HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) kicked off its second International Heritage Conservation Conference today at the premises of The Hong Kong Jockey Club. Officiated by Mr Clement Lau FRICS, Chair of RICS Hong Kong, Mr Wong Kam-sing, GBS, JP, Secretary for the Environment of Hong Kong SAR Government, Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, GBS, JP, Chief Executive Officer, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, Mr Chris Brooke FRICS, Senior Vice President of RICS, Prof Daniel Ho FRICS, Chair of Organising Committee, and Mrs Edith Chan, Managing Director of RICS East Asia, the Conference gathered more than 200 industry professionals, business leaders, operators and government representatives to explore the social and economic benefits of built heritage conservation.
The Conference brought together leaders involved in planning, policy setting, preservation and the operation of built heritage properties to review revitalisation and adaptive reuse projects. Heritage conservation experts shared insights on planning policies to facilitate future projects in Hong Kong, and analysed adaptive reuse case studies including the former Central Police Station compound (Tai Kwun), Cangdong project in Kaiping, China, and the Crown Wine Cellars in Hong Kong. Participants of four breakout sessions explored conservation and planning policy, adaptive reuse design, economic feasibility, and operating heritage properties.
Mr Clement Lau FRICS, Chair of RICS Hong Kong Board, said, “In an era of rapid urbanisation and population growth, where cities face complex redevelopment challenges, heritage conservation and adaptive reuse must be considered as primary solutions – not just alternatives – in the growth and transformation process.”
Mr Wong Kam-sing, GBS, JP, Secretary for the Environment of Hong Kong SAR Government, said, “Hong Kong's unique architecture not only enriches its history and development, but also dotted its city landscape and community. For this reason, the government introduced the heritage conservation policy in 2007. In response to the policy, we respect private property ownership and consider cost-effective economic incentives to encourage owners of buildings with heritage value to support the conservation programme.”
Following the completion of the Conference, RICS will consolidate the discussions and suggestions made relating to the social and economic benefits of built heritage conservation for reference by built environment professionals.
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RICS promotes and enforces the highest professional qualifications and standards in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure. Our name promises the consistent delivery of standards – bringing confidence to the markets we serve.
We accredit 125,000 professionals and any individual or firm registered with RICS is subject to our quality assurance. Their expertise covers property, asset valuation, real estate management; the development of infrastructure; and the management of natural resources, such as mining, farms and woodland. From environmental assessments and building controls to negotiating land rights in an emerging economy; if our members are involved the same professional standards and ethics apply.
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