[hkskyline]

Hong Kong's heritage preservation movement is gaining strength in recent years as major redevelopments take place and the debate over what to do with historic buildings arises. Recently, the movement culminated with protests over how sites of historic value in the central business district can be integrated with the new harbourfront park and highway plan.

Queen's Pier was designated as a historic building this week, but its fate is yet unclear as the government wants to demolish it while land reclamation continues offshore. Previous colonial governors used this pier as their landing point and for ceremonial purposes. Protesters continue to camp at the site urging the government to preserve the structure in the new harbourfront plans.





















































































The 'Red Brick Building' in Yau Ma Tei is over 100 years old and was the first water-pumping station in Kowloon. Today it is preserved and sits next to a huge residential redevelopment project.





Murray House was the colonial army quarters when it was built in 1846. Formerly located where today's Bank of China Tower now stands, it was dismantled in 1982 and re-assembled in Stanley. Today, it houses a museum and restaurants.











This thread will showcase how historic buildings have been given new functions and what urban design and preservation plans are there for existing historic sites that are being redeveloped.