SWaitse Blog: Urban Transformation of Central District as a Place of Living, 1843

Exhibition: 17 January 2009 – 28 March 2009
Talk: 7 March 2009 (3:00pm – 4:30pm)
Speakers: Thomas Chung, Woo Pui Leng, and Yuet Tsang Chi from the Department of Architecture, CUHK
Organizer: The Conservancy Association Centre for Heritage
Venue: Annex Block, 36A Western Street,
Sai Ying Pun, HK

The talk presents the urban transformation of Central District as a place of living from 1843 to 2008. As stated, “focusing on changes in housing types and their influence on place of work, open space, street life, and urban experience, the study reveals unique opportunities of the district in: 1) coexistence of the high and low city; 2) a rich collection of Modern Architecture; 3) architecture designed with topography; 4) pedestrian movement and hybrid open space; 5) a city for living and working; and 6) urban conservation.”

For me, Central District looks like a man with two faces. One represents an international financial district with tall buildings, busy traffic, and crowded streets but the other shows us an entirely different look when we go deep into its inner world – the old city area. There we find narrow streets, steep slopes, long stairs, traditional street markets, old temples and Chinese tenement houses, and many historical buildings. During its growth in the past one hundred and sixty years, Central District was transformed from a “low city” to a “high city.” With the launching of the urban renewal projects for the old districts in 1900s, public sentiment and outcry about demolishing the typical tenement buildings has spread around ever since. It does not mean nostalgia that reveals people’s wishes to return to the old days, but we fear never to find the traces of Hong Kong of yesterday.

In Central District, the existing street market and tenement buildings are seen as the local identity and represent the history of the place. Traditional trades and handicrafts such as qipao tailoring, bamboo steamer making, silversmithing, and printing are gradually disappearing today. During a visit to a silversmith shop, it is sad to hear that Mr. Ip, a silversmith of genius, will close his shop and retire when the city’s demolition and redevelopment exercise takes place. Although some residents have moved out for a better livelihood, there is still a strong affinity for the low city. The district’s unique character attracts new inhabitants, and individual owners are even making efforts to conserve their properties.

Again, the government’s demolition- and profit-driven policies concerned many people. We fear to see the high-rise buildings dominating the whole city.