THESIS
2017
xxx, 143 pages : color illustrations, color maps ; 30 cm
Abstract
This thesis investigates a “village community” located in urban fringe of Hong Kong that
fights for community sustainability in the face of urban redevelopment. Pokfulam Village is
one of the last few surviving villages in urban area of Hong Kong with a traceable history of
around 200 years. Since the Village is in an area with high land value, it is never free from
the threat of demolition. Though the Village has a long history, members of Pokfulam
Village do not entitle the right of “indigenous villagers” as those in the New Territories. In
the eyes of the Government and general public, Pokfulam Village is considered as a squatter
area with no value for conservation. All these contribute to the making of a marginal village.
However, in this marginalized community, a group of v...[
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This thesis investigates a “village community” located in urban fringe of Hong Kong that
fights for community sustainability in the face of urban redevelopment. Pokfulam Village is
one of the last few surviving villages in urban area of Hong Kong with a traceable history of
around 200 years. Since the Village is in an area with high land value, it is never free from
the threat of demolition. Though the Village has a long history, members of Pokfulam
Village do not entitle the right of “indigenous villagers” as those in the New Territories. In
the eyes of the Government and general public, Pokfulam Village is considered as a squatter
area with no value for conservation. All these contribute to the making of a marginal village.
However, in this marginalized community, a group of villagers has strived hard to sustain
their community. Facilitating by a non-government organization, this group of villagers has
organized various communal activities for their community members. Through these
communal activities, they aim to mobilize villagers and public to participate in the village
conservation campaign, thus to strengthen people’s sense of place. They also engage people
in traditional festivals. Fire dragon dance for Mid-autumn Festival by far is the most
important activity and widely participated event in the Village. This century-old event
serves to reinforce villagers’ sense of community and to create their sense of pride. In the
eyes of the community leaders, the fire dragon dance has become a tool to strengthen
community relationship. The fire dragon dance is presented as Hong Kong’s valuable
intangible cultural heritage. Being an intangible cultural heritage, the annual fire dragon
dance has become the important social and cultural element in maintaining community
members’ relationship and constructing their local identity.
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