"Kai Tak 2.0: Healthy Lift-Off", a creative and innovative proposal developed by Mr Md Masudul Islam and his team, won the Kai Tak Fantasy (KTF) - International Ideas Competition on Urban Planning and Design, the Energizing Kowloon East Office (EKEO) of the Development Bureau announced today (November 14).
Speaking at the award presentation ceremony today, the Secretary for Development, Mr Paul Chan, said the winning proposal not only optimises the KTF's potential, but also demonstrates impressive thoughts of the four themes of the Energizing Kowloon East initiatives, namely connectivity, branding, diversity and design.
"The Jury Panel appreciates that it is a real challenge to design a city fantasy in this unique waterfront location. I look forward to the KTF's transformation into a distinguished, energetic, attractive and people-oriented community," he said.
The Jury Panel said that the winning scheme is an innovative and attractive scheme embracing green and sustainable concepts. The natural treatment of the water edge is particularly encouraging. It translates the Healthy City concept in full by creating venues for uses of recreation, culture, education and commercial purposes. It is very successful in creating a unique place with a big idea, the panel said.
The 2013 Policy Address announced the proposal to create a recreational landmark - the KTF - at the Kai Tak Development. The 90-hectare KTF, comprising the former airport runway tip, the Kwun Tong Action Area and the enclosed water body in between, will become a tourism, entertainment and leisure destination for the enjoyment of the local community and visitors. It will have synergy with various Energizing Kowloon East initiatives.
To solicit creative and innovative design proposals for the development concept, the EKEO launched the competition in November last year. The competition attracted 80 submissions by planners, architects, engineers, landscape architects and surveyors from nine countries. A jury panel headed by Mr Chan conducted the first-stage adjudication in April this year and shortlisted four submissions. The EKEO staged a roving exhibition showcasing the shortlisted submissions for two months from June to August to collect public views on them. It also commissioned the Social Sciences Research Centre (SSRC) of the University of Hong Kong to conduct a public opinion survey, and over 4 000 questionnaires were collected. The SSRC compiled the opinions into a report and submitted it to the jury panel for reference in the second-stage adjudication.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Head of the EKEO, Ms Brenda Au, said the winning scheme, together with other good ideas among the shortlisted entries, will be valuable ingredients for the subsequent studies on the KTF.
Other members of the jury panel include the Chairman of the Kwun Tong District Council, Mr Bunny Chan; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Film Awards Association, Mr Gordon Chan; Senior Resident Fellow (Urban Development) of the Urban Land Institute, Mr Tom Murphy; the Chairman of the Task Force on Kai Tak Harbourfront Development, Mr Vincent Ng; internationally renowned architect Mr Bing Thom; the Head of the Department of Architecture of the University of Hong Kong, Professor Wang Weijen; the Chairman of the Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, Mr Michael Wu; the Chairman of the Lan Kwai Fong Group, Dr Allan Zeman; the Chairman of the Hong Kong Architecture Centre, Mr Raymond Fung; and the former Director of Architectural Services, Mr Yue Chi-hang.
The EKEO also announced the results of the "A Place for You" video contest today. The contest comprises three divisions, with one open to all and the others for tertiary and secondary students. Each division has gold, silver, bronze and meritorious awards.
The contest, managed by the Jockey Club M21 of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, aims to encourage members of the public to express their visions of the KTF based on the shortlisted design ideas from the Competition. Renowned movie directors, Mr Adam Wong and Ms Heiward Mak, served as the jurors. The video entries showed that members of the public have a common vision for green and well-designed public spaces in the KTF as their dream places, which tied in with the main theme of the winning scheme perfectly.
For winning entries and details of the competitions, please visit the KTF website (www.kaitakfantasy.hk).
Ends/Friday, November 14, 2014
Issued at HKT 19:14
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