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The following is issued on behalf of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA):
Planning Design Principles
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Seven key planning design principles will guide the formulation of the Development Plan for the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) to ensure that the district's development is flexible enough to allow for organic growth as well as future changes in arts and culture, and meets diverse socioeconomic needs.
The Board of the WKCDA held its fifth meeting today (May 25) to seek Members' views on these planning design principles and to update Members on the preparatory work for stage 1 of the Public Engagement (PE), which will commence this summer.
Also discussed at the meeting were plans to invite students of tertiary institutions to participate in designing specific components of the WKCD during the district design stage, and the organisational structure of the WKCD Authority. The Board also received a briefing from the Home Affairs Bureau on the development of arts and cultural software in Hong Kong.
Board Chairman Mr Henry Tang said, "We continue to make steady progress on the WKCD, and preparation for a comprehensive Development Plan for WKCD is well underway. We are finalising the selection of the Project consultant and the three Conceptual Plan consultants. Appointment will be expected soon."
Three conceptual plans will be prepared by consultants commissioned by the Authority. They will be made available to allow for extensive public engagement before the final Development Plan for the WKCD is developed.
Mr Tang said that in order to prepare these conceptual plans, the Authority has developed seven key 'planning design principles' that take into account the primary concerns of the community. Foremost among these principles is the notion that the development of the WKCD must always be people-focused. Under this over-arching notion, the Authority selected the following seven planning design principles:
1. Creativity: The district's layout and design should embrace a creative and innovative spirit which can be adaptive to future changes in arts and culture and in socioeconomic needs, and makes creative use of the harbourfront and adjoining water bodies for the enjoyment of the public.
2. Accessibility: Access should be easy and convenient for everyone, from different parts of Hong Kong to the WKCD as well as within it.
3. Connectivity: The WKCD should connect to the lives of people and should optimise access to the harbour, connect to other parts of Hong Kong and beyond, and complement to the neighbouring old areas.
4. Integration: The WKCD should be an integrated district with intrinsic arts and cultural components incorporated into its public open space, both inside and outside the individual arts and cultural facilities, in the infrastructure itself and in its green open areas.
5. Vibrancy: There should be a diversity of functions and activities for people from all walks of life who want to interact, converse, create, work, learn, experience and relax.
6. Uniqueness: The district should project a unique identity as a place that embraces cultural richness from the East and West, and as a haven for the city's traditions, memories, inspirations and aspirations.
7. Sustainability: The WKCD should adopt sustainable planning and design with a commitment to low carbon emissions, low energy consumption and low-cost maintenance.
The planning design principles, endorsed by the Board today, will be incorporated as part of the materials for the Stage 1 PE.
Mr Tang said, "The planning design principles could be further refined in light of views collected from the consultation exercise."
"These seven planning design principles form an important framework for phased development and organic growth, without affecting the integrity of the WKCD. They will also enable all stakeholders to assess whether the three conceptual options fulfil the objectives of the WKCD," said Mr Tang.
"We aim to make the WKCD a vibrant melting pot of cultural experiences where all types of arts and cultural activities can be seen, heard and experienced," Mr Tang continued. "These principles will help us create a place with a clear vision in this regard, and the ability both to grow organically and to reflect our changing world. We also aim to ensure that the WKCD is an environmental champion that adopts the most advanced eco-friendly initiatives."
In shaping the final Development Plan, all stakeholders, including members of the arts and cultural sector as well the general public, will be consulted in a transparent, open, and inclusive manner.
Student Designs for Components of WKCD
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In addition to participating in the public engagement programme, young stakeholders will have a further opportunity to contribute to the WKCD planning process. At today's meeting, the Board decided to engage architectural and arts students of the tertiary education institutions in the design of certain elements of the WKCD, including street furniture and kiosks, etc. In addition, the design of Xiqu Centre, M+, the Concert Hall and the stand alone arts and cultural facilities will also be opened to a competitive process as decided in WKCDA's earlier board meeting.
Space for Educational Use in WKCD
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"The decision to engage students in the design of the WKCD is part of our commitment to encourage wider public participation," said Mr Tang.
"Indeed, the Board considered that the future WKCD should also provide room for people to learn and educate in arts and culture. We are open to ideas on this in the public engagement exercise," added Mr Tang.
Arts and Cultural Software in Hong Kong
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The Board also supported that there should be concerted efforts of all parties concerned, including the Government, the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and local arts and cultural organisations to strengthen the arts and cultural software in Hong Kong in order to turn Hong Kong into a truly cultural hub.
Mr Tang said, "The Board is pleased to know that the Government will be sponsoring the Hong Kong Institute of Architects to present the '2009 Hong Kong/Shenzhen Bi-city Biennial' in December 2009 at the site of WKCD. It will be a major cross-border cultural event that encourages cross-disciplinary of expressions including art, architecture and design."
"The WKCDA will also plan activities that are needed to publicise the WKCD and to connect with the public," added Mr Tang.
Organisational Set-up
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To enable the WKCDA to carry out its work in an effective and efficient manner, the Authority will soon roll out an intensive recruitment drive based on a recently completed consultancy report on the Authority's organisational structure that was discussed during today's meeting. Based on the consultant's recommendation, the Authority is to be headed by a Chief Executive Officer leading seven functional departments covering museum policy and management services, performing arts policy and management services, project delivery, marketing communications and programming, finance, human resources and legal. The salaries of the top three tiers of staff of the Authority will be published in the Authority's annual report for information of the public.
The fully-staffed Authority during the planning stage will be estimated at around 80 odd people. The detailed structure of the museum and performing arts policies departments and the number of staff required will be further finalised when the consultancy studies on mode of governance of the museum and performing arts venues are finalised in September/October this year.
Consultation Panel
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The Authority has also approved ground rules for the public to attend the Consultation Panel meetings. The ground rules will be uploaded to the Authority's website www.wkcdauthority.hk today. The first Consultation Panel meeting will be held on May 27. Details could also be found in the WCKDA website.
Appointment of Co-opted Members to Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee
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The Board has appointed Mr Philip Tsai Wing-chung as a co-opted member of the Audit Committee with effect from May 26, 2009 for a period of one year. The Board has also agreed to appoint a representative from Home Affairs Bureau as a public officer member of the Remuneration Committee with effect from May 26, 2009. Mr Tsai's profile and the updated membership lists of the Audit Committee and Remuneration Committee are attached.
Ends/Monday, May 25, 2009
Issued at HKT 22:30
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