Built Heritage Revitalisation: Opportunities and Challenges

Online Symposium

The Symposium, Built Heritage Revitalisation: Opportunities and Challenges – Experience Sharing on The Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme (R-Scheme) Operation, jointly organised by Jao Tsung-I Academy and Lingnan University to provide an opportunity for R-Scheme and other built heritage operators in Hong Kong to network and share their experiences was successfully held on May 10, it was the first hybrid symposium hosted by the Academy.

Six R-Scheme representatives from YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel, Tai O Heritage Hotel, Jao Tsung-I Academy, St. James’ Settlement Blue House Cluster Revitalisation Project, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Leadership Institute, and The Pokfulam Farm to share their experience in managing their respective R-Scheme projects.

All R-Scheme operators are non-profit-making organisations, operating R-Scheme projects in a self-sustainable way. In the face of conservation, revitalisation, and reconstruction, it is necessary to make corresponding cooperation in making built historic buildings comply with the current building regulations.

The presentations were followed by a roundtable discussion on issues surrounding built heritage management in Hong Kong, Dr. Carmen C M Tsui, Associate Professor of the Department of History, Lingnan University, moderated the panel discussion. Panelists including Mr. Ivanhoe Chang, Commissioner for Heritage, Development Bureau of the HKSAR Government, Prof. Hon. Lau Chi Pang, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation; Prof. Desmond Hui Cheuk Kuen, Non-official Member of the Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation; Mr. Chan Yiu Hung, Managing Director of Hong Kong Cultural Infrastructure and Member of HKICON; Mr. Mike Lai, Chief Executive Officer of Jao Tsung-I Academy, Mr. Terence Lee, Chief Executive Officer of The Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association, Ms. Melanie Kwok, Assistant General Manager of The Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation Ltd., Mr. David Fung, Assistant Chief Executive Officer of St. James’ Settlement, Ms. Miranda Wong, Director of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Leadership Institute and Mr. Benjamin Sin, Steering Committee Member of The Pokfulam Farm.

In the roundtable discussion, regarding revitalisation, the panelists concluded that the R-Scheme projects’ proposal and actual construction might differ to meet the current building regulations. In addition to conservation and revitalisation, community projects are attained to enhance the connection between historic buildings and community history. The YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel established the Heritage of Mei Ho House, Tai O Heritage Hotel using Tai O local products in restaurant’s dishes, and the Blue House Cluster Revitalisation Project implemented “Retain House and Tenant” community participation approach, achieving sustainable development through conservation and appreciation of built heritage.

Built Heritage Revitalisation: Opportunities and Challenges Symposium | Rewatch at JTIA’s YouTube Channel

Date | May 10, 2022 (Tue)*

Time | 14:00 – 17:30

Language | Cantonese

Registration | Click Here

The Symposium, Built Heritage Revitalisation: Opportunities and Challenges – Experience Sharing on The Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme (R-Scheme) Operation, is jointly organised by JTIA and Lingnan University to provide an opportunity for R-Scheme and other built heritage operators in Hong Kong to network and share their experiences.

R-Scheme is a conservation initiative launched by the HKSAR Government. Since its initiation in 2008, the R-Scheme has provided funding and opportunities for nineteen non-profit-making organisations to put government-owned historic buildings to good adaptive reuse. What motivates these organisations to participate in the R-Scheme? What lessons can be learned from their experience in managing built heritage?

The objective of this symposium is to understand the opportunities and challenges in reusing historic buildings from the operators’ angle and to provide a networking platform for built heritage operators and professionals. We have invited representatives from YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel, Tai O Heritage Hotel, Jao Tsung-I Academy, Viva Blue House, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Leadership Institute, and The Pokfulam Farm to share their experience in managing their respective R-Scheme projects. The presentations will be followed by a roundtable discussion on issues surrounding built heritage management in Hong Kong.

Welcome Address

Prof. Lee Chack Fan

Chairman of the Jao Tsung-I Academy Management Board

Prof. Hon. Lau Chi Pang

Associate Vice-President (Academic Affairs and External Relations), Lingnan University

Mr. Ivanhoe Chang

Commissioner for Heritage, Development Bureau

HKSAR Government

Presentation Speakers

YHA Mei Ho House Youth Hostel | Mr. Anthony Chan, Vice Chairman, Executive Committee of the HKYHA

Tai O Heritage Hotel | Ms. Melanie Kwok, Assistant General Manager of Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation Ltd.

Jao Tsung-I Academy | Mrs. Kiki Ko-Li, Chief Operating Officer of Jao Tsung-I Academy

St. James’ Settlement Blue House Cluster Revitalisation Project | Mr. David Fung, Assistant Chief Executive Officer of St. James’ Settlement

The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Leadership Institute | Ms. Miranda Wong, Director of The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Leadership Institute

The Pokfulam Farm | Mr. Benjamin Sin, Steering Committee Member of The Pokfulam Farm

Roundtable Discussion

|| Panelists ||

Mr. Ivanhoe Chang

Commissioner for Heritage, Development Bureau

HKSAR Government

Prof. Hon. Lau Chi Pang

Chairman, Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation

Prof. Desmond Hui Cheuk Kuen

Non-official Member, Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation

Mr. Chan Yiu Hung

Managing Director, Hong Kong Cultural Infrastructure

Member of HKICON

Mr. Mike Lai

Chief Executive Officer, Jao Tsung-I Academy

Mr. Terence Lee

Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association

Ms. Melanie Kwok

Assistant General Manager, Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation Ltd.

Mr. David Fung

Assistant Chief Executive Officer, St. James’ Settlement

Ms. Miranda Wong

Director, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups Leadership Institute

Mr. Benjamin Sin

Steering Committee Member, The Pokfulam Farm

|| Moderator ||

Dr. Carmen C M Tsui

Associate Professor, Lingnan University

*The date of the symposium is subject to change based on the latest COVID-19 guidances in Hong Kong.