“Pokfulam Village of Perseverance and Resilience”
Pokfulam Village is located in the southwest side of Hong Kong Island, lying in the valley below Victoria Peak. In 2013, the villagers initiated the “STAY” movement to declare to society their hope to stay in their homes, and their wish for society to assist them in preserving this 300 years old village in a city of rapid urbanization. Influenced by the motivation behind this event, the villagers and Caritas Community Development Team stationed in Pokfulam Village have also created many memorable experiences including: In 2012, the book “Pokfulam Village: The Historical Settlement Below the Victoria Peak“ was published as a documentation of the oral history of Pokfulam Villagers, and won the 6th HONG KONG BOOK PRIZE.
- In 2013, World Monuments Fund included Pokfulam Village in the 2014 World Monuments Watch, which is an acknowledgement to the historical significance and potential threats to this village. This is the first site to be enlisted in Hong Kong.
- In 2015, Caritas collaborated with villagers to apply for “Revitalizing Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme” from the Development Bureau, and successfully received $50 million funding to convert Old Dairy Farm Senior Staff Quarters into a Ecological Research Center about the Cultural Landscape of Pokfulam Village.
- In 2017, the Mid-Autumn Festival Fire Dragon Dance of Pokfulam Village was listed under the Hong Kong’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage and might have the chance to be graded as a National Cultural Heritage in the future.
- In 2017, Antiquities and Monuments Office proposed that 67 items in Old Dairy Farm be appraised as a Historic Building of the Antiquities Advisory Board. This is also a reward for all the conservation efforts done by the villagers to preserve the historical and cultural significance of Pokfulam Village.
However, the outcomes of these milestones became a shock to the villagers and even fellow contestants and proposers of these titles. Despite the series of appraisals, there has never been any legitimate plan to follow up, not to mention the numerous requirements and limitations behind each title, which controls the processes and results. What appears as an easy coincidence, after setting on a general direction, is actually the source of a ripple effect. These titles comes with a price, and these obstacles had to be overcame by villagers one by one, in order for Pokfulam Village to become what it is today. This project aims to identify the conditions and requirements to implement the Assest-based Community Development Strategy, and in the process push forward the consolidation of the experience in Pokfulam Village. The project hopes to be guidance to the upcoming community associations and members, and advocate the development of resilient communities.
- Benjamin Sin 2015-2016 Team Leader, Caritas Pokfulam Community Development Project