JultikaUniversity of Oulu repository

Abstract

“The future of architecture is culture.” — Philip Johnson.

With the rise of globalization from the 20th century, the lacking of cultural identity in metropolis throughout the world has become an urgent issue, thus, it’s resulting the loss of tradition and local cultures in the not distant future.

Hong Kong, former British colony, is one of the highly globalized metropolis with hundreds of homogeneous skyscraper in order to operate and maintain its status of an international financial center. Traditions, local culture and identity of this place are losing bit to bit, yet this result is turning itself to a “just another” globalized city in the world.

Every cities, no mater it is globalized, have their abandoned old urban district with full of local culture and tradition. However, most of them are suffered under disrepair or forgotten.

Responding to the uncertain future of tradition and culture of Hong Kong, this thesis takes a theoretical path in creating an alternative typology for renovation of metropolis’ old urban district. The proposal introduces a compromise between the desire for renovation and the maintenance of its own local culture, thus to enhance its cultural identity in the global environment. While Hong Kong is taken as the targeted site.

Two major parts are contained in this thesis, which the first part focuses on the research related to the impact of globalization on cultural identities, and the condition of Hong Kong’s old districts. The second part of the thesis proposes an alternative typology of renovating the old districts.