1. Introduction

This project explores Hong Kong’s vibrant neon signboards, which once defined its iconic skyline and symbolised the city’s bustling urban life. Yet such signature brightness has dimmed as a result of tug-of-war between powers, especially through governmental legislation and intervention in the past decades, which has been brought to our attention. As traces could be durable in both a material and non-material sense, the disappearing signboards now remain as an intangible cultural trace, particularly a collective memory in many residents’ hearts (Anderson, 2015). Hence, this project investigates how the concept of power and hegemony applies in the decline of neon signboards, and how major stakeholders including the Hong Kong government and conservation groups have circulated around the trend.

2. Cultural Geographical Perspective in Use

Power is ubiquitous and present in various aspects of life including the field of cultural geography (Sharma, 2018). Instead of being static, power is dynamic since it will move multi-directionally and circulate while people will experience both exercising the power and being subjected to the power (Lucknow University, n.d.; Sharma, 2018).

The above brief introduction reveals that there is a shifting and changing exercise of power among stakeholders regarding neon signboards. Thus, we would like to employ one of the cultural geographical perspectives which is power dynamics to analyze how stakeholders such as the government and the conservation groups exercise their powers and interact with one another and how these contribute to the transformation of neon signboards in Hong Kong. For instance, the government exercise its power through the modality of legislation that results in a dramatic decline in the number of neon signboards in Hong Kong as well as the dominance effect. Nevertheless, power can be productive in terms of engendering the appearance of new behaviours and resistance, which is a built-in attribute of power, comes along with the exercise of power (Balan, 2010; Lucknow University, n.d.). Different measures such as establishing exhibitions for demolished neon signboards have been adopted by the conservation groups to not only preserve neon signboards and those embedded collective memories and values but also resist or challenge the dominating power of the government. These measures employed by the conservation groups have also transformed neon signboards in Hong Kong such as converting the value of these signboards from a commercial one to an artistic one. The above is a succinct account of how the exercise of the powers of different stakeholders and their interactions impacts neon signboards. The following analysis will provide a more comprehensive and in-depth explanation.

3. Empirical Analysis

Dominating power and hegemony

The Hong Kong government has implemented its powers over neon signboards with various legislative measures and regulatory frameworks, leading to neon signboards' decline nowadays. Dominating power is established with regulations that curb new building works, reduce existing building works and attain cultural change through education of neon signboards. It provides the government with ways of regulating operations and offering monitoring. Legal authority impacts the commercial and cultural value of neon signboards in Hong Kong.

The regulation of neon signboards in Hong Kong has been comprehensive through various legislation, greatly reducing their prevalence. The population of these signboards has decreased from an estimated 120,000 in 2011 to fewer than 500 by 2023 (Leung, 2023). Within five years, the government has issued almost 5,000 removal orders about 16,711 signboards (Hu, 2023). This change indicates that the government emphasizes urban aesthetics and public safety over cultural preservation.

Hegemony is the dominance of one cultural group others, obtained through various ways such as coercion, regulation and the willing acquiescence of citizens. The regulatory mechanism has spread the message to the public that neon signboards are outdated. Many people view neon signboards as unpopular or even illegal, which affects the perception of the public and reduces resistance to their eradication. Here, the government has abused its power to suppress the idea of neon preservation, thus demonstrating the existence of hegemonic practices.

The Hong Kong government implemented stricter neon signboard installation and maintenance restrictions. Under the Building Ordinance, signboards must be approved by the Buildings Department before building, and smaller, lower-risk ones must deliver completed photos within 14 days. Some projects are excluded from permission or professional services. Signboards not set up using the aforesaid processes are illegal (法律101, 2023). The Buildings Department can order the removal of an unauthorized signboard under Section 24(2)(c) of the Buildings Ordinance. Many signs have been removed for safety and building compliance reasons (Building Department, 2018).

Neon signboards are regulated by the government since improper installation and maintenance could put public safety in jeopardy. Most neon signs are very old, and the government needs to make sure they do not fall from ageing and destruction and attack pedestrians and cars (胡恩威, 2022). Besides safety concerns, light pollution is one reason the government needs to act upon it. It affects residents' quality of life as urbanization develops. Therefore, the government controls the neon signboards to protect the citizens' environments (香港01, 2018).

Neon signboards play an important role in commercial activities and attract customers' attention. As part of its regulation, the government will exempt small signboards that meet safety criteria to boost the local economy. The government has introduced a voluntary "Validation Scheme" for smaller signboards with reduced risks built before September 2013. Keeping signboards after examination and approval by Safety inspectors, consolidators, and certifiers who are appointed by the owner. After 5 years, signboard owners must examine or remove them (法律101, 2023).

The "Validation Scheme" allows some signboard owners to maintain them if they fulfil safety regulations. Signboard owners face constant difficulties with five-year re-inspections. Under the inspection method, just a few signs can last for five years before their legality is challenged. Since the signs were illegal, their long-term viability is uncertain. Companies have switched to digital displays or compliance signage.

Table 1: Signboards eligible for validation (Sources: Buildings Department. (n.d.))

Resistance of the conservation groups

Resistance power arises accompanying dominant power. Conservation groups adopt various strategies to express their strong demands for cultural heritage protection and dissatisfaction with government policy in response to the power dynamic.

Conservation groups believe that neon signboards reflect Hong Kong's social and economic evolution, as they represent previous prosperity. These groups perceive neon signboards as essential to Hong Kong's culture, rather than only a commercial instrument. Their absence will reduce Hong Kong's uniqueness in its urban landscape and culture. This change impacts the identity of the local population and complicates the ability of international tourists to appreciate the unique attractions of Hong Kong (豆子, 2020).

Some conservation groups founded "Neon Intersection" in Hong Kong to focus on neon signboard conservation. They work with commercial entities like Tsui Wah Group to conserve neon signs. It held monthly displays of restored neon signs to educate the public about their history. To raise awareness of neon lights and their cultural significance (ELLEMEN HONG KONG, n.d.). Conservation groups use such methods to raise awareness of neon signboard conservation. To combat government-promoted principles, neon signboards are no longer popular and can be dangerous.

More people are paying attention to the conservation of neon signboards. Some young people are studying the trade to preserve this traditional expertise (香港文匯網, 2023). This movement supports existing signboards and allows for future creations. For instance, some shops and restaurants have moved neon signboards indoors to continue their role. It helped turn neon lights into aesthetics from their commercial value (香港旅遊發展局, n.d.).

Exhibition View at Vita Sign Laundry Step (Source: Tai Kwun)

Existing neon signboards in Mong Kok (Source: Self-taken Photo)

To sum up, this project laid emphasis on analysing how power dynamics are shown from neon lights. The two major stakeholders comprising the power dynamics are the government and the conservation groups. The government implemented legislative measures and frameworks to regulate signboards. Height and size of signboards are legislated for the sake of ensuring public safety and alleviating light pollution, while retaining the value of signboards on commercial activities. On the other side, the conservation groups endeavour to promote this unique culture representing Hong Kong by raising public awareness while conforming to the government’s safety regulations. Through analysing neon lights’ impact with the use of power dynamics, effort on preserving this precious trace from various stakeholders are apparent.

References

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