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SECTION
6 HERITAGE FUNCTIONS CAPITAL STOCK
| 6.3 |
Impacts and Resource Constraints |
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| 6.3.1.1 |
Despite the increase in awareness and investigation of archaeological and other heritage resources in Hong Kong in the last three decades, the baseline heritage resource of the territory remains fragmented. Since there are potentially many more as yet unrealised sites of archaeological importance, the known heritage resource has the potential to increase in future as discoveries are made, new surveys are carried out and methods of research become more sophisticated. As with other elements of the natural capital stock, however, there are various potential impacts to the quality of the resource, both anthropogenic and natural, and these are reviewed briefly in this section. |
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| Development and Sterilisation of Resources
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| 6.3.1.2 |
The system of protection in place for all heritage resources is effectively based on the "no net loss" approach, whereby all identified sites have at least some statutory or administrative planning protection from destruction through new development or urbanisation. The EIA Ordinance (Cap 499) for example states a general presumption in favour of the protection and conservation of all sites of cultural heritage since they provide an essential, finite and irreplaceable link between the past and future and are points of reference and identity for culture and tradition. Clearly there will be instances where the existence of a site will not be considered significant enough to prevent development which would result in loss of the resource, but the framework of protection and other mechanisms such as EIA allow for investigation of the impacts. Where sites of archaeological or cultural heritage importance are affected by such development, provision is usually made for thorough investigation and recording of the site prior to its destruction. The level of protection afforded to the resource is also dependent upon the quality of the site with, for example, Declared and Deemed monuments receiving greater protection under the Ordinance than sites of lesser significance, which are usually afforded only administrative protection. |
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| 6.3.1.3 |
Nevertheless, there are many historical and cultural features in Hong Kong, in particular older buildings in the urban areas which have little or no protection or recognition. For example many examples of local Chinese architecture from the 19th and early 20th Centuries, which contribute to the overall stock of cultural heritage, have been lost to make way for new development and urban renewal. This process has been exacerbated as many traditional Chinese buildings have fallen into disrepair (HAB 1999) and the resources of AMO are insufficient to undertake restoration of all such buildings. Incentives for development (ie property purchase by developers) have prevented restoration in the past, together with the fact that restoration of older buildings is usually more expensive than simply demolishing and rebuilding on their site. |
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| 6.3.1.4 |
Whilst the recent surveys of archaeological and historical sites in the territory will undoubtedly strengthen the understanding of the resource, sterilisation of resources through development on hitherto unknown archaeological deposits remains an impact which is difficult to predict or mitigate. However, our knowledge of the heritage resource (in particular with relation to buried archaeological sites) is such that areas of potential significance can be identified and protected from development. Where protection cannot be afforded, it is usually possible to stipulate that detailed surveys be undertaken for archaeological and built heritage resources prior to earthworks, excavation, infilling and so on. |
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| 6.3.1.5 |
The areas of highest potential for heritage resources are often in the coastal regions since sedimentary deposits around Hong Kong provide an excellent medium for the preservation of archaeological remains and the coastal parts of the territory have a long history of human activity and settlement. However, these areas also provide the best land for new development and many locations have undergone extensive reclamation activity (see Section 3.2.1 - Land Use and Land Supply for discussions on reclamation, development pressures on land use and urban renewal), resulting in sterilisation of potential archaeological remains. In addition, the growth of urbanisation into rural parts of Hong Kong, and the lack of development controls on private land (see Paragraph 3.2.2.3) is threatening many traditional village buildings and other cultural features in parts of the New Territories as the demand for new towns and additional housing continues to rise. Although traditional Chinese villages still exist in close proximity to urban developments in Hong Kong, many of their traditional-style houses have given place to modern buildings and many of the more rural villages are falling into disrepair or only occupied by the old with changing population structure and the move towards the towns (Bard 1988). The pressures for development, and potential impacts on heritage resources, are therefore most intense in the areas where the resource has greatest potential significance, thus continued coastal development and expansion of traditional villages is a particular impact of concern. |
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