Location! Location! Location! Can movies drive heritage tourism in Hong Kong?

<p>This dissertation analyzes the connection between heritage conservation and community involvement in the Central District of Hong Kong. It discusses whether the concept of a Boundaryless Museum can mediate between the processes of urban regeneration and cultural heritage. Central, one of the most historically significant locations, where colonial architecture is paired with modern urban design, is chosen as a study to learn how heritage conservation might become more inclusive and socially relevant. The study sheds light on the conflict between the top-down heritage management policies with the monumental preservation at the center and the necessity of the bottom-up conservation that considers the local stories and traditions. Through qualitative research design such as semi-structured interviews, field observations, and the paper looks at the perceptions of various stakeholders: residents, tourists, heritage property operator, and community activists. The results show that the difference between generations and cultural occurs in the perception of heritage, where the older citizens are strongly bonded to the traditional cultural practices, and younger generations are more interested in modern urban life. The ideas of the Boundaryless Museum, to make heritage an everyday part of our cities and to make more spaces more participatory and community-oriented, are appreciated even by the residents, not just tourists. Nonetheless, institutional, ineffective communication and insufficient collaboration of stakeholders challenge its effective implementation. The research proposal promotes the implementation of less controlling and exclusive heritage preservation procedures, wherein it is recommended that policy changes to enable the local communities to take an active interest in safeguarding their cultural heritage. The thesis helps develop the emerging discussion of sustainable heritage conservation by proposing the Boundaryless Museum as a dynamic and evolving model that would maintain physical spaces and enhance attachment to a fast-evolving city's urban heritage.</p>