Press Release - April 6, 2001
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) 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 Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Canada, Mrs Rosanna Ure, invites Canadian planners and architects to submit their blueprints and win prize money totaling C$1 million.

"I understand Canadian planning and architectural skills have won international acclaim in the past, therefore it is another opportunity for Canadian professionals to show off their talent," Mrs Ure said.

Internationally renowned architect, Mr I.M.Pei, has agreed to be the honorary special adviser for the competition. 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.

Five winners will be chosen and award cash prizes - HK$3 million (C$600,000) for the First Prize, HK$1.5 million (C$300,000) for the Second Prize, and HK$0.8 million (C$160,000) for each of the three Honourable Mentions.

A Government spokesman said proposals should be aesthetically attractive, functional and broadly feasible. In addition, there is no linkage between the competition and the eventual development right of the West Kowloon Reclamation Scheme.

Participants will have 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.
The deadline for registration is June 8 2001 (5 pm Hong Kong Time). The deadline for submission is September 29 2001 (12 noon, Hong Kong Time). The SAR Government plans to announce the result of the competition in the first quarter of 2002.

Details of the contest are set out in the Competition Document provided upon registration and at the Planning and Lands Bureau's competition website http://www.plb.gov.hk/

For further information please contact Senior Information Officer, Jimmy Leung at telephone no. 416-924-5544 or e-mail [email protected].