Hong Kong Architecture 1945-2015 From Colonial to Global
This book focuses on the transformation from colonial to global – the formation, mechanism, events, works and people related to urban architecture. The book reveals hardships the city encountered in the 1950s and the glamour enjoyed in the 1980s. It depic
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Hong Kong Architecture 1945–2015 From Colonial to Global
Hong Kong Architecture 1945–2015
Charlie Q.L. Xue
Hong Kong Architecture 1945–2015 From Colonial to Global
123
Charlie Q.L. Xue Department of Architecture and Civil Engineering City University of Hong Kong Kowloon Tong Hong Kong
ISBN 978-981-10-1003-3 DOI 10.1007/978-981-10-1004-0
ISBN 978-981-10-1004-0
(eBook)
Library of Congress Control Number: 2016939925 © Springer Science+Business Media Singapore 2016 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. Printed on acid-free paper This Springer imprint is published by Springer Nature The registered company is Springer Science+Business Media Singapore Pte Ltd.
Preface
The Impetus for This Book Hong Kong, a Chinese territory located at the tip of the South China Sea, was the last British overseas colony. During its 150 years of colonial rule from 1841 to 1997, the colonial leadership combined with a Chinese effort from the administrative to grass-roots levels made Hong Kong unique. In addition to its values and lifestyle, this city-state has its own social, political, and economic systems. Hong Kong laid down the framework for the city proper during its first hundred years of development from 1841 to 1945. The 50 years following World War II saw Hong Kong transition from a defensive outpost into an international financial hub. The urban architecture seen in the city today was formulated mainly during the 1980s and fermented to maturity. Since 1978, when China opened its doors, Hong Kong has served as an example of economic success, and its experiences have directly contributed to the success of mainland China. In the 1990s, the per capita GDP of Hong Kong once surpassed that of UK, its suzerain.1 After the handover of sovereignty in 1997, Hong Kong became one of China’s many cities. Since then, it has contributed its wealth of experience to other parts of China. In the 1950s and 1960s, Hong Kong was busy relocating refugees and developing local industry. From the
