Hazard vs. heritage : neon signs in Hong Kong

Abstract

Neon signs are often portrayed as cultural landmarks representative of Hong Kong, whether in film or in tourism campaigns to advertise Hong Kong’s commercial prowess and teeming nightlife. However, the unrestrained sprawl of neon signs across Hong Kong in the 1980s eventually reached a tipping point in 2013 as decades of ignored public safety and environmental issues came forcibly to light, resulting in strict government legislation that culminated in the removal of many of Hong Kong’s neon signs. This thesis explores the subsequent political, racial, spatial, and economic tensions between government action to crack down on signs to compensate for years of inaction, and the advocation by community groups for the cultural value and therefore preservation of neon signs. Ultimately, this thesis reassesses the significance of neon signs in Hong Kong history by tracking four significant elements that gave rise to neon in Hong Kong: artificial lighting, public safety and race, the rise of consumerism, and governance. By tracing the relationship of neon signs to these historical elements, this thesis puts forth a more comprehensive understanding of its history in Hong Kong, which in turn may help current decision-making with regards to the value of such signage.