St Jame's Settlement

St. James’ Settlement is pleased that "Viva Blue House" Project won the Award of Excellence in the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation 2017. The project is also considered as a pioneer in Hong Kong, receiving the highest level of achievement from UNESCO for the very first time. The awarding ceremony launched at Ming Hua Hall in the headquarters of St. James’ Settlement today, and was attended by more than 300 guests.
 
The ceremony has been officiated by HKSAR Chief Executive the Hon. Carrie Lam; Secretary for Development the Hon. Michael Wong; Chief of Culture Unit and Chair of Jury for Heritage Awards, UNESCO Bangkok, Dr. Duong Bich Hanh; Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Built Heritage Conservation Dr. Lau Chi-pang; the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Executive Director, Charities and Community, Leong Cheung; Chairman of the Executive Committee of St. James’ Settlement Dr. the Hon. Sir David Li; Chairman of the "Viva Blue House" Steering Committee Christopher Law; Chairman of the Heritage Hong Kong Foundation Limited Margaret Brooke and the representative of the Blue House Resident Group Xuan Simie.
 
The Blue House Cluster - three 20th to 50th century tenement blocks in Wan Chai (Blue House, Yellow House, Orange House) are located in Stone Nullah Lane, King Sing Street and Hing Wan Street representatively. In 2006, the Hong Kong Government announced a redevelopment plan of the Blue House Cluster, and intended to redevelop it as a tourist spot. Under the cross-aspects involvement made by Wan Chai residents, St. James’ Settlement, Community Cultural Concern, Heritage Hong Kong Foundation Limited and experts, "Viva Blue House" Project was finally approved to implement under the mission on "retention of both the residents and the buildings". Until last year, the revitalization of the Blue House Cluster has been officially finished. Not only revitalizing the old buildings, the project also aims at preserving the residents and the community network, hoping that it can improve the residents’ living quality, and meanwhile lead as a role model to other old district reconstruction projects.
 
"Viva Blue House" Project carries a style of tenement co-living forward, and has introduced"Good Neighbors Scheme" and two social enterprises – "Local Ginger Veggie Bistro" and "Dessert House", giving vitality to the property as well as providing a platform for the community to practice sharing economy, so as to create a mutual help and sharing community.
 
Chief Executive the Hon. Carrie Lam said "Viva Blue House" has been an unique conservation project which preserves both the buildings and the community network. On the one hand, it preserves the historical buildings, on another hand, the existing residents remain living in the units. She hopes that this human kindness shown in the project would be retained in Hong Kong, even the buildings become more modern in the future.
                                                
Chief of Culture Unit and Chair of Jury for Heritage Awards, UNESCO Bangkok, Dr. Duong Bich Hanh described the Blue House Cluster as the unprecedented civic effort to protect marginalised local heritage in one of the world’s most high-pressure real estate markets. It is an inspiration for other embattled urban districts in the region and beyond.
 
For the successful launch of "Viva Blue House" Project, Chairman of the Executive Committee of St. James’ Settlement Dr. the Hon. Sir David Li thanked for the supports from the Development Bureau and different sectors of the community in these 10 years. He encouraged the public to share their time, skills and experience to benefit both themselves and others and, by doing so, to conserve a community way of living that is relevant to and valued by future generations. At the same, the project can revitalise community relationships and networks and develop a community-oriented mutual and sustainable economy.
 
"Viva Blue House" Revitalisation Project not only includes the existing resident housing and engagement units, but also contains the following units that are open to the public: Hong Kong House of Stories, "Local Ginger Veggie Bistro", "Dessert House" and C.O.M.E. Hall. For details, please visit the website vivabluehouse.hk.