City Gallery reopens after renovation

The City Gallery is the first planning and infrastructure gallery in Hong Kong. Resuming full operation last month after partial renovation, the gallery now houses a number of new interactive games and selfie spots. In this post, I have invited a colleague from the Planning Department (PlanD) to brief us on the new items and facilities. Moreover, a colleague from the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD) will share with us about a thematic exhibition staged by the department in the gallery.

New interactive and fun elements

Hong Kong is developing rapidly. To keep up with the pace, the City Gallery has replaced various exhibits and facilities on the G/F, 3/F and 4/F with more interactive and fun elements. Ms CHAN Hau-yin, Margaret, Chief Town Planner (Atg.) of the PlanD, says that the visitors’ refreshing experience starts right at the moment they step into the gallery, as the “Planning Eye” next to the reception counter will take them on an amazing journey to explore the challenges and opportunities faced by Hong Kong in the course of city development, and display our planning vision through the interactive videos shown on the eyeball-shaped LED and 3D geographic model of Hong Kong combined with audiovisual effect. The models are made with great precision in every detail. The aircrafts and vessels projected go along the actual flight paths and fairways.

Development experiences of different cities

Near the “Planning Eye” are the new interactive exhibits “City Impression” and “Great World Cities”. With the touch screens, visitors can compare Hong Kong with other cities in terms of urban form, population density and their skyscrapers, and learn about the good practice of some cities in achieving sustainable development goals, e.g. the Cheonggyecheon Stream in Seoul, South Korea; the “SMART Tunnel” (Stormwater Management and Road Tunnel) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the experience in zero emission gained by Copenhagen, Denmark.

A time-journey reflecting the course of development

New items have been added to the 3/F after the renovation, including the interactive “Planning Timeline” and “Coastlines & Skylines”, which show visitors the development and changes in Hong Kong and along the Victoria Harbour since 1900. One level up on the 4/F, the old and new photos shown on the touch screens of “Hong Kong Now and Then” enable visitors to visualise the evolvement of different places in our city. The “Treasure Hunt”, another section on the same floor, displays miniature models of modern and old buildings, passenger carriers of different periods and playground delights of the old days, such as the merry-go-round, as well as the long and tall metal slide.

Inclusive facilities in the gallery

Ms Margaret CHAN says that, taking the people-oriented approach, the City Gallery has incorporated various inclusive facilities to suit the needs of different age groups and people with disabilities. For instance, in a commanding position overlooking the Victoria Harbour on the 4/F stands an architectural illustration of the Victoria Harbour. It is equipped with a tactile-audio interaction system to facilitate visually impaired visitors to appreciate the features along both sides of our harbour by means of touching, braille dots and audio descriptions. Moreover, the Community Lounge on the same floor provides a cosy environment with seats where visitors can relax and read books about town planning and infrastructure development.

The pop-up Green Living @ Lantau Thematic Exhibition

The “Green Living @ Lantau Thematic Exhibition” has been staged by the Sustainable Lantau Office (SLO) of the CEDD since early June on the G/F of the City Gallery. Through texts, photos and videos, the exhibition shows the office’s efforts in promoting green living at Lantau, including implementing various projects to conserve Lantau, promoting sustainable leisure and recreational activities, as well as integrating green and smart elements into development projects to achieve sustainable development.

Origami artworks of Lantau species

Ms YAU Chun-fai, Spring, Public Relations Manager of the SLO, says that the thematic exhibition also features a large-scale board game which aims to raise the awareness of the public about the hiking etiquette at Lantau. Visitors can also take this opportunity to appreciate the origami artworks of Lantau species created by the famous origami artist, Mr CHAN Pak-hei, Kade. The exhibition will remain open until 26 July. So grab the chance if you have not seen it.

The City Gallery is unique exhibition venue. It briefs the public on the major planning proposals and infrastructure projects in Hong Kong, as well as the development directions of our city. I hope that the departments will encourage the public to visit the gallery, and to join hands to make Hong Kong a liveable, competitive and sustainable Asia's world city.

