hello we are HK FX which stands for Hong Kong urban exploration now you’re
Kong urban exploration now you’re
Kong urban exploration now you’re probably wondering what an urban
probably wondering what an urban
probably wondering what an urban exploration group from Hong Kong is
exploration group from Hong Kong is
exploration group from Hong Kong is doing your Singapore well to talk about
doing your Singapore well to talk about
doing your Singapore well to talk about I’ve been exploration but what is that
I’ve been exploration but what is that
I’ve been exploration but what is that exactly what is urban exploration in the
exactly what is urban exploration in the
exactly what is urban exploration in the broadest context it is the exploration
broadest context it is the exploration
broadest context it is the exploration of abandoned man-made buildings and
of abandoned man-made buildings and
of abandoned man-made buildings and structures what we do is largely an
structures what we do is largely an
structures what we do is largely an anonymous endeavor because it’s not
anonymous endeavor because it’s not
anonymous endeavor because it’s not exactly legal and as such we like to
exactly legal and as such we like to
exactly legal and as such we like to protect our identities so my code name
protect our identities so my code name
protect our identities so my code name is Jenkins and I am ghost I’d like to
is Jenkins and I am ghost I’d like to
is Jenkins and I am ghost I’d like to thank you all for taking your Saturday
thank you all for taking your Saturday
thank you all for taking your Saturday off to be here and listen to us we’ve
off to be here and listen to us we’ve
off to be here and listen to us we’ve made it a little bit easier for you
made it a little bit easier for you
made it a little bit easier for you we’re wearing masks so you don’t have to
we’re wearing masks so you don’t have to
we’re wearing masks so you don’t have to see our ugly faces but there’s another
see our ugly faces but there’s another
see our ugly faces but there’s another reason why we’re away in these months
reason why we’re away in these months
reason why we’re away in these months it’s to take the focus away from us this
it’s to take the focus away from us this
it’s to take the focus away from us this talk is not about him
talk is not about him
talk is not about him under the mask it’s not about me it’s
under the mask it’s not about me it’s
under the mask it’s not about me it’s not about our identities it’s about the
not about our identities it’s about the
not about our identities it’s about the places these V visit and the places that
places these V visit and the places that
places these V visit and the places that we go to
we go to
we go to what are these places well they are
what are these places well they are
what are these places well they are sites of dereliction on the edge and the
sites of dereliction on the edge and the
sites of dereliction on the edge and the periphery of a society in cities around
periphery of a society in cities around
periphery of a society in cities around Asia we’ve been to China Singapore Tokyo
Asia we’ve been to China Singapore Tokyo
Asia we’ve been to China Singapore Tokyo Japan Hong Kong mainly of course we
Japan Hong Kong mainly of course we
Japan Hong Kong mainly of course we called Hong Kong herbux and we’re
called Hong Kong herbux and we’re
called Hong Kong herbux and we’re fascinated by old heritage sites and
fascinated by old heritage sites and
fascinated by old heritage sites and because a city you know the way it
because a city you know the way it
because a city you know the way it should be built is like an ecosystem it
should be built is like an ecosystem it
should be built is like an ecosystem it needs to have a balance of the old and
needs to have a balance of the old and
needs to have a balance of the old and the new old heritage sites and new
the new old heritage sites and new
the new old heritage sites and new buildings and innovation as well we
buildings and innovation as well we
buildings and innovation as well we found that you know public spaces you
found that you know public spaces you
found that you know public spaces you know as you all know we all pay tax
know as you all know we all pay tax
know as you all know we all pay tax right and our tax payers money
right and our tax payers money
right and our tax payers money usually it’s bankrolled right to build
usually it’s bankrolled right to build
usually it’s bankrolled right to build sites and infrastructure that we don’t
sites and infrastructure that we don’t
sites and infrastructure that we don’t actually have a say in and we find this
actually have a say in and we find this
actually have a say in and we find this almost criminal you know because this
almost criminal you know because this
almost criminal you know because this money is also used to pull down old
money is also used to pull down old
money is also used to pull down old heritage sites with like hundreds of
heritage sites with like hundreds of
heritage sites with like hundreds of years of history and that’s wrong you
years of history and that’s wrong you
years of history and that’s wrong you know and this is why open exploration is
know and this is why open exploration is
know and this is why open exploration is important because we go to these sites
important because we go to these sites
