Heritage conservation in Hong Kong

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The Former Kowloon British School, a declared monument, houses the Antiquities and Monuments Office. HK FormerKowloonBritishSchool.JPG
The Former Kowloon British School, a declared monument, houses the Antiquities and Monuments Office.

This article details the history and status of heritage conservation in Hong Kong , as well as the role of various stakeholders.

Contents

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.

Government agencies and legislation

The Tin Hau Temple in Causeway Bay is a declared monument since 1982. HK CausewayBayTinHauTemple.JPG
The Tin Hau Temple in Causeway Bay is a declared monument since 1982.

In alphabetical order:

Historic buildings

As of 20 May 2016, there were 114 declared monuments in Hong Kong, [3] and as of February 2013, there were 917 graded historic buildings (153 Grade I, 322 Grade II, 442 Grade III), of which 203 were owned by the Government and 714 by private bodies. [4]

Grading system

King Yin Lei was declared a monument in 2008 after media had reported that its owner had begun demolishing the building. King Yin Lei SingChiu.jpg
King Yin Lei was declared a monument in 2008 after media had reported that its owner had begun demolishing the building.

Grades for historic buildings are defined as follows: [5]

Surveys and assessment

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 and 2004 focused on 1,444 buildings. [6] In March 2005, [6] a seven-member Expert Panel [7] 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 19 March 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. [6] Current grades may be increased, decreased or removed. [8]

Conservation initiatives

Adaptive reuse: the Former Marine Police Headquarters Compound, a declared monument, is being transformed into a heritage hotel with food and beverage outlets, and retail facilities. 1881 Heritage 200905.jpg
Adaptive reuse: the Former Marine Police Headquarters Compound, a declared monument, is being transformed into a heritage hotel with food and beverage outlets, and retail facilities.

Conservation initiatives include:

Issues

Demolitions

Public protest against the demolition of Queen's Pier: hunger strikers occupied the location in July 2007. QP Hungerstrike.jpg
Public protest against the demolition of Queen's Pier: hunger strikers occupied the location in July 2007.

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.

Other issues

Other issues include:

Intangible cultural heritage

The preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage is an emerging theme in Hong Kong, with The Intangible Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee having held its first meeting on July 9, 2008. [11] A territory-wide survey was carried out in 2011. [12]

Blocks S61 and S62 of the former Whitfield Barracks, two Grade III Historic Buildings, house the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre. HK KlnPark HongKongHeritageDiscoveryCentre.JPG
Blocks S61 and S62 of the former Whitfield Barracks, two Grade III Historic Buildings, house the Hong Kong Heritage Discovery Centre.

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.

See also

Related Research Articles

Declared monuments of Hong Kong are places, structures or buildings legally declared to receive the highest level of protection. In Hong Kong, declaring a monument requires consulting the Antiquities Advisory Board, the approval of the Chief Executive of Hong Kong as well as the publication of the notice on the Hong Kong Government Gazette.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ohel Leah Synagogue</span> Modern Orthodox synagogue in Hong Kong

The Ohel Leah Synagogue is a Modern Orthodox Jewish congregation and synagogue, located at the junction of Robinson Road and Castle Road, in the Mid Levels on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Joseph's Home for the Aged</span> Grade II historic building in New Territories, Hong Kong

St. Joseph's Home for the Aged is located at No. 35 Clear Water Bay Road, Ngau Chi Wan, Wong Tai Sin, New Kowloon, Hong Kong. The site spans 230,000 square feet (21,000 m2).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen's Pier</span> Demolished public ceremonial pier in Hong Kong

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. The pier witnessed the official arrival in Hong Kong of all of Hong Kong's governors since 1925; Elizabeth II landed there in 1975, as did the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1989.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Victoria Prison</span> Former prison in Hong Kong

Victoria Prison was the first and longest-running prison to date in Hong Kong. It is located on Old Bailey Street in Central, Hong Kong Island. Named in honour of Queen Victoria, it was originally known as Victoria Gaol and was renamed into Victoria Prison in 1899. Victoria Prison has been redeveloped into a cultural and shopping destination generally called Tai Kwun (大館). Tai Kwun is composed of three declared monuments: the former Central Police Station, former Central Magistracy and Victoria Prison.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antiquities and Monuments Office</span> Hong Kong government organization

The Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) is a Hong Kong government organization established in 1976 under the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance to protect and preserve historic monuments. Housed in the Former Kowloon British School, the AMO is responsible for identifying, recording and researching buildings and items of historical interest, as well as organising and coordinating surveys and excavations in areas of archaeological significance. The Commissioner for Heritage's Office under the Development Bureau of the Hong Kong government currently manages the Office.

