The main focus that Abbas wants to anchor is the theme of cultural disappearance. Quote “The more Placeless and powerful buildings are built, the more the urban vernacular gets anonymous and characterless.” The emphasis of anonymity is perhaps the essence of Hong Kong culture per se. However, does this reflect upon the desire of Hong Kong’s idiosyncratic identity? Does this reflect Hong Kong Architecture? It can be perceived that “nostalgia” and “memories” are based on banal facade preservation and photogenic standardization, where we as locals become the tourist, where we become less familiar with our own childhood environment. As society continues to pursue economic development and disregard cultural preservation, do we say that Hong Kong is losing its very identity, or do we say we are molding our new identity? What is identity? I really enjoyed Abbas’s reading because it encourages me to question about HK Architecture and HK Identity.
Word count: 150
Wesley Wong Ting Fai(3035664740)