important because we go to these sites and we document them now as ghost has
and we document them now as ghost has
and we document them now as ghost has just said over the past several years
just said over the past several years
just said over the past several years members of our group have travelled
members of our group have travelled
members of our group have travelled extensively across the asia-pacific
extensively across the asia-pacific
extensively across the asia-pacific region and looked at a variety of
region and looked at a variety of
region and looked at a variety of locations like military bases tunnels
locations like military bases tunnels
locations like military bases tunnels and abandoned schools
and abandoned schools
and abandoned schools it serves sorry urban exploration serves
it serves sorry urban exploration serves
it serves sorry urban exploration serves different functions in different
different functions in different
different functions in different contexts so of course there are
contexts so of course there are
contexts so of course there are different reasons why people do it chief
different reasons why people do it chief
different reasons why people do it chief among them being exploration and
among them being exploration and
among them being exploration and curiosity
curiosity
curiosity now I’d quickly like to mention that for
now I’d quickly like to mention that for
now I’d quickly like to mention that for us it is not we are not thrill seekers
us it is not we are not thrill seekers
us it is not we are not thrill seekers it is not an exercise in vanity it is an
it is not an exercise in vanity it is an
it is not an exercise in vanity it is an exercise in documentation having said
exercise in documentation having said
exercise in documentation having said that for me personally it is like a
that for me personally it is like a
that for me personally it is like a real-life video game for me it is
real-life video game for me it is
real-life video game for me it is escapism in an in a way it’s very
escapism in an in a way it’s very
escapism in an in a way it’s very surreal that I find myself in situations
surreal that I find myself in situations
surreal that I find myself in situations not too far removed in some of the video
not too far removed in some of the video
not too far removed in some of the video games I played as a kid and throughout
games I played as a kid and throughout
games I played as a kid and throughout our journeys and travels we’ve gained a
our journeys and travels we’ve gained a
our journeys and travels we’ve gained a deeper understanding of the nature of
deeper understanding of the nature of
deeper understanding of the nature of urban decay yes as he said we’re
urban decay yes as he said we’re
urban decay yes as he said we’re documentarians he’s a gamer and we have
documentarians he’s a gamer and we have
documentarians he’s a gamer and we have all kinds of labels to describe us
all kinds of labels to describe us
all kinds of labels to describe us historiography ethnographers geographers
historiography ethnographers geographers
historiography ethnographers geographers whatever you want to call us we are
whatever you want to call us we are
whatever you want to call us we are urban explorers and we do this to
urban explorers and we do this to
urban explorers and we do this to reclaim and re-appropriate the spaces in
reclaim and re-appropriate the spaces in
reclaim and re-appropriate the spaces in the city around us now what brings all
the city around us now what brings all
the city around us now what brings all these places together what ties all
these places together what ties all
these places together what ties all these abandoned places why is there so
these abandoned places why is there so
these abandoned places why is there so many well it’s all about growth and
many well it’s all about growth and
many well it’s all about growth and development like a butterfly coming out
development like a butterfly coming out
development like a butterfly coming out from a cocoon cities do need to progress
from a cocoon cities do need to progress
from a cocoon cities do need to progress they do need to transform and they do
they do need to transform and they do
they do need to transform and they do need to advance but they need to do that
need to advance but they need to do that
need to advance but they need to do that in a respectful manner that’s what we
in a respectful manner that’s what we
in a respectful manner that’s what we find they need to do it with a discourse
find they need to do it with a discourse
find they need to do it with a discourse with the community and the discussion
with the community and the discussion
with the community and the discussion with the community
with the community
with the community some examples of places that have not
some examples of places that have not
some examples of places that have not been so respectful in their development
been so respectful in their development
been so respectful in their development include Vietnam and Indonesia and China
include Vietnam and Indonesia and China
include Vietnam and Indonesia and China the Vietnam Vietnamese were colonized by
the Vietnam Vietnamese were colonized by
the Vietnam Vietnamese were colonized by the French as you guys hopefully know
the French as you guys hopefully know
the French as you guys hopefully know Indonesia was colonized by the Dutch and
