Time to diagnose : evaluation on heritage grading system in Hong Kong, focusing on local, controversial conservation cases

Abstract

In order to have systematic heritage protection, different countries create different mechanisms to assess and categorize heritage sites. For the last 40 years, there has been a heritage grading system in Hong Kong adopted with the establishment of the Antiquities and Monuments Ordinance in 1976. Such a conservation tool is crucial for the heritage conservation process, from recognizing heritage values to protecting the integrity and authenticity of heritage sites. But is the system really “conserving” our heritage? The fate of heritage is, to a large extent, determined by the effectiveness and credibility of a place’s conservation tools. The grading system in Hong Kong is practiced as a three-category system (Grade 1, 2 and 3)with corresponding definitions. Although this system works in certain respects, it isnot free from criticism. Many controversies regarding the grading system have arisen from different conservation projects. Indeed, both heritage sites recognized and those not being recognized by the system have become more and more contentious, especially when sites are redeveloped to maximize economic values. Noting that it is irreversible once heritage is damaged and since many irreplaceable heritage has already been demolished over the years, it is now time to evaluate the current conservation tools applied in the city. Given that no regular reviews and updates have been made on the 40-year-old grading system, this paper examines the potential need to improve the grading system in Hong Kong. The controversies in relation to two local contentious conservation cases, namely: Queen’s Pier, Lee Tung Street, West Wing of the Former Central Government Offices and Kin Yin Lei., are addressed. Through analyzing these controversies and referencing the grading system adopted in England, it is hoped that this paper not only identifies the shortcomings of the grading system in Hong Kong, but also suggests ways for improving it.