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The Government is launching a Concept Plan Competition for the development of an integrated arts, cultural and entertainment district at the West Kowloon Reclamation, which will shape the future design and development of this waterfront area as a unique attraction for both local people and visitors.
The objective of the development is to enhance Hong Kong's position as one of Asia's leading centres for the arts and for cultural and entertainment activities as well as to help create a new look for Victoria Harbour.
Announcing the launching of the Competition today (April 6), the Secretary for Planning and Lands, Mr Gordon Siu said that the Scheme Area, a piece of newly reclaimed land of 40 hectares at the southern tip of the West Kowloon Reclamation, has the full potential for attractive waterfront development.
"It is situated at a prominent waterfront location and serves as a gateway to the central Victoria Harbour. It is in close proximity to the Tsim Sha Tsui district which is a vibrant tourist, shopping and entertainment district with a wide range of leisure and cultural facilities," Mr Siu said.
The competition will provide participants with full flexibility in proposing the appropriate facilities for the Scheme Area, provided these are in line with the overall planning intention of developing it into an integrated arts, cultural and entertainment district.
They should include a number of arts and cultural facilities, entertainment as well as other facilities, with justifications on how such facilities could complement each other and the existing provision to achieve integration.
A 10-member Jury comprising experts from within and outside Hong Kong will adjudicate the submitted proposals. The Chairman is Lord Rothschild, a Jury Member of the Pritzker Architecture Prize.
"It will be assisted by a Technical Panel, comprising local experts, and an experienced Professional Advisor.
"We are honoured to have Mr I M Pei as the Honorary Special Advisor to provide advice on broad strategic issues on the Competition," Mr Siu said.
A total of five winners will be chosen and awarded cash prizes - HK$3 million for 1st Prize, HK$1.5 million for 2nd Prize and HK$0.8 million for each of the three Honourable Mentions.
On the eventual development right of the Scheme Area, Mr Siu said that there will be no linkage between the competition and development rights. Following the Competition, the Government plans to appoint a team to finalise a masterplan for the Scheme Area on the basis of the winning proposals. The Government will then decide on how the Scheme Area will be developed.
Separate architectural design competitions may be organized for individual landmark buildings or facilities in the area.
Registration for the Competition will start from tomorrow (April 7) and the deadline for submission is September 29, 2001.
Details of the contest are set out in the Competition Document provided upon registration and at the Bureau's competition website< http://www.hplb.gov.hk/competition>, which is also linked to the websites of the Home Affairs Bureau, the Planning Department, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department and the Architectural Services Department.
The result of the Competition would be announced in the first quarter of 2002.
End/Friday, April 6, 2001
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