Indonesia was colonized by the Dutch and
Indonesia was colonized by the Dutch and they their colonization was very
they their colonization was very
they their colonization was very violence so they associated that with
violence so they associated that with
violence so they associated that with negativity and they pulled down some
negativity and they pulled down some
negativity and they pulled down some gorgeous architectural heritage sites
gorgeous architectural heritage sites
gorgeous architectural heritage sites and they just pulled them down out of
and they just pulled them down out of
and they just pulled them down out of spite and built new low-rise buildings
spite and built new low-rise buildings
spite and built new low-rise buildings China of course as you along destroyed
China of course as you along destroyed
China of course as you along destroyed decades they wiped out history and
decades they wiped out history and
decades they wiped out history and heritage in the Cultural Revolution and
heritage in the Cultural Revolution and
heritage in the Cultural Revolution and so luckily Hong Kong and Singapore we
so luckily Hong Kong and Singapore we
so luckily Hong Kong and Singapore we have civil services and we have the rule
have civil services and we have the rule
have civil services and we have the rule of law so they haven’t been so violent
of law so they haven’t been so violent
of law so they haven’t been so violent in pulling down these sites nevertheless
in pulling down these sites nevertheless
in pulling down these sites nevertheless we have start to see an upsetting trend
we have start to see an upsetting trend
we have start to see an upsetting trend that because Hong Kong and Singapore are
that because Hong Kong and Singapore are
that because Hong Kong and Singapore are so starved for land they have started to
so starved for land they have started to
so starved for land they have started to attack these sites on the edge of
attack these sites on the edge of
attack these sites on the edge of society and pull them down which is a
society and pull them down which is a
society and pull them down which is a real shame and
real shame and
real shame and afternoon to see now Hong Kong for
afternoon to see now Hong Kong for
afternoon to see now Hong Kong for example is a city of extremes it has a
example is a city of extremes it has a
example is a city of extremes it has a population of around 7 million or just
population of around 7 million or just
population of around 7 million or just over 7 million packed into around 30
over 7 million packed into around 30
over 7 million packed into around 30 percent of the territory space it is one
percent of the territory space it is one
percent of the territory space it is one of the most densely populated cities in
of the most densely populated cities in
of the most densely populated cities in the world with one of the largest gaps
the world with one of the largest gaps
the world with one of the largest gaps between the rich and the poor and
between the rich and the poor and
between the rich and the poor and because of this we are seeing a housing
because of this we are seeing a housing
because of this we are seeing a housing crisis and apparent land shortage yeah
crisis and apparent land shortage yeah
crisis and apparent land shortage yeah but is this because of an actual that
but is this because of an actual that
but is this because of an actual that land actually not really I mean in hong
land actually not really I mean in hong
land actually not really I mean in hong kong that this is the example i’m giving
kong that this is the example i’m giving
kong that this is the example i’m giving most hong kong as he just said only 30
most hong kong as he just said only 30
most hong kong as he just said only 30 percent of land is developed in a city
percent of land is developed in a city
percent of land is developed in a city home to 7 million people now let that
home to 7 million people now let that
home to 7 million people now let that sink in for a second you know that’s
sink in for a second you know that’s
sink in for a second you know that’s like wow that’s just huge because it’s
like wow that’s just huge because it’s
like wow that’s just huge because it’s like we really we the public housing we
like we really we the public housing we
like we really we the public housing we have an issue of public housing crisis
have an issue of public housing crisis
have an issue of public housing crisis people need houses but they can’t find
people need houses but they can’t find
people need houses but they can’t find enough public housing and affordable
enough public housing and affordable
enough public housing and affordable housing at there because they are
housing at there because they are
housing at there because they are selling out to property developers i
selling out to property developers i
selling out to property developers i mean if you are a government and how
mean if you are a government and how
mean if you are a government and how would you find ways to house your public
would you find ways to house your public
would you find ways to house your public and the community who needed a for
and the community who needed a for
and the community who needed a for housing well you could look for sites in
housing well you could look for sites in
housing well you could look for sites in your possession empty lands and empty
