|
|
ENQUIRE PROJECT DETAILS BY GENERAL PUBLIC |
| Project Details |
| Funding Scheme : | Early Career Scheme | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Project Number : | 28604519 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Project Title(English) : | No Heritage Found on the Map: The Vanishing Villages of Hong Kong | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Project Title(Chinese) : | 地圖上沒有遺產：香港消失的村莊 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal Investigator(English) : | Dr McMaster, Scott | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Principal Investigator(Chinese) : | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Department : | Department of Cultural and Creative Arts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Institution : | The Education University of Hong Kong | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| E-mail Address : | smcmaster@eduhk.hk | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Tel : | 2948 7628 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Co - Investigator(s) : |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Panel : | Humanities, Social Sciences | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subject Area : | Humanities and Arts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Exercise Year : | 2019 / 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Fund Approved : | 479,299 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Project Status : | Completed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Completion Date : | 30-6-2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Project Objectives : |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Abstract as per original application (English/Chinese): |
Twenty years after its 1997 handover back to China Hong Kong remains a unique place on the world’s stage. British colonialism has left many enduring marks on Hong Kong identity as well as on its physical landscape. One of the most peculiar, and controversial, is the legacy of the Small House Policy of the New Territories; an agreement reached between the British and the village leaders after it leased the New Territories in 1898. In a city of severe land scarcity, this unusual law grants decedents of ‘original villager’s’ families (mainly Hakka people), upon their 18 birthday, rights to build a maximum three story house of no more than 2100 sqft. With skyrocketing housing prices downtown this has created a boom of these ‘village houses’ being build and sold, mainly to ‘new villagers’ migrating from the city, on lands that once were Hong Kong’s farms and rice paddies. This has led to rapid changes in the visuality of these once traditional villages. The most notable visual change among these communities is the disappearance of traditional Hakka ancestral family homes, which are now scattered throughout a maze of stylistically unrelated modern village houses. The vanishing of these unique homes continues at rapid pace and since commencement of a pilot study in the spring of 2018 at least half a dozen additional ancestral homes, some dating back over a century, have been demolished during the summer. This makes the study of these traditional homes, their visual culture, and how they once formed the backbones of these villages all the more urgent.
In order to do so this visually driven study employs both audio and visual methods to seek a more in-depth picture of current village life in North Eastern New Territories, Hong Kong by observing, documenting, collaboratively creating, and jointly analysing the multimedia data captured. This study documents the derelict, intact, restored, in ruin ancestral structures, attempting to trace revitalized elements of traditional Hakka villages via their design, layouts, and relationship with the natural environment. The study looks at how the making and sharing of imagery can foster dialogue and analyse the current state of flux of these villages and their lands to reconsider the ‘place’ they occupy how these changes may affect visual cultural identity and connections with the past.
在香港的“香港”被殖民之前，這些土地由客家人定居，他們在珠江三角洲盡頭不確定地逃脫並開始了新的生活。他們主要在現在被稱為“新界”的地區定居。隨著殖民地隨著移民潮的不斷增長，香港的房屋在壓力下緊張，導致騷亂和騷亂。政府期待新界提供發展和建設新城鎮的空間。一百二十年後，英國殖民主義在香港的身份及其自然景觀上留下了許多持久的印記。其中一個最奇特且最有爭議的是“小房子政策”的遺產。與香港和九龍不同，新界是租賃而非割讓，由於直接管理土地使用的雙重政策，香港的發展情況大為不同。小房子政策被視為對村民放棄發展的祖傳土地的補償。這項政策授予“原始村民”家庭的死者，建造一棟不超過2100平方英尺的三層樓房的權利。隨著市中心房價暴漲，這些“村屋”的建設和銷售蓬勃發展，許多人成為家園“新村民”從這座城市遷徙到幾個世紀以來一直是農業和漁村的土地，曾經一度為香港提供食物。這為村民擺脫貧困提供了新的機會，但也導致了這些曾經傳統的村莊的視覺形象的迅速變化。最值得注意的是傳統客家祖屋的消失。祖先的土地和傳統的祖先住宅已經商品化，以換取經濟優勢和社會收益。通過這些簡陋住宅的外牆和入口，我們目睹了過去兩個世紀的緊張局勢，政治，文化，商業和追踪。 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Realisation of objectives: | 1. Comprehensive Audio-Visual Documentation and Archival Materials The study employed image-based methods to capture a detailed and high-quality documentation of the current state of villages and village life in North Eastern New Territories, Hong Kong. This included photographing and filming the derelict, intact, restored, and ruined structures of traditional Hakka villages, their design layouts, and their relationships with the natural environment. The research documented the visual cultural elements still present, such as architectural styles, and used these visual representations to foster dialogue and analysis about the villages' current states. This comprehensive documentation served as a vital archival material, preserving the visual and cultural heritage of these villages. 