Hong 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 hub, and not for its artistic and cultural offerings. The popular stereotype of the city holds that its residents are far too focused on getting and spending to concern themselves with the ephemeral affairs of art and culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antiquities Advisory Board</span> Hong Kong antiquitarian organization

The Antiquities Advisory Board (AAB) is a statutory body of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with the responsibility of advising the Antiquities Authority on any matters relating to antiquities and monuments. The AAB was established in 1976 along with the Antiquities and Monuments Office (AMO) when the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance (Cap. 53) was enacted, and comprises members appointed by the Chief Executive. The corresponding governmental ministry is the Development Bureau, and executive support for the AAB is provided by the AMO which is under the Development Bureau.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong</span>

Tin Hau temples in Hong Kong are dedicated to Tin Hau (Mazu). Over 100 temples are dedicated to Tin Hau in Hong Kong. A list of these temples can be found below.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pinewood Battery</span>

Pinewood Battery is a historic military site in Hong Kong, located 307 metres (1,007 ft) above sea level, within Lung Fu Shan Country Park, in the northwestern part of Hong Kong Island.

The Hong Kong Dragon Garden is an 8 hectares private heritage garden located at No. 32-42 Castle Peak Road, Tsing Lung Tau, in the backdrop of Sham Tseng in the west of the Tsuen Wan District in the New Territories of Hong Kong, founded by Lee Iu-cheung.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pedder Building</span> Private commercial building in Central, Hong Kong

The Pedder Building, located at No. 12 Pedder Street, in Central, Hong Kong, is a historic commercial building built in the Beaux-Arts style. Built in 1923, it is the last surviving pre-World War II building in Pedder Street.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jamia Mosque (Hong Kong)</span> Oldest mosque in Hong Kong

The Jamia Mosque is a mosque in Mid-Levels, Hong Kong. The mosque is the oldest mosque in Hong Kong. The neighbouring streets Mosque Street and Mosque Junction are named after this mosque. Mufti Abdul Zaman is the main Imam of this Mosque and he leads prayers and taraweeh in the month of Ramadan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marble Hall (Hong Kong)</span>

Marble Hall was the private residence of Sir Catchick Paul Chater, co-founder of Hongkong Land. It was situated at 1 Conduit Road, Hong Kong, and constructed 1901–1904 from imported European marble. Historians regard it as one of the finest ever examples of architecture in Hong Kong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">State Theatre (Hong Kong)</span>

The State Theatre is a former cinema in Hong Kong. It is located in the North Point area along King's Road. Concerns were raised in 2015 that it may be demolished in the near future. The building was listed as a Grade I historic building in March 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sing Lei Hap Gei Lime Kiln Factory</span> Factory in Peng Chau, Hong Kong

The Sing Lei Hap Gei Lime Kiln Factory is an abandoned lime production facility on the island of Peng Chau in Hong Kong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shing Uk Tsuen</span> Village in Hong Kong

Shing Uk Tsuen is a village in Wang Chau, Yuen Long District, Hong Kong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ng Uk Tsuen, Yuen Long District</span> Village of Hong Kong

Ng Uk Tsuen or Tai Tseng Ng Uk Tsuen (大井吳屋村) is a village in Wang Chau, Yuen Long District, Hong Kong.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Asia Society Hong Kong Centre</span>

The Asia Society Hong Kong Centre is one of the global centers of the New York City based Asia Society. Located in Admiralty, in the business district of Hong Kong, it was dedicated on February 9, 2012.

References

  1. ↑ "Commissioner for Heritage's Office". www.heritage.gov.hk. Archived from the original on 2021-01-15. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
  2. ↑ "Hong Kong Government's Central Conservation Section website". Archived from the original on 2009-08-26. Retrieved 2009-09-13.
  3. ↑ "List of declared monuments on LCSD website" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-01-16. Retrieved 2014-01-11.
  4. ↑ Report No. 60 of the Director of Audit, Chapter 1: "Conservation of monuments and historic buildings", 28 March 2013.
  5. ↑ "Results of the Assessment of 1,444 Historic Buildings" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-13. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  6. 1 2 3 Press Release: "Completion of the assessment of 1,444 historic buildings announced". March 19, 2009 [ permanent dead link ]
  7. ↑ "Composition of the Expert Panel for the Assessment of 1,444 Historic Buildings" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-13. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  8. ↑ "List of the Historic Buildings in Building Assessment (as of 18 March 2009)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 6 July 2009.
  9. ↑ "Heritage Impact Assessment Mechanism for Capital Works Projects" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-10-13. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  10. ↑ "Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme". Archived from the original on 2020-07-18. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
  11. ↑ "Press release: "Intangible Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee holds first meeting". July 9, 2008". Archived from the original on October 13, 2012. Retrieved July 7, 2009.
  12. ↑ "Introduction | Territory-wide Survey of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Hong Kong". hkheritage.ust.hk. Archived from the original on 2017-09-29. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
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