Managing Arts Organizations

Abstract

Survey textbooks have a lot to accomplish. Providing students and practitioners with an overview of a field is a daunting task with many things for an author to consider. There the Victoria Harbor seemed to be the most pressing problems that the administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (“government”) had to address. The years 2006–2007 represent a turning moment in the post-colonial history of built heritage protection, as the following chapter indicates. The decision of the government to demolish several built heritage sites caused public protest as well as unsuccessful litigation. After 2007, the seventh chapter suggests, Hong Kong’s built heritage policy underwent considerable change. The establishment of the New Antiquities Authority, the adoption of a new policy regarding heritage impact assessment as well as the implementation of a scheme for the revitalization of historic buildings were some of the most important initiatives. The eighth chapter operates as a bridge with the next and final chapter. It takes stock of the bright and dark sides of protecting built heritage in Hong Kong after 2007. In terms of successes, the growing consultation of public opinion concerning heritage-related matters is noticeable (77). By contrast, amongst the darker sides are the disputes about the inscription of certain heritage sites into the World Heritage List and the practical implementation of the heritage impact assessment scheme. Gallagher in the final chapter pushes for the reform of Hong Kong’s built heritage law and policy by listing specific recommendations. Gazing to the future, Gallagher, concludes with confidence about the long-term preservation of Hong Kong’s built heritage (111). From the perspective of the reviewers, Protecting Built Heritage in Hong Kong fills the lacuna of scholarly research into built heritage legislation and policy in Hong Kong by providing a comprehensive analysis. The book is constructive, enlightening, concise and easily accessible to the average reader. Consisting of 111 pages, the book can be read from cover to cover in a reasonably short amount of time. The book throws a net that is both broad and deep enough to appeal to both academics and a wider audience. The book is welcomed by legal scholars and students but also heritage professionals working in the field of cultural heritage and policy as well as to those who maintain an interest to learn more about Hong Kong’s rich built heritage.