The spirit of the Hong Kong city : establishing the cultural heritage significance of an iconic Hong Kong urban architectural vernacular typology : the case of Parker Estate

Abstract

As one of the most densely populated city in the world, the urban cityscape has been the iconic symbol representing modern colonial Hong Kong after World War II (WWII). Among many architectural legacy created by Architects over the past 70 years since WWII, there are also many humble, functional, socially and economically successful urban vernacular architecture being created by diligent architectural practitioners. They collectively create unique urban scenery reflecting the identity of Hong Kong and also recording Hong Kong’s recent past. Urban vernacular architecture, unlike monumental architecture which is created by the powerful institutes of a place for specific objectives, is on the other hand the direct and pragmatic answer to the problems/necessities of daily life. It is also a reflection towards the social, economic and statutory aspects of an architectural typology valued by the people of the place. However, being so blended in with the urban jungle, and also being relatively “young” in age, its heritage values are always under appreciated. The mega-housing-block in Hong Kong, a unique building typology, built in 1960 and 70s is one of these anonymous urban vernacular heritages. Built as a property project answering the social and economic demand at that period of time, this architectural typology was not designed as a monument, but pragmatic solution that is uniquely Hong Kong and unprecedented. The Parker Estate (百嘉新邨) in Quarry Bay is one of the few examples that still survives today. It is a tangible representation of the social background and building culture in that period time. It also represents the moral spirit of Hong Kong people after WWII, striving for a life in the city that is so limited in land resource, while the city is finding its distinctive identity and advancing to a middle-class-centered society. The key objective of this dissertation is to find out and to document the un-identified heritage values of this anonymous urban vernacular architecture in Hong Kong, such that a reference can be set up for future conservation planning and management of Hong Kong’s young urban heritage.