Disused air raid precaution tunnels: uncovering the underground history of World War II, civil defencetunnels in Hong Kong

Abstract

Just prior to the Japanese invasion, the Hong Kong Government embarked on an extensive program of building public shelters by tunneling into hillsides to protect the civilian population against bombing raids. Those air raid precaution tunnels that survive World War II have become part of the very few remaining physical witnesses to the history of Hong Kong in preparation of civil defence against Japanese attack. Tucked away inconspicuously in the bustling parts of the city, the disused shelter tunnels are the 'outsiders' of societal interaction, rarely catching the attention of the people of Hong Kong.

Bored deep into the hills leaving only the portals exposed to air, this 'hidden' heritage continues to be lost or damaged without drawing public attention. Ironically, the damage is not from the ravages of war but from redevelopment projects above ground, geotechnical strengthening works and road improvement works, all of which have been carried out post-war, resulting in tunnels being partially or wholly filled in, dug up or forgotten and neglected.

As little wartime architecture purposely built for preparation of World War II remains in Hong Kong, there is a need to preserve/ conserve this wartime heritage that once helped shape the city’s history. It is hoped that through this dissertation, both heritage and contemporary values of this forgotten example of wartime architecture be recognized and that a consensus be agreed upon conservation of this World War II heritage, in order to prevent further losses and damages that may only be fully appreciated when it is too late.

The dissertation will examine the issues related to the conservation of air raid tunnels through answering the following questions:

1. Where were/ are the tunnels, what purpose did they serve and what are the stories behind them?

2. Are the tunnels a significant heritage, and if so, what are their heritage values?

3. Are the tunnels adequately protected as a heritage in terms of current legislation and policies?

4. What are the threats against the conservation of the tunnels?

5. What are the opportunities for the conservation of the tunnels?