2. Identifying Significant Issues and Changes in Visuality and Local Culture The research identified significant issues facing the communities by engaging directly with the villagers through interviews and image elicitation methods. Villagers were asked about the most pressing challenges they faced, particularly regarding the preservation of ancestral homes and other forms of Hakka visual culture. The study found that many traditional homes were being demolished to make way for modern constructions, leading to the disappearance of unique architectural and cultural motifs. The feedback from villagers highlighted concerns about the loss of cultural heritage and the impact of new developments on their sense of community and identity. 3. Exploring Visual and Sensory Methodologies The study contributed to the burgeoning field of visual and sensory methodologies by employing innovative methods like image elicitation and collaborative visual documentation. Participants were involved in the production and analysis of visual data, making them active contributors to the research. This approach allowed for a deeper exploration of how visual culture influences identity and community issues. The use of high-resolution images and drone footage provided new ways of understanding and documenting the changing landscape and cultural heritage of the villages. 4. Educational Framework for Community and Formal Education The comprehensive documentation and the findings from the study provided valuable data that could be used for educational purposes. The research highlighted the importance of preserving traditional and changing ways of life through alternative forms of knowing, such as sensory (audio-visual) methods. The visual materials and the insights gained from the study can be used to develop educational programs and materials for both the community and formal education systems, helping to raise awareness about the cultural heritage and the challenges facing these villages. 5. Providing a Platform for Villagers to Share Their Stories The study provided opportunities for villagers to share their stories and voice their opinions on the challenges and issues facing their communities. By involving villagers in the documentation process and using image elicitation techniques, the research gave them a platform to express their perspectives and concerns. The visual exhibition created as part of the study allowed villagers to engage with the visual materials, share their reactions, and contribute their own stories and memories. This collaborative approach helped to amplify the voices of the villagers and fostered a sense of ownership and participation in the research. 6. Informing Educational and Governmental Policies The detailed analyses from the study provided insights that could inform educational and governmental policies on historical and small community ways of life. The research highlighted the impact of development in the green belt and country park village areas, emphasizing the need for policies that balance development with the preservation of cultural heritage. The findings suggested the importance of involving local communities in decision-making processes and recognizing the value of traditional cultural practices and architectural styles. The study's recommendations aimed to address the issues of development while preserving the unique cultural identity of the Hakka villages. Summary "No Heritage Found on Map: The Vanishing Villages of Hong Kong" successfully achieved its objectives by employing a comprehensive and innovative approach to documenting and analyzing the visual cultural heritage of the Hakka villages in the NE New Territories. Through detailed visual documentation, engagement with villagers, and the use of sensory methodologies, the study provided valuable insights into the challenges facing these communities and highlighted the importance of preserving their cultural heritage. The findings and materials generated from this research offer a rich resource for educational purposes and policy development, aiming to support the preservation and revitalization of these unique cultural landscapes. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Summary of objectives addressed: |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Research Outcome | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Major findings and research outcome: | "No Heritage Found on Map: The Vanishing Villages of Hong Kong" highlights the urgent need to document and preserve the traditional Hakka villages in Hong Kong. The study's comprehensive visual methodology and direct engagement with villagers provide a rich archive of cultural heritage and offer valuable insights for educational and policy-making efforts aimed at preserving these unique cultural landscapes amidst rapid urbanization. The major findings were: 1. Disappearance and Transformation of Traditional Villages: The research reveals that traditional Hakka villages are either disappearing or undergoing significant transformations. Many ancestral homes and village structures, characterized by unique architectural styles and cultural motifs, are being demolished to make way for modern developments. This transformation is leading to the erosion of the physical and cultural landscape that has historically defined these communities. 