Signs of the times : conserving T-shaped street signs in Hong Kong

Abstract

In August 2004, the Highway department firstly started placing forty-two street signs with a brand new design in Mongkok, which displayed an arrow on both sides and building number, made them recognizable. After the re-introduction forty-two of street signs in Mongkok, the department spent another 15 million dollars to renew approximately 200,000 street signs in Hong Kong and will add more street signs. The oldest signs existing in Hong Kong dates back to the 1960s or before, which are the T-shaped street signs. All these iconic street signs are on buildings, those old street signs will not be renewed and would remain in the same place until they are worn out. Wan Chai and Sham Shui Po district contain the largest number of old street sign, including T-shaped street signs. However, they all are under threat since these old districts are facing redevelopment, once the old buildings are demolished or reconstructed, the T-shaped street signs will also be removed. The topic of this dissertation, in the context of T-shaped street signs conservation, introduces the development of street signs in Hong Kong. Through understanding the street signs’ history, the cultural heritage values of these street signs are established and therefore providing some brief conservation recommendations for these historical street signs.