1. Introduction

This project focuses on the revitalization of historical buildings in Hong Kong's Central District. It will analyze the reasons for their preservation and continued use in the face of modernization. The revitalization of these buildings illustrates not only the evolution of the city at the crossroads of globalization and local character but also how this city has preserved its traditional culture while pursuing cost-effectiveness and efficiency. Applying the humanistic analysis methodology of New Cultural Geography, our project will take the Big House and the Central Market as examples. By analyzing how these buildings maintain their unique value within Hong Kong's geographical and cultural context, we can gain a brief insight into how the revitalization has been accomplished in Hong Kong and promote this approach to other regions.

According to the humanistic analysis method of New Cultural Geography, the study of cultural landscapes in the form of dwellings should not only focus on the changes in their formal functions but also on the cultural significance of the landscape to the observers and their changes over time. Due to the differences in people's aesthetic sensibilities, social relations, and other aspects, there are many different forms of dwellings even within the same natural environment, which shows that the humanistic factor is the main factor in the formation of such cultural landscapes, and the dominant factor in the changes in forms and functions of such cultural landscapes. Considering humans' essential role in these cultural landscapes, more attention must be paid to their cultural significance from an anthropocentric perspective in our analysis. (Cosgrove etc., 2005)

Cultural landscapes, as traces resulting from the interaction between geographical context and cultures, carry the prevailing ideologies and values of society. The changes in their forms and functions can reflect the changes in the mainstream thoughts of society over time. Adopting the humanistic analysis method, our study will analyze the transformation and revitalization of the historic buildings in Central Hong Kong from the perspective of their cultural significance and changes to Hong Kong people, as well as the collision, contradiction, and co-existence with Hong Kong culture, particularly in the context of the city’s rapid development and emphasis on efficiency. By evaluating the revitalization of the historic buildings in Central Hong Kong, we can gain a deeper understanding of protecting historic cultural landscapes under the rapid development of modern society.

3. Empirical Analysis

Central Market

Central Market, whose history can be traced back to 1842, is one of the oldest markets in Hong Kong. The 1st generation Central Market was built under the governance of Britain after the occupation of Hong Kong Island in 1841. In the past, the Central Market was just a marketplace that used Functionalism as its main building style without many complex designs. This shows the emphasis on efficiency in Hong Kong culture since British Hong Kong. (Chinachem Group,2024). The Central Market is a cultural landscape, and its values and appearance vary with the change in value judgment and culture of society. Using the humanistic analysis method, we can contrast the past and modern Central Market. 

As time passed, the latest generation Central Market has immersed elements of arts while keeping some functions of a market. In 2009-2011, different stakeholders had shown their opinions and expectations to the revitalization of the Central Market. Most of the citizens expected that the Central Market would be revitalized into a space for leisure and affordable eateries with local cuisines. Since Hong Kong was ruled by Britain for almost a century, the building designs and the culture were blended with the foreign culture. We can see the function and meanings toward Hong Kong citizens varies over time, which changed from a market purpose to a place for recreation. (Chinachem Group,2024). 

Over the centuries, Hong Kong citizens have continued to emphasize efficiency in every aspect, including the design of buildings. Compared to revitalizing a building, it is more efficient and cost-effective to demolish and build another infrastructure in the same place. However, the Central Market has not been demolished into another skyscraper. This is because the culture in this place has brought a sense of belonging to the citizens nowadays. The sense of belonging and collective memory has saved the Central Market from being demolished. The mainstream thoughts of efficiency have not changed over time, but cultural development has also become one of the mainstream thoughts nowadays.

