A feasibility study of area-based conservation in Hong Kong : challenges and applicability for designating a heritage conservation area in the context of Hong Kong

Abstract

In Hong Kong, the public awareness on conservation has rapidly increased after the removal of Queen’s pier. At that moment, tracing back to the 1960s, due to the economic boom and fast development, numerous historical buildings were demolished and redeveloped to suit the changing economic development and needs. Particularly, the shortage of land for pressing housing needs. Over the decades, historic buildings with special characteristics and heritage significance are still under threat. The current heritage conservation system focuses only on preserving and protecting individual historic buildings and monuments. Hong Kong Government and relevant bureaux has adopted this building-based conservation approach for decades. Over the years, this approach has led to a piecemeal and fragmented townscape which cannot truly reflect the heritage significance of the historic areas. The designation of the Heritage Conservation Area (HCA) is believed to be for the managing of historic areas in a sustainable manner, ensuring preservation, rehabilitation and management of change of the area with due care and appropriate measures. Not only the preservation of buildings. This research aims to identify major challenges of designating HCAs in Hong Kong systematically and comprehensively through analysing the prevailing conservation ordinance and policies; and to examine the applicability of the designation of HCAs in Hong Kong through investigating how town planning system could help and drawing experiences from oversea cases.