your possession empty lands and empty
your possession empty lands and empty schools for example hong kong has over a
schools for example hong kong has over a
schools for example hong kong has over a hundred abandoned schools we’ve been in
hundred abandoned schools we’ve been in
hundred abandoned schools we’ve been in 200 we’re not talking small sites we’re
200 we’re not talking small sites we’re
200 we’re not talking small sites we’re talking big schools now why can’t they
talking big schools now why can’t they
talking big schools now why can’t they just create purpose these revitalize
just create purpose these revitalize
just create purpose these revitalize them and rejuvenate them to make way for
them and rejuvenate them to make way for
them and rejuvenate them to make way for maybe turn a school into an elderly home
maybe turn a school into an elderly home
maybe turn a school into an elderly home or maybe turn a school into knock it
or maybe turn a school into knock it
or maybe turn a school into knock it down and build a public housing
down and build a public housing
down and build a public housing affordable but instead what they’re
affordable but instead what they’re
affordable but instead what they’re doing is they’re acting like a business
doing is they’re acting like a business
doing is they’re acting like a business and colluding with property developers
and colluding with property developers
and colluding with property developers and i don’t blame them really because
and i don’t blame them really because
and i don’t blame them really because they’re earning billions of dollars but
they’re earning billions of dollars but
they’re earning billions of dollars but at their their their their their public
at their their their their their public
at their their their their their public are at risk because of this they are
are at risk because of this they are
are at risk because of this they are having to suffer sorry that’s what I’m
having to suffer sorry that’s what I’m
having to suffer sorry that’s what I’m trying to say they’re victims to this
trying to say they’re victims to this
trying to say they’re victims to this they’re having to suffer next slide
they’re having to suffer next slide
they’re having to suffer next slide please
please
please so usable land is so scarce in Hong Kong
so usable land is so scarce in Hong Kong
so usable land is so scarce in Hong Kong Hong Kong is on land hungry so is
Hong Kong is on land hungry so is
Hong Kong is on land hungry so is Singapore in a way and because the land
Singapore in a way and because the land
Singapore in a way and because the land is so high they sell these sites off to
is so high they sell these sites off to
is so high they sell these sites off to property developers and these
property developers and these
property developers and these monopolizing big real estate agents then
monopolizing big real estate agents then
monopolizing big real estate agents then build minuscule luxury housing
build minuscule luxury housing
build minuscule luxury housing developments and they maximize the space
developments and they maximize the space
developments and they maximize the space in them they’re like not bigger than
in them they’re like not bigger than
in them they’re like not bigger than this this stage for example and that’s
this this stage for example and that’s
this this stage for example and that’s almost criminal and then the people will
almost criminal and then the people will
almost criminal and then the people will buy these houses and then sell them off
buy these houses and then sell them off
buy these houses and then sell them off again for investment purposes so is the
again for investment purposes so is the
again for investment purposes so is the public
public
public a house in return are they other you
a house in return are they other you
a house in return are they other you solving the health public housing crisis
solving the health public housing crisis
solving the health public housing crisis no not really they’re just making a
no not really they’re just making a
no not really they’re just making a quick buck now in Hong Kong we have the
quick buck now in Hong Kong we have the
quick buck now in Hong Kong we have the antiquities and monuments office in the
antiquities and monuments office in the
antiquities and monuments office in the urban renewal Authority both of these
urban renewal Authority both of these
urban renewal Authority both of these bodies don’t have the largest amount of
bodies don’t have the largest amount of
bodies don’t have the largest amount of power but are still funded by the
power but are still funded by the
power but are still funded by the government anyway in the past few years
government anyway in the past few years
government anyway in the past few years we’ve lost quite a few different type of
we’ve lost quite a few different type of
we’ve lost quite a few different type of locations such as Barret barracks
locations such as Barret barracks
locations such as Barret barracks historical mansions and in particular
historical mansions and in particular
historical mansions and in particular the white house which was a prison used
the white house which was a prison used
the white house which was a prison used by the British in the Second World War
by the British in the Second World War
by the British in the Second World War all of these locations have been removed
all of these locations have been removed
