Conserving central.
[1]
“Conserving Central” initiatives was announced in 2009-10 Policy Address by chief executive Tsang Yam-kuen. [2] This initiatives embraced Tsang’s idea of progressive development which is the advocate of a balance between economic development and cultural conservation. So sustainable development is the final goal. This initiatives adopted “Point-line-plane” approach and selected eight sites for adaptive reuse with the aim of recognizing the importance of Central’s cultural and historical heritage and reinvigorating the legend of Central. [3] Those eight sites include the Central Government Offices Complex, the Central Market, the Central Police Station Compound, the former French Mission Building, Murray Building, the New Central Harborfront, the Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui Compound and also Police Married Quarters on Hollywood Road. [4]
Under the part C “Quality life” of 2009-10 Policy Address, the concept of progressive development is discussed.
“The concept of “Progressive Development” is part of my election platform. In the current era, economic development goes hand-in-hand with cultural and environmental conservation. To support a knowledge-based economy, we must have a rich pool of talent. Only by providing a diverse and dynamic cultural life and a quality living environment can we attract talent from around the world to build a career in Hong Kong.” [5]
As indicated by the policy address, progressive development emphasizes a balance between economic development and cultural conservation as cultural conservation is needed to attract talent to support the knowledge-based economy. Therefore what the government want is talent and tourism development, while cultural conservation is subsidiary. While PMQ is also revitalized in this approach. PMQ serves to provide local open space, reduce development density and promote heritage tourism. [6] With a better cultural life in Central, talents will be attracted to here.
Under this condition, heritage will not be preserved in an appropriate way and manner. As it bears some kind of purposes and it has precondition for its development, thus setting limit and constraints for it. However, it may be difficult to separate economic development and cultural conservation in Hong Kong as resources and land is limited. As a result, heritage will also act as the tool to promote economic development. While is it right to do so?
[1], [4] Development Bureau (2010) Conserving Central Last assessed 2 December 2014 at http://www.devb.gov.hk/en/issues_in_focus/conserving_central/
[2] 2009-10 Policy Address (2009) Conserving Central Last assessed 3 December 2014 at
http://www.policyaddress.gov.hk/09-10/eng/p53.html
[3] , [6] Development Bureau (2010) Former Police Married Quarters on Hollywood Road Last assessed 2 December 2014 at http://www.devb.gov.hk/en/issues_in_focus/conserving_central/Police_Married_Quarters_at_
Hollywood_Road/index.html#sec1
[5] 2009-10 Policy Address (2009) Progressive Development Last assessed 3 December 2014 at http://www.policyaddress.gov.hk/09-10/eng/p51.html
Under the part C “Quality life” of 2009-10 Policy Address, the concept of progressive development is discussed.
“The concept of “Progressive Development” is part of my election platform. In the current era, economic development goes hand-in-hand with cultural and environmental conservation. To support a knowledge-based economy, we must have a rich pool of talent. Only by providing a diverse and dynamic cultural life and a quality living environment can we attract talent from around the world to build a career in Hong Kong.” [5]
As indicated by the policy address, progressive development emphasizes a balance between economic development and cultural conservation as cultural conservation is needed to attract talent to support the knowledge-based economy. Therefore what the government want is talent and tourism development, while cultural conservation is subsidiary. While PMQ is also revitalized in this approach. PMQ serves to provide local open space, reduce development density and promote heritage tourism. [6] With a better cultural life in Central, talents will be attracted to here.
Under this condition, heritage will not be preserved in an appropriate way and manner. As it bears some kind of purposes and it has precondition for its development, thus setting limit and constraints for it. However, it may be difficult to separate economic development and cultural conservation in Hong Kong as resources and land is limited. As a result, heritage will also act as the tool to promote economic development. While is it right to do so?
[1], [4] Development Bureau (2010) Conserving Central Last assessed 2 December 2014 at http://www.devb.gov.hk/en/issues_in_focus/conserving_central/
[2] 2009-10 Policy Address (2009) Conserving Central Last assessed 3 December 2014 at
http://www.policyaddress.gov.hk/09-10/eng/p53.html
[3] , [6] Development Bureau (2010) Former Police Married Quarters on Hollywood Road Last assessed 2 December 2014 at http://www.devb.gov.hk/en/issues_in_focus/conserving_central/Police_Married_Quarters_at_
Hollywood_Road/index.html#sec1
[5] 2009-10 Policy Address (2009) Progressive Development Last assessed 3 December 2014 at http://www.policyaddress.gov.hk/09-10/eng/p51.html