In modern times, efficiency and cultural development are equally important. Hence, the revitalization of the Central Market will be an example of how to preserve tradition while pursuing benefits. Different topics of art exhibitions or events about local or international cultures would be held in the Central Market every month. As time passed, the Central market has not only been preserved as an ordinary market but also a place to gather citizens, promoting art and culture in Hong Kong. This shows the usage of the Central Market has changed as citizens tend to pursue art and cultural development in Hong Kong. With this trend, the Central Market is currently challenged by the problem of balancing commercialization and culture preservation. (Chau,2021) 

Big House, which was the Former Central Police Station compound in the past, was built in 1864 in Hong Kong Central. At that time, Central was the concentration of colonialism, and Big House was the symbol of the law and authority of the colonial government. As one of the key facilities, it assumed the functions of a police station, court, and prison. It has deep imprints of colonial culture. Its architectural style fully shows design features in the colonial period, such as symmetrical architecture, red brick facades, and arched windows. These elements showed the high emphasis placed on functions and orders during the British colonial period.

As the most prosperous commercial and cultural center in Hong Kong, Central combines traditional and international features. The location of Big House is not only close to the financial center but also to the traditional streets. This geographical context provides more complexity and possibilities for the revitalization of Big House. There are more requirements to maintain the historical trace and encounter modern society's needs for various functions. The revitalization of Big House is not only the protection of historical memories but also the mixing of cultures. By mixing traditional and modern, local and international elements, Big House successfully became a vital platform for showing the diversity of Hong Kong culture.

The revitalization of Big House cannot be realized without the joint effort of government, community, and market. First, the Hong Kong government provides policy support and financial security for the revitalization of Big House. Besides, by planning activities that combine traditional and modern culture, the culture institutes and community help Big House transform into a public space for citizens. The power of the market also cannot be ignored. The commercial value of Central attracts the participation of creative industries. By introducing artists, cultural and creative shops, and characteristic restaurants, Big House has not only achieved a diversity of functions but also enhanced its economic sustainability. This cooperation of government, community, and market makes Big House keep its historical value and get involved in modern city life.

Big House has even more functions and symbolism than in the colonial period after revitalization. Through the introduction of Hong Kong's traditional and local cultural elements, Big House gets an extensive form of culture. It holds cultural lectures and exhibitions with different themes frequently, including modern art and Hong Kong's traditional art. These activities not only enrich the cultural content of Big House but also highlight the diversity and inclusiveness of Hong Kong's culture.

In the process of the revitalization of Big House, there have been many challenges, like the over-commerce problem and the cultural identity conflicts in the colonial background of Big House. To meet these challenges, Big House enhances the participation and sense of belonging of the public by holding various multicultural events. For example, by organizing events that combine traditional festivals with modern art, Big House becomes a cultural sharing space. It not only resolves cultural conflicts but also allows Big House to find a balance between cultural heritage and modern functions.

4. Conclusion

In conclusion, this study focuses on the revitalization of historic buildings in Central Hong Kong and analyzes the socio-ideological shifts reflected behind each morphological transformation of locations, such as Big House and Central Market. The evolution of these places is more than just a practical adjustment. It is also a reflection of cultural identity and memory, where traditional and modern aspects coexist. Through the study, we propose that the revitalization effort in Central shows the possibility of mutual reinforcement between tradition preservation and the pursuit of benefits, emphasizing the importance of keeping historical authenticity while meeting modern needs. We also conclude that Hong Kong's building regeneration work is worth repeating globally: encouraging multi-stakeholder participation, such as using cultural activities to enhance the public's sense of belonging and cultural identity and encouraging social and commercial organizations to undertake revitalization work.

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Central Market 中環街市. (n.d.-b). Retrieved November 16th, 2024 from https://www.centralmarket.hk/en/revitalization 

Chau, C. (2021b, August 26). Hong Kong’s Central Market comes back to life but conservationist takes issue with “gentrification.” Retrieved from Hong Kong Free Press HKFP website: https://hongkongfp.com/2021/08/26/hong-kongs-central-market-comes-back-to-life-but-conservationist-takes-issue-with-gentrification/

Historical Timeline | Tai Kwun. (n.d.). Retrieved November 16th, 2024 from https://www.taikwun.hk/en/taikwun/heritage_conservation/historical_timeline 

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