Revitalization and Conservation: Architecture as Culture

Date: 14 March 2009
Time: 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Venue: The Commercial Press,
Tsim Sha Tsui Book Centre
Speaker: Professor Hui Cheuk Kuen, Department of Cultural and Religious Studies, CUHK


The city’s demolition-driven and large-redevelopment policies are always people’s concerns. The recent issues about the redevelopment of Lower Ngau Tau Kok Estate (Blocks 8 -14), the urban renewal of Wanchai District as well as Central and Western District, and the six selected Historic building revitalization projects have aroused more people’s attention on the topic of heritage conservation in Hong Kong. It is mentioned that the distinctive urban conditions together with the community architecture design are significant elements to shape the settings of people’s daily life and city culture. With reference to the types of buildings in old and new, people can illustrate the transformation of a city from the past through to the present and future. However, the specific urban fabric of a city will be threatened with disintegration if people do not care much for the conservation of community heritage.

In the talk, Professor Hui explains the relationship between architecture and culture by using examples from both western and Chinese and eastern architecture and culture. Further, he elaborates on the land-use considerations, the property rights, the concept and types of conservation, the importance of heritage conservation, the Urban Renewal Authority’s 4 Rs (Redevelopment, Rehabilitation, Revitalization, and pReservation), and the principles of conservation. Besides, Professor Hui emphasizes that before making decisions on conservation, it is important to understand the cultural significance of a place first, then develop the policy and finally manage the place in accordance with the policy. Relocation, change, restoration, or reconstruction is also not appropriate unless this is the only method for preserving the heritage. More importantly, the participation of people for whom the place has special associations and meanings, or who have social, spiritual, or other cultural responsibilities for the place should be allowed during conservation, interpretation, and management of a place.