all of these locations have been removed to make way for schools and luxury
to make way for schools and luxury
to make way for schools and luxury houses which again turn a profit for
houses which again turn a profit for
houses which again turn a profit for real-estate developers so in essence it
real-estate developers so in essence it
real-estate developers so in essence it means that on some level Hong Kong is
means that on some level Hong Kong is
means that on some level Hong Kong is slowly losing its identity Hong Kong is
slowly losing its identity Hong Kong is
slowly losing its identity Hong Kong is becoming less Hong Kong in a sense that
becoming less Hong Kong in a sense that
becoming less Hong Kong in a sense that the things that make it unique
the things that make it unique
the things that make it unique relinquished the conglomerates who raise
relinquished the conglomerates who raise
relinquished the conglomerates who raise rent and remove heritage yes and now
rent and remove heritage yes and now
rent and remove heritage yes and now here is a small video to introduce some
here is a small video to introduce some
here is a small video to introduce some of our exploits in Singapore
I hope you enjoyed that we put it
I hope you enjoyed that we put it together instance in like under an hour
together instance in like under an hour
together instance in like under an hour to prepare for this talk but as you saw
to prepare for this talk but as you saw
to prepare for this talk but as you saw we climbed this was about a year ago
we climbed this was about a year ago
we climbed this was about a year ago when when I went there and we climbed
when when I went there and we climbed
when when I went there and we climbed like a hundred meters underground and
like a hundred meters underground and
like a hundred meters underground and that’s pretty crazy I mean if you think
that’s pretty crazy I mean if you think
that’s pretty crazy I mean if you think about it and why what pushes me to do
about it and why what pushes me to do
about it and why what pushes me to do this what’s my motivation for this well
this what’s my motivation for this well
this what’s my motivation for this well it’s slightly the adrenaline rush but
it’s slightly the adrenaline rush but
it’s slightly the adrenaline rush but for me it’s like I’m using all my senses
for me it’s like I’m using all my senses
for me it’s like I’m using all my senses when I go into these places it’s very
when I go into these places it’s very
when I go into these places it’s very dangerous of course I wouldn’t recommend
dangerous of course I wouldn’t recommend
dangerous of course I wouldn’t recommend you guys to do it
you guys to do it
you guys to do it disclaimer but basically it’s really not
disclaimer but basically it’s really not
disclaimer but basically it’s really not safe and I enjoy that being out of
safe and I enjoy that being out of
safe and I enjoy that being out of control because you’re using your sight
control because you’re using your sight
control because you’re using your sight your sense of smell your hearing to see
your sense of smell your hearing to see
your sense of smell your hearing to see bats and stuff like that all around you
bats and stuff like that all around you
bats and stuff like that all around you its pitch black we have to take our own
its pitch black we have to take our own
its pitch black we have to take our own lights and stuff like that and it’s it’s
lights and stuff like that and it’s it’s
lights and stuff like that and it’s it’s it’s scary because like you know you can
it’s scary because like you know you can
it’s scary because like you know you can feel the force of history around you
feel the force of history around you
feel the force of history around you these places are like living history and
these places are like living history and
these places are like living history and Singapore has plenty of other sights
Singapore has plenty of other sights
Singapore has plenty of other sights like this and some have been destroyed
like this and some have been destroyed
like this and some have been destroyed these are some of the fatalities we’ve
these are some of the fatalities we’ve
these are some of the fatalities we’ve seen we’ve had the Ellison building
seen we’ve had the Ellison building
seen we’ve had the Ellison building which had a highway put through it so
which had a highway put through it so
which had a highway put through it so half of it was demolished and you’re
half of it was demolished and you’re
half of it was demolished and you’re talking like hundreds of decades of
talking like hundreds of decades of
talking like hundreds of decades of history and heritage lost for a few
history and heritage lost for a few
history and heritage lost for a few minutes of convenience it’s pretty sad
minutes of convenience it’s pretty sad
minutes of convenience it’s pretty sad then we had the closure of the song Hey
then we had the closure of the song Hey
then we had the closure of the song Hey 1930s flea market and the roadshow
1930s flea market and the roadshow
1930s flea market and the roadshow Center both which were like living hubs
Center both which were like living hubs
Center both which were like living hubs of community and heritage and
of community and heritage and
of community and heritage and nevertheless sync warnings are starting
nevertheless sync warnings are starting
