Heritage Survival – Opportunities and Threats of Heritage Tourism to Historic Landscapes

Event Series – Field Trip:

Please visit the HKICON website for more details:  https://www.hkicon.org/heritage-survival

About the Site Visit 

The 30 Houses Neighbourhood, located in Central, Hong Kong, is a historic urban landscape bordered by Hollywood Road to the north and Caine Road to the south. It encompasses Staunton Street, Bridges Street, Shing Wong Street, Wing Lee Street, as well as surrounding streets, lanes and alleys. The name “30 Houses Neighbourhood” (「卅間」) originated from the 30 houses in the area housed migrant workers before WWII.

With one graded building or structure per hectare, it boasts one of the highest concentrations of heritage buildings in Hong Kong. As the oldest surviving residential district in Central Hong Kong, it offers a window into the living conditions of ordinary citizens in the post-war decades. The area’s heritage values are woven into its network of streets, steps, terraces, and tong lau building clusters. The historic ambiance and tranquil atmosphere emanating from this landscape is cherished by the public.

Summary of itinerary:

• An introduction to the development and transformation of the historic urban landscape, including the origin of the “30 Houses” name and its remaining traces today.
• A walk through the neighbourhood including stops at local businesses and community initiated facilities.
• A discussion about the impact of tourism on the local community, including contributions by local stakeholde

「卅間」位於香港中環，是一個具有歷史意義的城市景觀，北邊以荷李活道為界，南邊以堅道為界。該區域包括士丹頓街、必列者士街、城皇街、永利街及其周邊的街道和小巷。「卅間」這個名字源自於二戰前區內的30間屋而得名，這些房屋曾經為是來自潮汕和海陸豐的移民聚居之地。

該處平均每公頃就有一座評級歷史建築或構築物，使其成為香港擁有最高歷史建築或結構密度的地區之一。作為香港中環現存最古老的住宅區，「卅間」展示了戰後數十年間普通市民的生活環境。該區的歷史文化價值由其街道、台階、平台和唐樓建築群編織而成。這片人文景觀散發出的歷史氛圍和寧靜氣息為公眾所珍視。

行程簡介：

• 介紹歷史城市景觀的發展和變遷，包括「卅間」名稱的由來及其現存痕跡。
• 在區內漫步，參觀地方商店和社區自發設施。
• 討論旅遊業對當地社區的影響，包括當地利益相關者的貢獻。

About the Speaker

The Friends of the 30 Houses Neighbourhood

“The Friends of the 30 Houses Neighbourhood” is a not-for-profit organisation established to generate vibrant public spaces and community life through conservation, regeneration, and interpretation of the historic fabric and local history of the 30 Houses Neighbourhood.

The organisation was founded by Katty Law, who has been advocating for the conservation of built heritage in Central Hong Kong for over two decades; Sjoerd Hoekstra, a heritage conservation specialist, designer and educator; and Kit Yeung, a landscape designer. They all live in or close to the 30 Houses Neighbourhood.

卅間之友

「卅間之友」是一個非牟組織，旨在通過卅間社區歷史結構和當地歷史的保育、重生和詮釋，創造充滿活力的公共空間和社區生活。

該組織由在過去二十多年一直致力於保育中環文物建築的羅雅寧，以及身兼文物建築保育專家、設計師和講師的Sjoerd Hoekstra和園藝師楊子傑共同創立。他們都是卅間或附近的街坊。

Remarks:

1. Video recording of the field trip will be conducted for discussion purposes at the Symposium of the Heritage Survival series. If participants prefer not to be included in the video, please let us know on the date before the field trip starts.
2. If the Hong Kong Observatory issues an Amber Rainstorm Warning, or Typhoon Signal No. 3 or above, HKICON will notify registered participants via email regarding cancellation of the event and arrangement for rescheduling or a refund at least 2 hours before the scheduled event time.If the weather deteriorates after the field trip has started, HKICON reserves the right to amend the itinerary.