HONG KONG HERITAGE SOCIETY
SAVE HONG KONG'S HERITAGE!
Don't let historic buildings & landscapes be destroyed!
WHY?
The Kowloon Canton Railway Terminal Building at Tsim Sha Tsui is just one example of HK's heritage. It is a dignified architectural statement and an historic monument marking the termination of the railway system northwards to Canton, China and beyond to Europe. It is a considerable landmark possessing great scale and significance despite the changed environmental conditions and the construction of 20 storey buildings nearby.
This building is threatened with immediate demolition. The authorities propose to destroy it and replace it with a cultural complex including museums, auditoria, meeting rooms, library, etc. These are amenities which Hong Kong badly needs but it is possible,we know, to provide them WITHOUT DESTROYING THE KCR BUILDING. The station is in good structural condition, solidly built. The building and its immediate precincts in short, can be integrated, thus combining historic interest with 20th Century amenities
The Railway Station at Tsim Sha Tsui is only one historic Hong Kong landmark threatened with destruction. The reason it has become a public issue is that it is in imminent danger: to save it, quick action must be taken, and wide support shown for its preservation.
The newly-formed Hong Kong Heritage Society is dedicated to the protection of Hong Kong's cultural heritage Chinese and European whether in the form of buildings, or open spaces. The Society is concerned about old Chinese buildings, and 'colonial' architecture, and about potential parks and recreation areas, such as Victoria Barracks. It is fighting to ensure that ordinary citizens, as well as the Hong Kong Government and property developers, have a say in the future of these amenities. The Society's present members believe that the people of Hong Kong do have an understanding of the importance of preserving the best of their environmental heritage, that they appreciate
must
the importance of parks and quiet places, but that this understanding now be publicly expressed. It believes that the Hong Kong Government is ready to respond to the people's wishes if these are clearly articulated.
The HONG KONG HERITAGE SOCIETY
therefore asks you, as a matter of urgency, to sign this petition and return the form to the Honourary Secretary, The Hong Kong Heritage Society, (address below).
It is therefore PROPOSED AND PETITIONED
• That the building of the Kowloon Canton Railway Terminus in Tsim Sha Tsui be NOT DEMOLISHED, and that all attempts to conserve it for the future be made.
That the authorities undertake that no part of the railway station and its precincts be destroyed or modified until the Hong Kong people have had adequate time and information to express their feelings about its future.
• That all existing plans for the proposed Cultural Centre at Tsim Sha Tsui be made available to the public so that the people can debate the issue in an informed way.
• That proposals for the formal listing of historic buildings generally, so as to provide statutory protection, be made to H.E. the Governor immediately.
I support the principles expressed in the above petition printed by the Hong Kong Heritage Society to prevent the demolition of the Kowloon Canton Railway Terminus at Tsim Sha Tsui.
Name
Address
Signature
.Telephone.
.Date
Occupation/School
Ways in which you are prepared to help the Society
Please send this slip to Save Hong Kong's Heritage, Hon. Secretary, Hong Kong Heritage Society, The Hong Kong Institute of Architects, P.O. Box 2192, Hong Kong.