nevertheless sync warnings are starting to grow increasingly aware of heritage
to grow increasingly aware of heritage
to grow increasingly aware of heritage preservation for example in the Bukit
preservation for example in the Bukit
preservation for example in the Bukit Brown Cemetery some campaigners and
Brown Cemetery some campaigners and
Brown Cemetery some campaigners and protesters fought to get the number of
protesters fought to get the number of
protesters fought to get the number of graves demolished from down from five
graves demolished from down from five
graves demolished from down from five thousand to three thousand seven hundred
thousand to three thousand seven hundred
thousand to three thousand seven hundred and that’s kind of a happy ending they
and that’s kind of a happy ending they
and that’s kind of a happy ending they also catalogued all the graves all five
also catalogued all the graves all five
also catalogued all the graves all five thousand graves before demolishing them
thousand graves before demolishing them
thousand graves before demolishing them this sadly didn’t happen in Orchard Road
this sadly didn’t happen in Orchard Road
this sadly didn’t happen in Orchard Road which is built on the site will form a
which is built on the site will form a
which is built on the site will form a graveyard and I think Singapore needs to
graveyard and I think Singapore needs to
graveyard and I think Singapore needs to learn from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia they
learn from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia they
learn from Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia they turn their graveyards into heritage
turn their graveyards into heritage
turn their graveyards into heritage sites and parks that people can explore
sites and parks that people can explore
sites and parks that people can explore now funnily enough something similar is
now funnily enough something similar is
now funnily enough something similar is happening in Hong Kong where it is
happening in Hong Kong where it is
happening in Hong Kong where it is statistically more expensive to house
statistically more expensive to house
statistically more expensive to house the dead than it is to house the living
the dead than it is to house the living
the dead than it is to house the living so you essentially you’ve got the
so you essentially you’ve got the
so you essentially you’ve got the situation where it’s become like a
situation where it’s become like a
situation where it’s become like a lottery so in some circumstances the
lottery so in some circumstances the
lottery so in some circumstances the Hong Kong government has ordered that
Hong Kong government has ordered that
Hong Kong government has ordered that the remains of the Dead be
the remains of the Dead be
the remains of the Dead be exhumed and cremated after a succeed
exhumed and cremated after a succeed
exhumed and cremated after a succeed theory to make way for newcomers failure
theory to make way for newcomers failure
theory to make way for newcomers failure to do so will result in the government
to do so will result in the government
to do so will result in the government undertaking exactly these actions then
undertaking exactly these actions then
undertaking exactly these actions then placing said remains in a mass nameless
placing said remains in a mass nameless
placing said remains in a mass nameless communal grave pretty sad so he
communal grave pretty sad so he
communal grave pretty sad so he mentioned the urban renewal authority
mentioned the urban renewal authority
mentioned the urban renewal authority that’s one authority in Hong Kong with
that’s one authority in Hong Kong with
that’s one authority in Hong Kong with Singapore also has the same body every
Singapore also has the same body every
Singapore also has the same body every new authority here but they are slightly
new authority here but they are slightly
new authority here but they are slightly more powerful and slightly more strong
more powerful and slightly more strong
more powerful and slightly more strong and they take extra steps to protect
and they take extra steps to protect
and they take extra steps to protect heritage they’ve been working with the
heritage they’ve been working with the
heritage they’ve been working with the National Heritage Board and the Land
National Heritage Board and the Land
National Heritage Board and the Land Transport Authority to effectively save
Transport Authority to effectively save
Transport Authority to effectively save some sites they’ve been quite successful
some sites they’ve been quite successful
some sites they’ve been quite successful in doing this now some of these heavy
in doing this now some of these heavy
in doing this now some of these heavy stories include the term drunk pagar
stories include the term drunk pagar
stories include the term drunk pagar railway station with his preservation of
railway station with his preservation of
railway station with his preservation of the canopies the National Gallery which
the canopies the National Gallery which
the canopies the National Gallery which sits upon the old spot of the old
sits upon the old spot of the old
sits upon the old spot of the old Supreme Court law and by Dempsey at
Supreme Court law and by Dempsey at
Supreme Court law and by Dempsey at Dempsey Hill which was a former army
