led to public protest in recent years. This included the Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier
(demolition completed in early 2007) and Queen's Pier
, demolished in February 2008.
is an emerging theme in Hong Kong, with The Intangible Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee having held its first meeting on July 9, 2008.
Several other museums are dedicated to heritage and history. Most of them are hosted in historic buildings thematically connected with the displays. Heritage Trails
have been opened to facilitate the visit of historic buildings.
An indication of the size of the built heritage in Hong Kong is given by a territory-wide survey conducted by the Antiquities and Monuments Office
Antiquities and Monuments Office
Antiquities and Monuments Office was established when the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance was enacted in 1976, to preserve Hong Kong's monuments under appropriate protection....
(AMO) between 1996 and 2000, which recorded some 8,800 buildings. The preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage
Intangible Cultural Heritage
The concept of intangible cultural heritage emerged in the 1990s, as a counterpart to the World Heritage that focuses mainly on tangible aspects of culture...
is also an emerging theme.
Government agencies and legislation
In alphabetical order:- Antiquities Advisory BoardAntiquities Advisory BoardThe Antiquities Advisory Board is a statutory body of the Government of Hong Kong created in 1976 to evaluate old buildings in Hong Kong, and to recommend those with historical or architectural merit for listing as monuments. It is under the responsibility of the Home Affairs Bureau, directly...
(AAB) - Antiquities and Monuments OfficeAntiquities and Monuments OfficeAntiquities and Monuments Office was established when the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance was enacted in 1976, to preserve Hong Kong's monuments under appropriate protection....
- Antiquities and Monuments OrdinanceAntiquities and Monuments OrdinanceThe Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance, in Hong Kong Law , was enacted in 1976 to preserve the objects of historical, archaeological and palaeontological interest and for matters ancillary thereto or connected therewith...
- Commissioner for Heritage's Office (CHO), set up on 25 April 2008 under the Development Bureau
- Hong Kong Government's Central Conservation Section
- Urban Renewal AuthorityUrban Renewal AuthorityThe Urban Renewal Authority is a statutory body in Hong Kong responsible for accelerating redevelopment to provide a better living environment and neighbourhood.-History:...
Historic buildings
As of November 7, 2008, there are 86 declared monumentsDeclared monuments of Hong Kong
Declared monuments of Hong Kong are places, structures or buildings legally declared to be "protected". In Hong Kong, declaring a monument requires consulting the Antiquities Advisory Board, the approval of the Chief Executive as well as the publication of the notice in government gazette.As of 12...
and 491 graded Historic Monuments in Hong Kong.
Grading system
Grades for historic buildings are defined as follows:- Grade I: "Buildings of outstanding merit, which every effort should be made to preserve if possible."
- Grade II: "Buildings of special merit; efforts should be made to selectively preserve."
- Grade III: "Buildings of some merit; preservation in some form would be desirable and alternative means could be considered if preservation is not practicable."
Surveys and assessment
Hong Kong Institute of Architects
Hong Kong Institute of Architects is a professional body for architects in Hong Kong with approximately 1500 full members ,300 associates members and graduate members...
, Hong Kong Institute of Planners and Hong Kong Institute of Engineers was formed by the Antiquities Advisory Board (AAB) to assess the heritage value of these buildings. The assessment was completed on March 19, 2009. As part of this work, the AMO proposed changes in the grading of historic buildings: 212 buildings to be Grade I, 366 to be Grade II, and 576 to be Grade III, and no grading for the remaining 290 ones. Current grades may be increaded, decreased or removed.
Conservation initiatives
- Heritage Impact Assessment Mechanism for Capital Works Projects
- Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership SchemeRevitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership SchemeThe Revitalising Historic Buildings through Partnership Scheme is an initiative launched by the Hong Kong Government, part of a broader policy of Heritage conservation in Hong Kong....
- RestorationBuilding restorationBuilding restoration describes a particular treatment approach and philosophy within the field of architectural conservation. According the U.S...
- Adaptive reuseAdaptive reuseAdaptive reuse refers to the process of reusing an old site or building for a purpose other than which it was built or designed for. Along with brownfield reclamation, adaptive reuse is seen by many as a key factor in land conservation and the reduction of urban sprawl...
- Relocation: complete (Murray HouseMurray HouseMurray House is a Victorian-era building in Stanley in Hong Kong. Originally built in the present-day business district of Central in 1846 as officers' quarters of the Murray Barracks, the building was relocated to the south of Hong Kong Island during the 2000s.- Architecture :Murray House was one...
) or partial (Blake Pier at Stanley)
Demolitions
Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier
Edinburgh Place Ferry Pier, often referred to as the "Star Ferry" Pier, was a pier in Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong; the pier, with its clock tower, was a prominent waterfront landmark...
