A quest for identity? Review of Hong Kong architecture
Authors
Citation
HKIA journal: the official journal of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (香港建築師學報), no.34, 2003, pp. 30-39
Abstract
A recognisable identity for any place is important for social needs and spatial behaviours. This article examines the physical characteristics of Hong Kong architecture: hig-rise, high-density, on a hilly terrain. As a focal point of Southeast Asia, Hong Kong cannot escape from international discourses and struggles such as between government vs. commercialism, East vs. West, and globalisation vs. indigene. The author predicts that Hong Kong's land constraints, financial situation, buiding regulations and design professionals will play an increasingly important role in shaping the city's future archtectural identities.
(1) Populaion pressure and land shortage result in high-rise, high-density buildings
(2) Buildings constructed on hillsides and uneven ground
(3) Politics giving way to commercialism
(4) East-west coexistence
(5) Globalisation vs. indigene
(6) Prospects for Hong Kong architecture - conclusion
(a) Increase in land constraints
(b) Financial conditions may worsen
(c) Outdated building regulations need revising
(d) Increase in 'colonising' China
(e) Mindsets need to change
(7) Endnotes
(8) References
Description
Subject
Type
Article
Format
Date
2003
Language
en