Hong Kong as people know is a dynamic city never ceasing in development. The same dynamics are exhibited too on the city landscape.
Quoting Walter Benjamin “In the convulsions of the commodity economy, we begin to recognise the monuments of the bourgeoisie as ruins even before they have crumbled”– a statement that remains relevant to this day. For the pursuit of profit maximization under the market forces, monumental buildings are often demolished without second thoughts. The Central Post Office being a prime example; whilst the 1976 building that stands today will soon be rubble to make way for development projects, its grandiose 1911 predecessor was demolished to make way for the Central MTR station construction work. Their disappearance also implied the diminished links of people to the history of Hong Kong in situ. It is also worth considering the preservation methods for architecture in Hong Kong, which is not uncommon that preserved buildings lose their historical context or are out of place amidst their unfamiliar surroundings.
Certainly, without change, there would be no progress; however, for myself, finding the suitable compromise for the old and the new to coexist harmoniously should be the higher interest of the city.
Tom Tam
U35696846
An extremely well written and thoughtful reflection. Particularly strong is your concluding remarks on the need to find a suitable compromise between preservation/conservation with development/progression, whilst avoiding the issues of decontextualization and iconization.