Since 1841, Hong Kong has undergone urbanisation gradually alongside its economic and social development. While new buildings have been erected and old ones torn down, many historic buildings have been preserved. These buildings have witnessed the thriving development of this metropolis and are part of our history. They should all be treasured and protected properly so that we can learn more about the captivating story of this former fishing village.
Our heritage preservation policy plays an important role in the preservation and protection of these historically significant buildings. The Government attaches great importance to the conservation of monuments and historic buildings. We will protect, conserve and revitalise as appropriate historical and heritage sites and buildings through relevant and sustainable approaches for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations.
Besides protecting the declared monuments through regulations, we are also pressing ahead with the preservation policy through a series of administrative measures, including the grading system for historic buildings, the internal monitoring of the redevelopment and demolition of historic buildings, the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme and the Financial Assistance for Maintenance Scheme, etc. Currently, the Government owns some 250 monuments and historic buildings, most of which are well preserved and fully utilised.
As mentioned in the 2013 Policy Address, we need to review the policy on the conservation of privately owned historic buildings in light of the experience gained over the past few years. This will include formulating a set of more detailed mechanisms and criteria for determining the extent and means to use public resources for the conservation of privately owned historic buildings, and studying whether there is a need to enhance conservation of such buildings in the context of town planning.
The Government will also examine whether the setting up of a heritage trust will help in the conservation of privately owned historic buildings and, if so, the feasibility of setting up a trust in the Hong Kong context. In this connection, the consultant commissioned by the Government has recently submitted a report on the issue. In addition, the Antiquities Advisory Board has also been invited to take part in the policy review on the conservation of privately owned historic buildings, including the scope, content, method and timetable of the review. It is expected that a consultation paper and relevant recommendations will be submitted by the end of this year. We hope that members of the public and stakeholders will actively voice their opinions during the consultation to help us enhance the heritage preservation policy.
Before the launch of the consultation paper, we would like to share with the community our work on the conservation of privately owned historic buildings. On the one hand, we have set up an internal monitoring mechanism to monitor the demolition or conversion works of privately owned historic buildings. On the other hand, we have been providing financial assistance to the owners through the maintenance scheme to avoid the deterioration of historic buildings due to lack of maintenance.
Under the internal monitoring mechanism, when an owner applies to government departments for redeveloping a historic building, the Commissioner for Heritage’s Office and the Antiquities and Monuments Office will be notified. They will take the initiative to contact the owner to explore different preservation-cum-development options. One notable example is King Yin Lei, which we all know. So far, we have reached conservation agreements with the owners of six historic buildings.
To avoid the demolition or conversion of privately owned historic buildings, we issued a memo to the Buildings Department, the Lands Department, the Planning Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, the Home Affairs Department and the District Officers in early 2010, detailing the arrangements of the internal monitoring mechanism for the protection of privately owned historic buildings. We reissued the memo to the above departments in March this year and requested them to recirculate it on a half-yearly basis.
The Antiquities and Monuments Office will inspect the privately owned monuments at least once a year to ensure their proper use and maintenance. Moreover, it will inspect the exterior of privately owned historic buildings every two years to update their records.
Notwithstanding the monitoring and inspection mechanism set up by the Government, we can learn of the demolition or conversion works only afterwards if the owner does not make an application to the relevant departments in advance. The Government will, therefore, continue to step up publicity and familiarise the public with the regulations governing construction works.
Furthermore, the Commissioner for Heritage’s Office launched the maintenance scheme in 2008 to provide financial assistance to the owners of privately owned historic buildings for carrying out maintenance works on their own and preventing the buildings from deteriorating. The Government will also lay down the conditions for financial assistance, which may include reasonable public access to the buildings.
28 July, 2013
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