  
Please click on the image above to watch the video.
Resuming full operation after partial renovation, the City Gallery now houses various new items and facilities with fun elements. It is open to the public free of charge.
Resuming full operation after partial renovation, the City Gallery now houses various new items and facilities with fun elements. It is open to the public free of charge.
Pictured is the “Planning Eye”, a new exhibit in the City Gallery. It takes visitors on a journey to explore the planning and infrastructure development of Hong Kong through the interactive videos shown on the eyeball-shaped LED and a 3D geographical model of Hong Kong combined with audiovisual effect.
Pictured is the “Planning Eye”, a new exhibit in the City Gallery. It takes visitors on a journey to explore the planning and infrastructure development of Hong Kong through the interactive videos shown on the eyeball-shaped LED and a 3D geographical model of Hong Kong combined with audiovisual effect.
Ms Margaret CHAN, Chief Town Planner (Atg.) of the Planning Department, introduces the new interactive games in the City Gallery, including the “Great World Cities” on the G/F.
Ms Margaret CHAN, Chief Town Planner (Atg.) of the Planning Department, introduces the new interactive games in the City Gallery, including the “Great World Cities” on the G/F.
Ms Margaret CHAN, Chief Town Planner (Atg.) of the Planning Department, introduces the new interactive games in the City Gallery, including the “Great World Cities” on the G/F.
Among the new items are “Planning Timeline” (picture above) and “Coastlines & Skylines” (picture below) on the 3/F.
Among the new items are “Planning Timeline” (picture above) and “Coastlines & Skylines” (picture below) on the 3/F.
Ms Margaret CHAN says that, taking the people-oriented approach, the City Gallery has incorporated various inclusive facilities to suit the needs of different age groups and people with disabilities.
Ms Margaret CHAN says that, taking the people-oriented approach, the City Gallery has incorporated various inclusive facilities to suit the needs of different age groups and people with disabilities.
The architectural illustration of the Victoria Harbour equipped with a tactile and audio interaction system. It facilitates visually impaired visitors to appreciate the features along both sides of the harbour through touching, braille dots and audio descriptions.
The architectural illustration of the Victoria Harbour equipped with a tactile and audio interaction system. It facilitates visually impaired visitors to appreciate the features along both sides of the harbour through touching, braille dots and audio descriptions.
Models in the “Treasure Hunt” display buildings in our city, playground delights of the old days, etc.
Models in the “Treasure Hunt” display buildings in our city, playground delights of the old days, etc.
Models in the “Treasure Hunt” display buildings in our city, playground delights of the old days, etc.
The Community Lounge, a new section on the 4/F, provides a cosy corner for visitors to read the books about town planning and infrastructure development.
The Community Lounge, a new section on the 4/F, provides a cosy corner for visitors to read the books about town planning and infrastructure development.
The Community Lounge, a new section on the 4/F, provides a cosy corner for visitors to read the books about town planning and infrastructure development.
The City Gallery is now recruiting “Friends of City Gallery”. Participants will be invited to join the special activities held by the gallery and receive a souvenir.
The City Gallery is now recruiting “Friends of City Gallery”. Participants will be invited to join the special activities held by the gallery and receive a souvenir.
The “Green Living @ Lantau Thematic Exhibition” staged by the Sustainable Lantau Office of the Civil Engineering and Development Department on the G/F.
The “Green Living @ Lantau Thematic Exhibition” staged by the Sustainable Lantau Office of the Civil Engineering and Development Department on the G/F.
Ms YAU Chun-fai, Spring, Public Relations Manager of the SLO, says that in the “Green Living @ Lantau Thematic Exhibition”, visitors can appreciate the origami artworks of Lantau species created by the famous origami artist, Mr CHAN Pak-hei, Kade.
In the "Green Living @ Lantau Thematic Exhibition", visitors can appreciate the origami artworks of Lantau species created by the famous origami artist, Mr CHAN Pak-hei, Kade.
Ms YAU Chun-fai, Spring, Public Relations Manager of the SLO, says that in the “Green Living @ Lantau Thematic Exhibition”, visitors can appreciate the origami artworks of Lantau species created by the famous origami artist, Mr CHAN Pak-hei, Kade.

27 June, 2021

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