Authors：yexiang uid 3036263452 xujun uid 3036126874
Introduction
Today, we want to share a story about Yau Ma Tei in Hong Kong—a story about light and shadow, past and future. It’s a tale of neon signs—the colorful lights that once illuminated our city’s night sky, now slowly fading away.
This report explores the disappearance of Yau Ma Tei’s iconic neon signs, a defining feature of the bustling district in Hong Kong. It delves into the reasons behind their vanishing, their historical importance, their current status, the impact on the community, and the preservation efforts being undertaken to safeguard these cultural treasures.
2 How it was used in the past
In the past, neon signs in Yau Ma Tei had dual purposes: as business signs attracting customers and as a distinctive part of the urban landscape. They added charm to the city with their beautiful glow, reflecting the vibrancy and creativity of Hong Kong. Neon signs primarily served businesses, acting as effective advertising tools to attract customers, and also enhanced the scenic experience for tourists visiting Yau Ma Tei.
3 The reasons why it is disappeared
3.1
Technological advancements have impacted the use of neon lights. Neon lights operate on the principle of gas discharge, where high voltage is applied to inert gas in sealed glass tubes, causing ionization and the emission of photons. In Hong Kong, regulations on building safety have become stricter since the 1990s, resulting in the removal of neon signs with safety concerns. While LED lights lack the warm glow of neon lights, they offer brighter illumination, lower maintenance costs, and reduced safety risks. As a result, the prevalence of neon lights has gradually declined.
3.2
The cultural and aesthetic value of neon signs has faced criticism amidst urban renewal efforts. Some argue that neon signs are outdated and do not align with Hong Kong’s modern and international image. Concerns have also been raised about light pollution and visual clutter caused by neon signs. As a result, there is a growing call for the updating and standardization of signs to improve the urban quality and image of Hong Kong.
3.3
Neon signs pose high maintenance costs for businesses due to tube replacements and circuit repairs. The diminishing craftsmanship of neon lights also leads to expensive production and significant power consumption, conflicting with environmental concerns. As a result, many merchants choose energy-efficient, cost-effective, and safer alternatives like LED lights or printed characters.
4 The disappearance of neon signs affects various groups in Hong Kong:
4.1
Businesses: Neon signs have long been used as advertising tools to attract customers. Their disappearance could impact the visibility and foot traffic of some businesses.
4.2
Cultural Preservationists and History Enthusiasts**: Many consider neon signs an essential part of Hong Kong’s culture and history. As these signs vanish, the city’s unique urban landscape and cultural memory may fade away.
4.4
General Public and Tourists**: Neon signs are a symbolic element of Hong Kong’s nightscape. Their disappearance could reduce the city’s attractiveness and uniqueness.
Overall, the disappearance of neon signs not only affects Hong Kong’s economic activities but also its cultural and social landscape. This change has sparked important discussions on how to protect and pass on cultural heritage in the process of modernization.
5 Soulutions
Efforts are underway to find a balance between urban modernization and cultural preservation. The government and relevant departments propose preserving historic neon signs or relocating them to museums to safeguard Hong Kong’s distinctive cultural heritage. Civil society groups like Neon Junction actively collaborate with businesses to document the visual history of these signs and recycle them before removal. Restored neon signs are occasionally displayed in public spaces to raise awareness of their cultural significance.
Since 2013, the M+ Museum in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District has also begun to collect some of the neon signs that have been removed, and some have been included in the collection. These efforts are aimed at preserving the unique visual culture of Hong Kong neon.
6 conclusion
The backwardness of technology and the incompatibility of social atmosphere determine that the disappearance of neon lights is the inevitable development of The Times. Although some neon lights may have been retained to preserve the color of Hong Kong in the eyes of older Hong Kongers. For example, in the film, the neon lights are behind little cheung when he pays homage to its grandmother. But with the change of times and the progress of society, neon lights will eventually fade into people’s attention