Dempsey Hill which was a former army
Dempsey Hill which was a former army barracks now turned into a hip weekend
barracks now turned into a hip weekend
barracks now turned into a hip weekend destination and as you saw on the video
destination and as you saw on the video
destination and as you saw on the video before with syrup on Fort here on
before with syrup on Fort here on
before with syrup on Fort here on sentosa island which has now been turned
sentosa island which has now been turned
sentosa island which has now been turned into a resort so some good stories some
into a resort so some good stories some
into a resort so some good stories some happy endings there are some
happy endings there are some
happy endings there are some similarities that tie these two economic
similarities that tie these two economic
similarities that tie these two economic rivals Hong Kong and Singapore together
rivals Hong Kong and Singapore together
rivals Hong Kong and Singapore together they were both former jewels of the
they were both former jewels of the
they were both former jewels of the British Empire
British Empire
British Empire they are both rife with densification
they are both rife with densification
they are both rife with densification Hong Kong is probably more prouder than
Hong Kong is probably more prouder than
Hong Kong is probably more prouder than Singapore but still they are also both
Singapore but still they are also both
Singapore but still they are also both shaped by the grand forces of history
shaped by the grand forces of history
shaped by the grand forces of history now during the Second World War
now during the Second World War
now during the Second World War both of these CDs fell very quickly to
both of these CDs fell very quickly to
both of these CDs fell very quickly to the Japanese due to poor strategic
the Japanese due to poor strategic
the Japanese due to poor strategic planning and resources after the war
planning and resources after the war
planning and resources after the war however the powers of the two cities
however the powers of the two cities
however the powers of the two cities daveigh diverged greatly with Singapore
daveigh diverged greatly with Singapore
daveigh diverged greatly with Singapore campaigning for greater autonomy in
campaigning for greater autonomy in
campaigning for greater autonomy in receiving self-governance in 1957 before
receiving self-governance in 1957 before
receiving self-governance in 1957 before its establishment as a republic in 1965
its establishment as a republic in 1965
its establishment as a republic in 1965 as you know Hong Kong remained under de
as you know Hong Kong remained under de
as you know Hong Kong remained under de facto British rule until 1997 and with
facto British rule until 1997 and with
facto British rule until 1997 and with the handover back to China we’re
the handover back to China we’re
the handover back to China we’re starting to see more changes as hong
starting to see more changes as hong
starting to see more changes as hong kong is being further assimilated into
kong is being further assimilated into
kong is being further assimilated into the mainland basically gentrification is
the mainland basically gentrification is
the mainland basically gentrification is not necessarily a negative thing this is
not necessarily a negative thing this is
not necessarily a negative thing this is what we’re trying to say this is the
what we’re trying to say this is the
what we’re trying to say this is the takeaway today if it’s done right and
takeaway today if it’s done right and
takeaway today if it’s done right and respectfully with a discussion with the
respectfully with a discussion with the
respectfully with a discussion with the community and all parties and groups are
community and all parties and groups are
community and all parties and groups are involved it can be good
involved it can be good
involved it can be good basically developers in the government
basically developers in the government
basically developers in the government need to take the lifestyle of diverse
need to take the lifestyle of diverse
need to take the lifestyle of diverse groups and cultures and different people
groups and cultures and different people
groups and cultures and different people in different classes into account when
in different classes into account when
in different classes into account when they truly
they truly
they truly to truly build a vibrant neighborhood
to truly build a vibrant neighborhood
to truly build a vibrant neighborhood and Singapore is starting to do this
and Singapore is starting to do this
and Singapore is starting to do this slowly and they’re doing better and Hong
slowly and they’re doing better and Hong
slowly and they’re doing better and Hong Kong needs to learn from them when
Kong needs to learn from them when
Kong needs to learn from them when they’re having these discourses
they’re having these discourses
they’re having these discourses basically it all needs to be done
basically it all needs to be done
basically it all needs to be done respectfully if there’s one major thing
respectfully if there’s one major thing
respectfully if there’s one major thing you take away from the things that we’ve
you take away from the things that we’ve
you take away from the things that we’ve talked about today is that in some
talked about today is that in some
