Experiential Learning Opportunities in flower market with Hong Kong Council of Social Service

The flower market is one of the cultural and historical landmarks in Kowloon, an area where buildings of historical value are scattered. With the recent soft launch of “GOODPOINT” – a revitalized building housing multiple social enterprises managed by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service – HSBS Social Enterprise Business Centre, several experiential learning opportunities related to this interesting neighourhood are opened to the HKU community.

Potential for collaboration with “GOODPOINT” can be multi-disciplinary. Located in the prime area of Flower Market, GOODPOINT is a 4-storey integrated modern heritage complex listed as grade II historic building established in 1932. This building became one of the renewal projects under Heritage Preservation and Revitalization Scheme carried out by the Urban Renewal Authority and managed by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service. Dominated with classical French architecture design, the building carried Art Deco architectural elements, preserving the unique French architecture style that offers distinctive modern interior design. It was the first generation of concrete steel building acclaimed as “Modern Apartment” which was welcomed by the then lower middle class.

GOODPOINT No. 202 Prince Edward Road at flower market

The Hong Kong Council of Social Service revitalized this historic building into GOODPOINT, a lifestyle hub adopting community-based model which is operated by social enterprises and community organizations serving multiple functions of local commodity, art exhibition, interest class for seniors and veggie café that serve to develop community interests and synergize social resources. All these social enterprises in the building are open to work with new ideas of cooperation and operation.

The other potential experiential learning opportunity is the exploration and research of the cultural history of the flower market. The ‘Flower market street’ is one of the most popular ‘theme streets’ in the district, along with the ‘bird street’, ‘sneakers street’, ‘golden fish street’, and ‘ladies street’ in Mongkok neighbourhood. These theme streets and marketplaces showcase the authentic local lifestyle of Hong Kong, which also attracts a number of artists and cultural organizations to congregate and collaborate. In the flower market community, one can even find the production houses and studios of Mr. John Woo (吳宇森) and Mr. Fruit Chan Kuo (陳果), the world famous film directors.

According to Eureka Tuet, manager of Hong Kong Council of Social Service, flower market has always been an important landmark in Hong Kong. As a newcomer in this area, the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, is particularly interested in promoting and exploring the history of this unique community, where the merging of East and West, the interaction between urban and rural, the development of community economy and the transformation of civil life are witnessed. Currently, there are volunteers collecting information about the oral history in the area. They are open to facilitate the experiential learning opportunities with the HKU community in this aspect. An official launch of the building “GOODPOINT” is scheduled in January 2015. For details and update of the project, please contact Gallant Ho Experiential Learning Centre or check out on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/goodpoint204.

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