OBSERVATION: Like many cities throughout the world, much of the urban architectural grafitti in Hong Kong is relegated to dark alleys and other areas out of public sight. Older buildings in certain districts, including Soho in the Mid-Levels and Wong Chuk Hang, have selectively embraced tasteful architectural grafitti with mixed success.
SOLUTION: Could building owners in select districts undergoing gentrification be incentivized to allow architectural graffiti as a part of a focused scheme to establish new creative and artistic hubs throughout the city, and drive tourism into those areas?
Global cities including New York City (USA), Bruges (Belgium), Valparaiso (Chile), and many others have provided much-needed architectural canvases for established and aspiring graffiti and mural artists. In many instances, these stunning works of public art have completely transformed dilapidated neighborhoods into new vibrant communities and reflected their unique history.
Hong Kong has isolated pockets of interesting architectural graffiti, but could these pockets be expanded within these same districts, or proposed in other ailing districts in a rejuvenation program to increase tourism and to promote Hong Kong’s creative and artistic scene? Could the local district councils spearhead efforts in their own neighborhoods? Could a neighborhood’s unique history be expressed in this form of public art before it is lost in the mists of time?
