Media

HKU weekly notice (from Dec 15 to Dec 21, 2012)

14 Dec 2012

 

HKU Landscape Architecture Exhibition at Tsuen Wan Sam Tung Uk Museum
In Hong Kong, most people understand "real estates" as the transction of apartments and houses, and the sky-rocketed prices of purchasing tiny little flats are the most common conversations among Hong Kong citizens. However, the core meaning of "Real estates" originated with the meaning of any property related to the land, including all natural resources and potential yields that the land could produce. It is highly related to the environment as well as the productivity of the landscape surrounding us.

This exhibition by the Division of Landscape Architecture of the University of Hong Kong (HKU) intends to represent Tsuen Wan’s and Kwai Tsing’s "real estates" to its original meaning, and to explain how, in fact, the significant roles that landscape play in forming, deriving, and allowing the emergence of the local culture, industry, and vibrant citylife that the Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing District now has.

It takes on the district‘s zoning characterisitcs of "City｜Villages｜Countryside". The story of landscape in "City" celebrates the vast network and close proximity to various typologies of landscape spaces the district has, and explains "Urban Landscape" as an crucial component in shaping a healthy city lifestyle. The story of landscape in "Villages" explains the emergence of local culture based on village-style-living. Then the story of landscape in "Countryside" explores the vast and abundant natural resource the district has, which explains why earlier settlers saw this "Productive Landscape" as an asset to make a living and decided to stay.

The exhibits will be shown at the Sam Tung Uk Museum in Tsuen Wan from December 15, 2012 to March 3, 2013. Ms Vincci Mak, Head of the team and Assistant Professor at Division of Landscape Architecture will lead a guided tour on December 15 (Saturday) after exhibition opening to explain the design concept and share her views on the district’s development including environmental conservation, use of green and open space, and preservation of cultural landscape. Details are as follows:

Date: December 15, 2012 (Saturday)
Time: 4:35pm (after the opening performance)
Venue: Sam Tung Uk Museum 2 Kwu Uk Lane, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong

For details of the "TKT Land Production" Exhibition, please visit:
http://huluhk.org/had2012/

For media enquiries, please contact Ms Vincci Mak, Assistant Professor at Division of Landscape Architecture, email: wsvmak@hku.hk, tel: 2241 5654; or Ms Melanie Wan (Manager (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2859 2600 email: melwkwan@hku.hk.

Children's Rights: Why Hong Kong Needs a Children's Commission Now
by Grenville Cross, SC
Although the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child applies to Hong Kong, its corollary, an independent children's commission, has yet to be established. Many countries already have a children's commission, and the case for a dedicated body to promote the welfare of children and to advance their rights is compelling. Children are the most vulnerable members of society, yet the lives of many are blighted by poverty, by social injustice and by inadequate opportunities, which is intolerable in an affluent society. A fair start in life is the right of every child, and the children's commission will have its work cut out for it from day one. Action is long overdue, and the forthcoming policy address must prioritise the interests of children and give them the voice they need.

I Grenville Cross SBS, QC, SC is the Vice-Chairman of the Senate of the International Association of Prosecutors, and served as Director of Public Prosecutions of Hong Kong, China, from 1997 to 2009.

Date: December, 17 2012 (Monday)
Time: 12:30 - 1:30 pm
Venue: Academic Conference Room, 11/F Cheng Yu Tung Tower, Centennial Campus, HKU

For reservation of seats and enquiries, please contact Flora Leung by email at fkleung@hku.hk  or by phone at 3917 2941.