A place for all and a place of all : examining outdoor public space as a possible heritage form in Hong Kong

Abstract

Perceptions of heritage in Hong Kong are rather limited, where individual buildings, selfstanding structures or intangible cultural heritage largely dominate views of what heritage is in the city. Nevertheless, from railways to cultural landscapes, the world now identifies heritage assets under a wide variety of forms, proving that there is no singular qualification for heritage recognition. In addition, the Hong Kong society is now aware of the importance and value of vernacular heritage, more than ever, since the incidents of Lee Tung Street, Star Ferry Pier, and many more. Heritage sites of historical and architectural merits no longer prevail as the only criteria for recognition in the eyes of the public, where they also place social value in their priority. In light of this, it is logical to raise the question: can there be any breakthrough for Hong Kong to view “heritage” in a more diverse and dynamic way? This thesis paper therefore proposes that outdoor public space, a place where social activities can be vibrant, is a possible heritage form worthy of the city’s heritage recognition. It first examines why it is a reasonable proposal using social value as the lens under a theoretical framework, after the idea, historical formation and present recognition of outdoor public space are discussed. It then follows by using Victoria Park as a case study to illustrate how outdoor public space is capable for heritage recognition, after an analysis on the interview findings and the Park’s heritage values. At last, it recommends some measures for the government in realizing the proposal from both the policy-level and community-level. It is hoped that through this thesis study, heritage can be identified, understood and recognized more holistically within the city.