(demolition completed in early 2007) and Queen's Pier
Queen's Pier
Queen's Pier, named after Queen Victoria, was a public pier in front of City Hall in Edinburgh Place, Central, Hong Kong. For three generations it served not only as a public pier in day-to-day use but also as a major ceremonial arrival and departure point...
, demolished in February 2008.
Other issues
Other issues include:- Ownership of historic buildings and private owners' rights
- Funding of Heritage conservation programs
Intangible cultural heritage
The preservation of Intangible Cultural HeritageIntangible Cultural Heritage
The concept of intangible cultural heritage emerged in the 1990s, as a counterpart to the World Heritage that focuses mainly on tangible aspects of culture...
is an emerging theme in Hong Kong, with The Intangible Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee having held its first meeting on July 9, 2008.
Related museums
- Hong Kong Heritage Discovery CentreHong Kong Heritage Discovery CentreThe Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre is located in the Kowloon Park, Haiphong Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong.The Centre occupies the historic Blocks S61 and S62 of the former Whitfield Barracks at the Kowloon Park.-History:...
, in Kowloon ParkKowloon ParkKowloon Park is a large public park in Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon Peninsula, Hong Kong. It is managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.-History:...
. Opened in October 2005, it is managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services DepartmentLeisure and Cultural Services DepartmentThe Leisure and Cultural Services Department , often abbreviated as LCSD, is a department in the Government of Hong Kong. It reports to the Home Affairs Bureau, headed by the Secretary for Home Affairs. It provides leisure and cultural activities for the people of Hong Kong, which was also one of...
(LCSD) - Hong Kong Heritage MuseumHong Kong Heritage MuseumHong Kong Heritage Museum is a museum of history, art and culture in Sha Tin, Hong Kong, by the Shing Mun River. The museum opened on 16 December 2000. It is managed by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department of the Hong Kong Government...
(Sha TinSha TinSha Tin, also spelled Shatin, is an area around the Shing Mun River in the New Territories of Hong Kong. Administratively, it is part of the Sha Tin District.-Geography:...
) (LCSD) - Hong Kong Museum of HistoryHong Kong Museum of HistoryThe Hong Kong Museum of History is a museum which preserves Hong Kong's historical and cultural heritage. It is located next to the Hong Kong Science Museum....
(Tsim Sha TsuiTsim Sha TsuiTsim Sha Tsui , often abbreviated as TST, is an urbanized area in southern Kowloon, Hong Kong. The area is administratively part of the Yau Tsim Mong District. Tsim Sha Tsui East is a piece of land reclaimed from the Hung Hom Bay now east of Tsim Sha Tsui...
) (LCSD) - Hong Kong Public Records BuildingGovernment Records ServiceGovernment Records Service is a Hong Kong Government department for managing government records in Hong Kong.-Hong Kong Public Records Building:...
is an archival facility for the preservation of records of the Hong Kong Government. It is run by Government Records ServiceGovernment Records ServiceGovernment Records Service is a Hong Kong Government department for managing government records in Hong Kong.-Hong Kong Public Records Building:...
and located in Kwun TongKwun TongKwun Tong is an area in Kwun Tong District, situated at the eastern part of the Kowloon Peninsula, and its boundary stretches from Lion Rock in the north to Lei Yue Mun in the south, and from the winding paths of Kowloon Peak in the east to the north coast of the former Kai Tak Airport runway in...
near Tsui Ping Estate.
Several other museums are dedicated to heritage and history. Most of them are hosted in historic buildings thematically connected with the displays. Heritage Trails
Heritage Trails in Hong Kong
Several Heritage Trails have been designed in Hong Kong:Trails designed by the Antiquities and Monuments Office of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department:* Ping Shan Heritage Trail, in Yuen Long District, opened on 12 December 1993...
have been opened to facilitate the visit of historic buildings.
See also
- Conservation in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong cultural policyHong Kong cultural policyHong Kong cultural policy refers to the development and preservation of Hong Kong's arts and cultural heritage. Globally, Hong Kong is perhaps best known for its role as an international financial centre and shopping mecca, and not for its artistic and cultural offerings...
- History of Hong KongHistory of Hong KongHong Kong began as a coastal island geographically located off the southern coast of China. While pockets of settlements had taken place in the region with archaeological findings dating back thousands of years, regular written records were not made...
- Architecture of Hong KongArchitecture of Hong KongThe Architecture of Hong Kong features great emphasis on Contemporary architecture, specially Modernism, Postmodernism, Functionalism, etc. Due to the lack of available land, few historical buildings remain in the urban areas of Hong Kong. However, Hong Kong has become a centre for modern...
- List of the oldest buildings and structures in Hong Kong
- Pang ukPang ukPang uk is a kind of stilt house found in Tai O, Lantau Island, Hong Kong. Pang uk are built on water or on small beaches....