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...[ Read more ]

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.