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SECTION
6 HERITAGE FUNCTIONS CAPITAL STOCK
| 6.4 |
Sustainability
Appraisal |
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| 6.4.1.5 |
Although the Home Affairs Bureau (HAB) has
started a number of initiatives since 1998
to publicise Hong Kong's heritage, there
appears to be a generally low appreciation
of the value of the heritage resource, and
in turn poor recognition of the need for
heritage protection. Whilst greater efforts
have been made recently to survey the cultural
heritage resource and document the extent
of the known baseline, effective protection
of the natural capital stock is not being
afforded through current policy or legislation.
In particular, urban regeneration and development
schemes have not been sensitive to the cultural
and aesthetic benefits that could be afforded
through restoration and preservation of
historic buildings and other monuments.
The current stock of historical buildings
is a shrinking resource in urban areas and
proposals for future renewal in long established
areas such as Wan Chai and many parts of
Kowloon should take account of the few remaining
historical features. Similarly, development
pressures in rural and country areas pose
a significant threat to the integrity of
archaeological resources and their aesthetic
value, whilst reclamation projects continue
to sterilise areas which have high potential
archaeological value.
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| 6.4.1.6 |
Whilst
the capital costs of preservation and adaptation
of older buildings may be greater than new
development (see Section 6.3) the additional
investment may be returned over time through
users' preferences for culturally interesting
or significant buildings. There is also
an increasing recognition that archaeological
and built heritage resources can play an
important economic role through attracting
tourists onto 'heritage trails'. The designation
of these trails in both urban and rural
locations is a recent initiative which can
help to enhance the value of the capital
stock in Hong Kong through promoting its
cultural importance and raising awareness
about cultural heritage resources. A summary
of sustainability issues for the heritage
resources natural capital stock is presented
in Figure 6.2b.
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| 6.4.1.7 |
The
HAB is currently reviewing the Antiquities
and Monuments Ordinance to assess its effectiveness
in preserving, protecting and promoting cultural
heritage. Trends in the heritage resources
capital stock, and the limited protection
available for the majority of Hong Kong's
heritage resources, suggest that strengthening
of the system of protection may be appropriate,
together with appropriate mechanisms to fund
excavations and surveys in cases where preservation
of heritage features is not practicable. It
is also clear that better education and awareness
regarding the need for conservation and interpretation
of the resource is required, among developers,
planning practitioners, the wider public and
across the spectrum of Government. |
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