We play an important role in conserving historic public buildings and have established the Heritage Group. It provides technical advisory services to Commissioner for Heritage on the revitalisation projects and provides professional input for "Revitalising Historic Buildings through Partnership Scheme" (RHBTPS).
evitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme (RHBTP Scheme) This scheme was introduced in February 2008 to promote adaptive re-use of government-owned historic buildings and so allows the public to participate in heritage conservation.
This sum was invested in our green building features and greening works as well as in environmental building research studies.
Heritage Conservation
We have an important role to play in conserving historic buildings with high cultural significance.
evitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme (RHBTP Scheme) This scheme was introduced in February 2008 to promote adaptive re-use of government-owned historic buildings and so allows the public to participate in heritage conservation.
Since the announcement in the 2007-08 Policy Address of the new heritage conservation policy and a package of initiatives to promote heritage conservation, the Development Bureau has established the Commissioner for Heritage's Office and made good progress on several fronts. To support this initiative, we have set up a Heritage Group which undertakes the technical advisor's role to Commissioner for Heritage on the revitalisation projects and provides professional advice for the "Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme" (RHBTPS).
Heritage Impact Assessment
Since 1 January 2008, government projects which affect declared monuments, historical or heritage sites and buildings are required to conduct a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA) to ensure that the conservation value of affected buildings will not be overlooked and to minimise any unavoidable impact by including suitable mitigation measures. It also allows for the public to be involved in the early stage of the project.
As a general principle of conservation, the condition of the building before any intervention including all methods and materials used during treatment must be carefully documented. Any intervention must be the minimum necessary and reversible if technically possible. The Lung Fu Shan Environmental Centre is a typical example. Before we renovated the former government quarters into the Environmental Education Centre, a detailed assessment of the condition of the building was conducted. Alteration and fitting out works, building services installations, external restoration work, signage and drainage work were carefully carried out and these improvement works are illustrated below:
Case Study: Yau Ma Tei Theatre & Red Brick Building
In his 2007-08 Policy Address, the Chief Executive announced that the Government has decided to convert the former Yau Ma Tai Theatre, (YMTT), into a Cantonese Opera Centre which would serve as a permanent performing venue for Cantonese Opera troupes.
The YMTT was completed in the late 1920's and was granted Grade II historic building status in December 1998. It will be converted into a public performance venue with a stage and seating for about 300. The nearby Red Brick Building, (RBB), was built in 1895 as an engineer's office for the former pumping station in Shanghai Street. It ceased operating in 1911 and is now the oldest surviving pumping station of the Water Supplies Department. The Antiquities Advisory Board granted it Grade I historic building status in June 2000. The RBB will now be converted to be a supporting facility to the YMTT with multi function rooms, an office and a souvenir shop.
In October 2008, we carried out a HIA for this site and adjacent historic buildings. Our objectives were to establish the cultural significance of YMTT and RBB, to formulate policies for the conservation of the site and buildings as a whole and to identify the possible impact and propose mitigation measures to alleviate any adverse effects.
Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme
The "Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme" (RHBTP Scheme) started in February 2008. It aims to promote adaptive re-use of government-owned historic buildings and has, through various briefings and consultations, gained the support of NGOs and the LegCo Home Affairs Panel.
This Scheme provides the opportunity for direct public participation in heritage conservation whereby NGOs can submit their proposals for adaptive re-use of these government-owned historic buildings. We hope that creative approaches in preserving our historic buildings and expanding their usage can be adopted to transform them into unique cultural landmarks.
As a pilot programme, seven buildings have been offered under this Scheme, including the Old Tai Po Police Station (舊大埔警署), Lui Seng Chun (雷生春), Lai Chi Kok Hospital (荔枝角醫院), North Kowloon Magistracy (北九龍裁判法院), Old Tai O Police Station (舊大澳警署), Fong Yuen Study Hall (芳園書室) and Mei Ho House (美荷樓).