In “Building on Disappearance: Hong Kong Architecture and Colonial Space” by Ackbar Abbas, he proposes a thoughtful analysis of how the urban environment in Hong Kong reflects the city’s unique historical and political context. Abbas argues that Hong Kong’s architecture is characterized by a sense of “disappearance” as the city’s colonial past has been erased or obscured in many ways.
Abbas explores this theme through many examples, ranging from the destruction of historical buildings to the construction of new landmarks that erase or obscure the city’s colonial past. He also considers the role of the built environment in forging social relations and power dynamics, particularly in the context of Hong Kong’s ongoing struggles for autonomy and democracy.
In conclusion, Abbas’s analysis offers a rich and nuanced understanding of the complex interplay between architecture, politics, and history in Hong Kong. By highlighting the ways in which the built environment both reflects and shapes the city’s past and present, Abbas makes a compelling case for the importance of paying attention to the ways in which architecture and space shape our understanding of the world around us.
Student Name: Lam Ho Yin
UID: 3036108391