Liquid cultures: continuity and change in New Town fringe villages
Reinterpreting notion of ‘traditional society’ in conservation future(s) of rural communties and their settlements, on the example of Shan Pui Tsuen in Yuen Long, Hong Kong
Zuzanna H. Sliwinska (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
R Cavallo – Mentor (TU Delft - Theory, Territories & Transitions)
P. Medici – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Theory, Territories & Transitions)
Y. Chen – Coach (TU Delft - Urban Development Management)
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Abstract
Hong Kong is known for its skyline and urban context, interpreted through colonial history. However, its past, present and future are entangled with that of almost 700 villages scattered across the New Territory land and preceding the current Hong Kong population. With recent proposals to further develop the currently ‘rural’ northwest of Hong Kong through the Northern Metropolis proposal, the tangible and intangible dimensions of the village society might be sacrificed to accommodate for a growing population and political interests.
The study aims to examine how traditional society is being reinterpreted in the face of change and loss, particularly in relation to the shifting notion of a village and its role within rural society. It seeks to redefine countryside conservation strategies in the context of the northwest New Territories by moving beyond the cataloguing of the past and embracing progressive, future-oriented practices. The research proposes a framework for self-managed design processes that actively protect community values, offering an alternative approach to the current revitalization strategies limited to eco-tourism and open-air museum projects.
The proposal accommodated for needs of both indigenous and ‘new’ residents, at the same time maximizing the use of existing developed land, and protecting the surrounding natural context. The possibilities of inter-village collaborations suggested through the project encourage the wider application of local skills and the protection of local businesses. Together come to be a strategy for the active preservation of rural cultural heritage, allowing for the change to achieve continuity.