Change amid stability: rethinking the planning and design guidelines for 'area-wide' conservation in HongKong

Abstract

This dissertation seeks to solve a long-standing conundrum for heritage conservation in Hong Kong, regarding the ‘area-wide’ mistreatment of our historic places and their settings. While Hong Kong has the legal framework and policies in place, it has been let down by an outdated and incomprehensive set of ‘area-wide’ conservation guidance in the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (‘HKPSG’) – an important manual that has received scant attention in the conservation field. Through a review of international charters, this dissertation will offer the first extensive critique on the ‘area-wide’ conservation provisions of this infamous document. Drawing lessons from international best practices, this dissertation will go further to recommend possible remedies for the Hong Kong context. Having regards to the current administration’s liking for swift administrative responses, the motion to rethink the HKPSG is a refreshing sign of change; or in line with the Government’s motto – this is ‘Change amid Stability’.