The first impression given by Hong Kong to its visitors is its efficiency and modern towers. Many just don’t know there are many historic sites, though more frequently being demolished, hidden in the territory. In these few years, there has been a growing consensus in the community about preserving the relics. However, even with the much-talked-about benefits, the drawbacks of the restoration should not be neglected.
The heritage is actually treasures to every city in the world. It defines what Hong Kong is by telling both the tourist and we, the residents, the history of Hong Kong and revealing its uniqueness. Keeping the historic sites helps us and the foreigners to get an in-depth understanding of the city’s past since the architecture serves as a window for the tourists to get a glimpse of how Hong Kong becomes an international financial hub from a humble port. While the global chain stores are continuously taking over the world, it becomes even more essential and urgent to preserve the historic sites which breaths life into Hong Kong. Otherwise, we are erasing our past and wiping out our uniqueness of being a mixture of Eastern and Western cultures. That would indeed be a great pity to witness our beloved Hong Kong gradually becoming part of the rapidly homogenized world with only shopping malls and skyscrapers standing around.
Even though Hong Kong is crowned as cosmopolitan, a wealthy place full of freedom and shopping paradise, it is its own history characterizing it, serving as its soul. Without this, Hong Kong would become bleak and ordinary and hence, no longer be able to attract global attention. Therefore, preserving the historically significant buildings somehow prevents Hong Kong from losing out to competitors.
What’s more, it can turn out to be golden opportunities by turning the preserved sites into other uses, such as museums, cafes and book store. The tourists and residents can then enjoy their leisure in nostalgic atmosphere. I believe this cultural trip is another essential way to alleviate the over-dependence on shopping trips from the mainland, besides eco-tourism. I believe it will be a thriving industry and phenomenal success, since it exactly caters for the demand of most of the Western tourists. For example, the backpackers would like to see the original things and old parts of Hong Kong, instead of malls with identical designs and layouts as those in their hometowns. Preserving and revitalizing the historic sites do bolster Hong Kong’s position as a tourism cosmopolitan.
Also, we have to preserve the historic sites well for our next generation. They also deserve the right and opportunity to know the history and culture of a place they call home. We have the responsibility to provide our future kids with such atmosphere. Therefore, we should by no means deprive them of such rights. The relics serve as a bridge between the past, the present and the future for us for they are bound with many of our precious collective memories. It should be recognized that the past is also a part of the future.
Despite the above benefits, worries have been expressed concerning the potential hindrance of preserving those sites to the staggering pace of development in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s land is extremely scarce, especially in the commercial areas. Keeping the historic sites located there will make the scarcity problem escalate. It would become nearly impossible to build roads, bridges, skyscrapers to alleviate the traffic congestion problems. In this sense, preserving the historic sites would be economically harming, leaving no room for development.
Yes, preserving the heritage brings along opportunities. Yet, it also creates a financial burden, especially in times of recession. Maintaining the architecture costs huge budget. The extra expenditure spent on refurbishment will reduce the funding on other aspect. This turns out to be not cost-effective at all.
Preserving the historic sites is more about not tearing down the building. The relics reflect our progress, bridge the past and the present, store our collective memories, and above all, define our own identity and uniqueness. These intrinsic values certainly outweigh the cost of maintenance. While possessions and money can be gained and earned through other means, our past cannot.