2. Cultural and Visual Heritage: The study emphasizes the importance of traditional Hakka architectural elements, such as specific design layouts, decorations, and construction materials, which are integral to the villagers' identity and heritage. The comprehensive visual documentation, including photographs and videos, captures these elements, providing a valuable archive for future generations and emphasizing the need for their preservation. 3. Community Concerns and Identity: Interviews and image elicitation with villagers highlight their concerns about losing their cultural heritage and sense of community. Many villagers express a sense of displacement and a loss of identity as their ancestral homes are replaced by modern structures. The visual documentation serves as a platform for villagers to voice their concerns and share their stories, thus preserving their cultural narratives. 4. Impact of Urban Development: The construction of the Plover Cove Reservoir, the building of Ting Kok Road, and the land reclamation in Taipo, along with the establishment of the industrial estate, brought about profound changes and challenges to these communities. These developments led to the loss of farmland, traditional homes, and communal spaces, disrupting the cultural and social fabric of the villages.. 5. Educational and Policy Implications: The findings underscore the need for educational programs and policies that recognize and preserve the cultural heritage of these villages. The study provides a framework for using the visual and sensory data collected to develop educational materials that can raise awareness about traditional Hakka culture and the challenges it faces. Moreover, the research suggests that government policies should involve local communities in decision-making processes to ensure that development is balanced with the preservation of cultural heritage. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Potential for further development of the research and the proposed course of action: |
The study on the vanishing Hakka villages of Hong Kong sets a foundational basis for further development in several key areas. Future research can delve deeper into comparative studies between the preservation efforts of Hakka villages in Hong Kong and those in other regions, such as Mainland China or Taiwan, to identify best practices and innovative preservation strategies. Expanding the scope to include digital heritage initiatives, like virtual reality (VR) reconstructions of the villages, could offer immersive educational tools and promote global awareness. To effectively implement the proposed course of action, a multi-faceted approach is recommended: Policy Advocacy: Engage with policymakers to advocate for stronger heritage conservation laws that integrate local community input and prioritize cultural preservation alongside development. Community Engagement: Foster active participation from villagers in preservation projects, ensuring their voices and needs are central to conservation efforts. Educational Programs: Develop comprehensive educational materials and curricula based on the documented visual and sensory data, aimed at both local schools and international platforms to raise awareness and appreciation of Hakka heritage. Collaborative Projects: Partner with universities, NGOs, and cultural organizations to fund and support ongoing research and preservation initiatives. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Layman's Summary of Completion Report: | This research project looks at the Hakka villages in Hong Kong, which are quickly disappearing. I recorded these villages with photos and audio to capture their unique culture, traditional buildings, and community life. The research is important because it helps preserve the history and traditions of the Hakka people, which are a key part of Hong Kong's cultural diversity. By creating these recordings, I ensure that future generations can learn about and appreciate their heritage. The project is valuable for several reasons. It provides visual and interview data that could be used to create educational materials for schools and the community, helps villagers share their stories and concerns, and offers information that can guide policies to protect these historical areas while allowing for modern development. In short, this project helps keep the culture and traditions of Hong Kong’s Hakka villages alive, making sure their stories are not forgotten. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Research Output | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Peer-reviewed journal publication(s) arising directly from this research project : (* denotes the corresponding author) |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Recognized international conference(s) in which paper(s) related to this research project was/were delivered : |
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other impact (e.g. award of patents or prizes, collaboration with other research institutions, technology transfer, etc.): |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SCREEN ID: SCRRM00542 |