Macau and Zhuhai Blue Seashore – Conceptual Proposal
Part 1: Sociology and Architecture: The Inter-formation

Authors: Ho Hon Leung, Raymond Lau, Carlos Wong

Type: Proceeding
Event: The Fourth Symposium on Sustainable Development: Cooperation among Hong Kong, Macau, and Guangdong, 2008.

Abstract:
This paper is to construct a theoretical framework which will be used to inform and support the conceptualization of Macau and Zhuhai Blue Seashore Project. The vision in the proposal is derived from a wide range of social and architectural theories and empirical research. This paper discusses the inter-formative relation between ethnic identity and architecture. Although ethnic identity in the realm of sociology and architecture are seemingly different disciplines, they share one inter-formative component: land. Many theories of ethnic identity formation stress the importance of territory and homeland, while architecture is built and is to build on a piece of land. What an ethnic group builds signifies the progression of its essentiality at different (developmental / historical) phases. Yet what has been built and is going to be built also shape the ways an ethnic group to perceive who they are. Such theoretical observation is constructed upon literature review and several case studies (Leung and Lau) on Canada, US, Greece and Hong Kong. We argue in terms of practice of architecture, the proposed built forms do not stand alone and is not self referential, and must be more receptive to the social conditions of a place where a group or an ethnic group live. At the same time the scholars and professionals who examine these social conditions cannot ignore the key contribution from architecture and architectural built environment. Therefore such inter-formative relationship between sociology and architecture can serve several purposes in terms of practice: as a guide to examine the historical development of a place / city, to inform policy making and decision for future sustainable development of a place / city, and to conceive proposed plan for future architecture and architectural built environment.