RETURN TO LIST

Pottinger Street
砵甸乍街 (石板街)

1845, Streetscapes, Landscapes & Infrastructural Facilities 街貌、景觀及基礎建設

Pottinger Street
香港中環砵甸乍街

Many have a love-hate relationship with Stone Slabs Street. Ladies in heels in particular know well to be extra cautious with their steps when walking on the uneven granite slope blocks. Actress Kelly Lin, in the movie Sparrow, might be the only person who could run along Stone Slabs Street in 4-inche high heels at ease. The unique stone slab nonetheless is the main reason why the street is such a charming and memorable place. The road is so bumpy that it pressures all rushing pedestrians to slow down and enjoy this laid-back neighbourhood, every texture on this historic street and every green tin hawker stall that tells a living story of locals. Since its completion in 1845 and naming in 1848, its official name “Pottinger Street” has been long forgotten, along with the knowledge about Pottinger himself.

石板街,可能是一個令人又愛又恨的地方。以凹凸花崗石塊砌成的斜路,尤其令穿高跟鞋的女士們步步為營。可能只有電影裏的林熙蕾,穿四吋高跟鞋在石板街上逃跑仍可全身而退(見電影「文雀」)。但也因為那與眾不同、極具性格的老石板,像個愛耍性子的活寶,叫人鍾愛。而且,也許就只它的崎嶇不平,能令步伐急速的香港人不得不放慢腳步,趁機呼吸一下漫活的空氣、細味這小街的紋理、發掘沿街綠色鐡皮小檔鋪載着的人情味。自1845年建成、1848年命名以來,又有多少人知道石板街的正名其實是「砵甸乍街」?又或者,現在還有多少人知道誰是砵甸乍?

文及攝影:洪彬芬 (香港註冊建築師)

http://www.etnet.com.hk/www/tc/diva/art_hkac_detail.php?id=29036&page=4





RETURN TO LIST