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As part of the New York Celebrates Hong Kong 2008 festival, a reception was held today (October 15, New York time) at the Skyscraper Museum to mark the opening of a three-day international symposium held in conjunction with the exhibition, "Vertical Cities: Hong Kong/New York at the Museum". Secretary for Development Mrs Carrie Lam will deliver a plenary speech on October 17.
The festival, organised by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, New York (HKETONY), is a month-long celebration that started on October 1 to showcase the "modern heritage" of the vibrant and evolving city of Hong Kong through art exhibits, performances and workshops.
Ms Monica Chen, Director of HKETONY, noted that Hong Kong had one of the highest population densities in the world. In order to accommodate the ever-increasing population, developers and architects in Hong Kong were used to building up, which resulted in a vertical cityscape not unlike that of New York City. Ms Chen said the symposium would expand on the themes of the exhibition and explore the similarities and distinctiveness of the two cities.
Ms Chen thanked Carol Willis, Founder and Director of the Skyscraper Museum, for organising the exhibition and symposium. She also thanked all the participating experts and officials and wished the symposium every success.
The symposium has three separate programmes, which are held in partnership with The Regional Plan Association, The New School's India China Institute and The Tishman Environment and Design Center. Some of the topics discussed will be: What is vertical density? Is it a product of rampant capitalist markets, of particular cultures, or can it be planned? Is it a positive goal for cities old and new?
Mrs Carrie Lam is invited to speak on the second day of the symposium on October 17. She will take part in "Hong Kong – New York: Dialogue with Amanda Burden, Chair, City Planning Commission and Director, NYC Department of City Planning."
Ends/Thursday, October 16, 2008
Issued at HKT 12:43
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