Tai Kwun Conversations: UNESCO Series – Innovations in Urban Heritage

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Presented by Tai Kwun in collaboration with UNESCO Asia and Pacific Regional Bureau for Education (UNESCO Bangkok), this series of conversations explores innovative strategies for integrating urban heritage into the wider goals of sustainable development. With a regional focus on Asia and the Pacific, it aims to inspire local actions and creative solutions as the catalysts for implementing the Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. (Free admission; exclusive to Tai Kwun Fans)

Tai Kwun Conversations UNESCO series:

4 July 2022
Urban recovery through culture, arts and creativity

With a keynote speech on UNESCO’s Historic Urban Landscape (HUL) Recommendation, this Tai Kwun Conversations begins with a holistic vision and strategies for urban revitalisation. It explores the role of creativity and the arts in revitalising cities and public spaces, highlighting the power of culture as a transformative driver for sustainable development.

Moderator:
Desmond Hui, Professor and Head, Department of Art and Design, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong

Speakers:
Jyoti Hosagrahar, Deputy Director, UNESCO World Heritage Centre (keynote speaker)
Edman Choy, Hong Kong Studio Director, Herzog & de Meuron

Commentary:
Xin Gu, Senior Lecturer, School of Media Film and Journalism, Monash University

1 August 2022
Urban sustainability and resilience through nature and culture

To tackle climate change and disaster risk mitigation, the second Tai Kwun Conversations in the UNESCO Series explores green recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crisis, blue-green infrastructure and economies, and nature-based solutions for urban resilience.

Moderator:
Mee Kam Ng, Vice-chairman of the Department of Geography and Resource Management, Director of the Urban Studies Programme, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Speakers:
Christine Loh, Chief Development Strategist, Institute for the Environment, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, former Under Secretary for the Environment in the HKSAR Government (2012-2017)
Kotchakorn Voraakhom, Chairwoman of the Climate Change Working Group of the International Federation of Landscape Architects (IFLA World); CEO and Founder of Landprocess and Porous City Network

Commentary:
Wendy C. Atieno, Programme Officer, Ecosystem-based Adaptation, International Union for Conservation of Nature

5 September 2022
Heritage, power and gender in cities

The final Tai Kwun Conversations in the UNESCO Series considers gender roles, social mores, power relations, and the impact on urban inclusion or exclusion and social mobility or immobility. Speakers share their views on rewriting heritage narratives and reimagining an inclusive urban community that represents a multiplicity of identities.

Moderator:
Sealing Cheng, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Speakers:
Roslyn Russell, Director, Roslyn Russell Museum Services; Chair, UNESCO Australian Memory of the World Committee
Chantal Wong, Co-founder of Learning Together, Women’s Festival, and Things That Can Happen (2014-2017)