Evoking collective memory : conservation and revitalization of Hong Kong military relics

Abstract

There are recently many public debates of the conservation decisions in Hong Kong such as the demolition of Star Ferry Clock Tower and the State Theatre in North Point has been considered as underrated by Antiquities Board. It proved that the importance of city’s history and culture have been aware by Hong Kong publics, they are being more attached to the city. However, the development of heritage conservation practices in Hong Kong is way more behind than other countries. The key conservation projects in Hong Kong are usually focusing on the architecture itself and separating the “nature” and “built”. The term of the Cultural Landscape, which increasingly adopted in different disciplines, may consider as the possible solution of how to manage and conserve the natural and built heritage in Hong Kong. In this thesis, I would to take Hong Kong military relics as the medium to test with the concept of cultural landscape conservation, propose a design methodology and guideline for other future conservation projects in Hong Kong.