talked about today is that in some circumstances there is value in trespass
circumstances there is value in trespass
circumstances there is value in trespass as it can lead to public discourse
as it can lead to public discourse
as it can lead to public discourse especially with the exploration of these
especially with the exploration of these
especially with the exploration of these time capsules yes and I urge you to all
time capsules yes and I urge you to all
time capsules yes and I urge you to all explore your surroundings a little bit
explore your surroundings a little bit
explore your surroundings a little bit more I’m not telling you exactly to
more I’m not telling you exactly to
more I’m not telling you exactly to trespass I don’t want you I don’t want
trespass I don’t want you I don’t want
trespass I don’t want you I don’t want to get done for aiding and abetting I’ve
to get done for aiding and abetting I’ve
to get done for aiding and abetting I’ve got a camera here as you can see so
got a camera here as you can see so
got a camera here as you can see so don’t do anything naughty but do explore
don’t do anything naughty but do explore
don’t do anything naughty but do explore your surroundings a little bit more
your surroundings a little bit more
your surroundings a little bit more because I would like to end with a
because I would like to end with a
because I would like to end with a question could you all please imagine
question could you all please imagine
question could you all please imagine and picture for me if you will something
and picture for me if you will something
and picture for me if you will something in your possession or something of high
in your possession or something of high
in your possession or something of high value to you whether this be a piece of
value to you whether this be a piece of
value to you whether this be a piece of jewelry necklace a photograph and an old
jewelry necklace a photograph and an old
jewelry necklace a photograph and an old trinket from your grandfather or even
trinket from your grandfather or even
trinket from your grandfather or even your finger what if someone came along
your finger what if someone came along
your finger what if someone came along and cut off your finger not cool right
and cut off your finger not cool right
and cut off your finger not cool right what if someone came along without prior
what if someone came along without prior
what if someone came along without prior consent and took something that belonged
consent and took something that belonged
consent and took something that belonged to you not cool right basically this is
to you not cool right basically this is
to you not cool right basically this is what is happening in these societies in
what is happening in these societies in
what is happening in these societies in places like Hong Kong and China and
places like Hong Kong and China and
places like Hong Kong and China and Singapore and they see when when they do
Singapore and they see when when they do
Singapore and they see when when they do that they are disrupting the collective
that they are disrupting the collective
that they are disrupting the collective consciousness that the city is eroding
consciousness that the city is eroding
consciousness that the city is eroding in front of us because we need to do
in front of us because we need to do
in front of us because we need to do more to save these buildings of heritage
more to save these buildings of heritage
more to save these buildings of heritage granted not every old building should be
granted not every old building should be
granted not every old building should be kept and preserved I agree with that and
kept and preserved I agree with that and
kept and preserved I agree with that and there needs to be some form of
there needs to be some form of
there needs to be some form of innovation and infrastructure
innovation and infrastructure
innovation and infrastructure development in cities as the populations
development in cities as the populations
development in cities as the populations grow but a balance needs to be striped
grow but a balance needs to be striped
grow but a balance needs to be striped so when you’re exploring or walking
so when you’re exploring or walking
so when you’re exploring or walking around your neighborhood next time I
around your neighborhood next time I
around your neighborhood next time I urge you to think about that old
urge you to think about that old
urge you to think about that old building over there think about that old
building over there think about that old
building over there think about that old car and just think about how it came to
car and just think about how it came to
car and just think about how it came to be and ask questions to yourself about
be and ask questions to yourself about
be and ask questions to yourself about it because if you do that you’ll learn
it because if you do that you’ll learn
it because if you do that you’ll learn more about your surroundings and your
more about your surroundings and your
more about your surroundings and your environments and you’ll learn more about
environments and you’ll learn more about
environments and you’ll learn more about yourselves in the process we’ve been a
yourselves in the process we’ve been a
yourselves in the process we’ve been a cherubic thank you
cherubic thank you
cherubic thank you [Applause]
”
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