2013-14 Term 2 ARCH5112G Advanced Architecture Studio I (for ACD) Heritage Conservation as part of Urban Renewal Strategy

Teacher: Teacher R Time: Mon & Thur 1:30 pm – 6:15 pm Venue: AIT Studio

The Ordinance (Chapter 563) (URAO) was enacted in July 2000, under which the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) was established on 1 1st May 2001. Section 20 of the URAO requires the Secretary for Development to develop an urban renewal strategy. Following extensive public consultations between 2008 and 2010, the Development Bureau published the latest Urban Renewal Strategy (URS). Subtitled People First – A District-based and Public Participatory Approach to Urban Renewal, the strategy promotes a comprehensive and holistic approach to rejuvenate older urban areas by way of redevelopment, rehabilitation, revitalisation and heritage preservation (the 4R strategy). Of particular relevance to this studio is the strategy’s approach to heritage conservation outlined under paragraphs 21 and 22:

Heritage preservation should be part of urban renewal, and the URA should preserve heritage buildings if such preservation forms part of its urban renewal projects. Preservation should include:

(a) Preservation and restoration of buildings, sites and structures of historical, cultural or architectural interest; and

(b) Retention of the local colour of the community and the historical characteristics of different districts.

The URA will make reference to the Government’s policy on heritage conservation in pursuing its heritage preservation efforts. Due emphasis will be given to collaborative partnership with non-profit making organisations (but private sector partners will not be precluded where such collaborative proposal is meritorious) and public access to enjoy the use of the revitalised historic buildings.

While the implementation of the URS is the responsibility of the URA and the other stakeholders/participants, the URS also introduced two new vehicles to help achieve the objectives set out in the strategy – the District Urban Renewal Forum (DURF) and the Urban Renewal Trust Fund. The first DURF was established in City District in 2011 with the aim to reflect the request and priorities on urban renewal put forth by the local community while integrating professional advice, and propose to the Government an Urban Renewal Plan. The Urban Renewal Plan aims to display the character of Kowloon city, reflects local aspirations and strikes a balance among different social interests. It lists Conserve History and Culture as a key part of DURF’s vision.

Using the Preliminary Urban Renewal Plan for Kowloon City as a starting point, the studio will look at applying similar principle in a different district of , potentially or Shum Shui Po. Students will be encouraged to appreciate and compare the culture and characteristics of the different neighbourhoods within the scope district. Specific discussions focusing on the various heritage sites, revitalised or otherwise (such as the Yau Ma Tei Theatre and Brick House in Yau Ma Tei, and the former North Kowloon District Magistracy and in Sham Shui Po), the urban fabric and built environment within the district will provide the students opportunities to gain an initial impression of how successful and appropriate some of the conservation and urban renewal efforts have been carried out.

A separate and more detailed and intensive site visit will take place within a selected project study area, which is will contain several urban blocks. Divided into teams, the students will then carry out their own desktop research and site analysis, with the aim to gain a fully on the history, culture, demography, built typology and environment of the project study area.

A couple of suggested site within the project study area will be selected. They will contain buildings that are characteristic of the area and will be prominently located. Also, there will be distinctive elements within the site and heritage elements nearby to take into consideration. However, students are free to come up alternative sites with similar challenges for consideration but need to justify their selection. In terms of the uses, students will formulate their own brief based on the findings in the result of their Preliminary Urban Renewal Plan study.

One of the key themes for the studio is for the students to identify elements (both tangible and intangible) within and around the site what is important in the context of heritage and culture. Their judgment of the value of these elements will help them to make decisions as to how they are conserved and made relevant to the current and future local conditions. The aim is to achieve not only balance between conservation and innovation, but also between the needs of the community and the need for development.

IMPORTANT NOTE TO STUDENTS: Attention is drawn to University policy and regulations on honesty in academic work, and to the disciplinary guidelines and procedures applicable to breaches of such policy and regulations. Details may be found at http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/policy/academichonesty/ . With each assignment, students will be required to submit a statement that they are aware of these policies, regulations, guidelines and procedures.