Show me the money: a monetary perspective on heritage conservation of graded historic buildings in Hong Kong

Abstract

This dissertation seeks to investigate the grading system and its effect on the private property development right of historic buildings in Hong Kong. Unlike the statutory nature of declaring a monument, the grading system is an administrative and internal measure that is mainly referred to the Antiquities and Monuments Office and Antiquities Advisory Board, and has no statutory significance. It could be understood that statutory measures, like declaring a monument, has an effect on development rights in the way that development parameters imposed under statutes have an effect on a given site; however despite the administrative nature of the grading system, there is a very strong perception among property owners and development that historical building gradings also have an effect on development rights.

This dissertation will introduce the notion of and conflict between private property development rights and heritage conservation. Case studies from the local Hong Kong context will be used to illustrate the frustrations property owners face when trying to determine the future of their graded historic buildings. The dissertation will conclude using uses overseas case studies to provide some pointers on the way forward for the local heritage conservation system.