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The loss of monuments in Hong Kong
Despite existing statutory monuments in Hong Kong, there are still losses of historical monuments and buildings in Hong Kong under British and Chinese rule. For example, the map on the left shows some of Hong Kong's disappearing historical monuments under the British and Chinese governments. Rapid economic development and land shortage pose a significant threat to historic preservation in Hong Kong.
Under British rule, many of Hong Kong's historic buildings and landmarks were destroyed or altered due to urban development and modernization. For example, the Queen's Building in Central, shown above, was demolished due to commercial development, and an office building was planned to replace it. Moreover, The Tsim Sha Tsui Kowloon-Canton Railway Terminus has a unique architectural style built of red brick and granite. Also, it is the eastern terminus of the Eurasian Railway, from which trains can connect to mainland China and even to Paris, France, in mainland Europe. However, the government still believes that the new cultural complex will be able to replace the role of the station. Despite public protests, the Society of Antiquaries collected 15,000 signatures in February 1978 to petition Queen Elizabeth II directly for royal intervention. Ultimately, the Crown allowed demolition work to begin within 48 hours.
Under British rule, many of Hong Kong's historic buildings and landmarks were destroyed or altered due to urban development and modernization. For example, the Queen's Building in Central, shown above, was demolished due to commercial development, and an office building was planned to replace it. Moreover, The Tsim Sha Tsui Kowloon-Canton Railway Terminus has a unique architectural style built of red brick and granite. Also, it is the eastern terminus of the Eurasian Railway, from which trains can connect to mainland China and even to Paris, France, in mainland Europe. However, the government still believes that the new cultural complex will be able to replace the role of the station. Despite public protests, the Society of Antiquaries collected 15,000 signatures in February 1978 to petition Queen Elizabeth II directly for royal intervention. Ultimately, the Crown allowed demolition work to begin within 48 hours.
After the transfer of sovereignty to China, the preservation of Hong Kong's historical landmarks and monuments has received attention. However, some of these monuments have been lost due to the shortage of land and funding in Hong Kong. For example, in the picture above, the Queen's Pier in Central, an iconic building that preserved Hong Kong's 1950s utilitarianism, was demolished by the Hong Kong government on the grounds of development restrictions. And then, Ho Tung Gardens, listed as a Grade I historic building in Hong Kong in 2010, was demolished by the owner because the funding did not meet the owner's requirements (Standard,2011).
Overall, rapid economic development and land shortage pose a major threat to historic preservation in Hong Kong, and a lack of appreciation for cultural heritage may also be a reason for the inadequate protection of monuments. People need to think about how to strike a balance between developing and preserving local history and culture.
The importance of heritage conservation
Hong Kong has a rich historical and cultural heritage with many historical buildings and cultural sites that are unique and irreplaceable. Preserving cultural heritage promotes tourism's economic development and helps maintain a society's history and traditions, providing a sense of identity and belonging for present and future generations (Malik et al., 2023). The following section will discuss the importance of cultural preservation in terms of cultural, economic, and social impacts.
- Cultural Importance
Hong Kong has a rich and diverse history, with many monuments reflecting it as a British colony in the past and an area of various cultural exchanges. Many of Hong Kong's most iconic buildings, such as the Central Police Station and the old Supreme Court Building, were built during the colonial era, reflecting the city's history as a British colony. And many buildings and sites are associated with traditional Chinese cultures, such as temples, ancestral halls, and walled villages. In addition, some of Hong Kong's monuments reflect the diverse cultural influences that have shaped the city, including Chinese, Western, and South East Asian influences, and are decorated in a unique blend of Eastern and Western styles. For example, St. John's Cathedral displays the British Colonial Gothic Revival style, and Tai Kwun blends Chinese, Western, and Southeast Asian styles. Therefore, preserving these historical monuments is critical to maintaining Hong Kong's identity, diversity, and shared history.
- Social Importance
As mentioned previously, the timeline of declared monuments shows a growing interest in preserving and promoting the unique cultural characteristics and history of Hong Kong under Chinese rule. People can learn about the past culture by visiting the monuments, which can increase their cultural awareness. In addition, preserving these monuments allows people to see what happened in the past, which helps people develop a sense of identity and belonging to their community and contributes to creating a shared understanding of history and memory (BBC, 2023).
- Economic Importance
Heritage conservation is of great economic importance to Hong Kong. Heritage sites can become significant tourist attractions, attracting visitors from all over the world. Many heritage sites, such as Man Mo Temple and Tai O Fishing Village, are popular tourist destinations. As tourism grows, it can drive the economy of the stores around the monuments, such as restaurants and souvenir shops, thus contributing to the economic growth of Hong Kong. In addition, well-preserved historic buildings and areas tend to have higher property values. For example, in Comparisons & Discussions 2.1 Colonial Monuments declared in the 1990s, it mentioned that many monuments are located in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui, the commercial center of Hong Kong. If the monuments become more sought-after, the property's value will increase, which is good for the owners and the economy.
Recommendations for preserving Hong Kong's Monument Declaration
- Discover new monuments and the restoration program
The government can expand the list of declared monuments. Many more colonial buildings could be added to the list to give them more protection and recognition. For example, many historic private residences remain undeclared (some unremarkable colonial remains are shown in the left video). Adding them to the list would help to demonstrate their importance in Hong Kong's history. Besides, it is also possible to carry out regular inspections of monuments by distribution and type, repair structural damage, and preserve the original architectural features of each monument.
- Provide adequate funding
The government needs to fund the restoration of monuments and their recovery. Declared monuments require funding for ongoing maintenance and significant repair of structural or aesthetic elements. The government should provide sufficient yearly funding to maintain these important sites properly. And the government needs to prepare enough funds to avoid the recurrence of the Ho Tung Gardens incident (shown in the right website).
- Integrating Monuments into urban planning
In the previous discussion, we found that most of the monuments declared in the 1990s were in Tsim Sha Tsui and Central, the commercial centers of Hong Kong. These monuments are closely linked to the development of the city. Therefore, the government can incorporate monuments into urban planning development in the future, which can create commercial areas around the monuments or incorporate them into parks.
Suggestions for Hong Kong teacher
Suggestions for Hong Kong teacher
- Encourage field trips to declared monuments
Depending on the location and context of the monuments, Hong Kong teachers can work with local organizations or experts to plan and lead field trips for students to various sites so that they can witness and experience the historical significance of these sites. The field trips to declared monuments can give students a more hands-on approach to understanding Hong Kong's cultural heritage. Also, during the exploration process, students can be encouraged to compare and contrast the colonial and post-reunification eras by engaging in dialogue and participating in conserving Hong Kong's cultural heritage. It can enable them to understand how culture is perceived and preserved in different contexts and thus understand the city's rich history.
- Foster critical thinking and analysis
Teachers can encourage students to develop critical thinking and analytical skills by referencing the website to research monument declarations' historical context and motivations. For example, teachers can invite students to refine this website. Students can analyze primary sources such as government documents or news articles to understand why certain monuments were declared and how these decisions reflected that time's political and cultural priorities. By engaging in this type of analysis, students can gain a deeper understanding of historical development and a critical perspective on history.
- Incorporate relevant information into history courses
The government could incorporate information about monuments declared in the colonial and post-transfer eras into the history curriculum. Students can learn about the different rules for declaring monuments between the British colonial government and the current HKSAR government by studying the colonial era. In reviewing the post-handover era, students can understand the relationship between the culture and history of Hong Kong and whether it was influenced by colonial culture.
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