URA Community Space
Through adopting different urban regeneration strategies, namely redevelopment, rehabilitation, preservation and revitalisation, the URA is committed to undertaking place-making initiatives in its projects to transform places into community spaces featuring local characteristics that can be shared and enjoyed by the public.
SPORTS EXPO, located at the commercial portion (namely "THE FOREST") of the Sai Yee Street Project of the URA in Mong Kok, is a sports-themed interactive information hub. Aiming at promoting local sports, SPORTS EXPO showcases the development of various sports in an innovative and interactive way while recognising the outstanding achievements of Hong Kong athletes. At the SPORTS EXPO, members of the public can experience a wide range of sports activities through multimedia and virtual reality (VR) games.
During the design process of the SPORTS EXPO, the URA overcame the space limitation of the exhibition venue by innovation and technologies, which include the application of VR technology in the LED arena, motion game zone and VR games zone. Through advance booking, visitors will be able to experience eight different types of sports training featuring the fundamental techniques in playing these sports, or even undergo special trainings with star athletes or challenge their friends in breaking the record. Those who prefer a more relaxed visit can simply enjoy the exclusive video clips of local leading athletes as well as pictures featuring athletic gears worn in large-scale sports events.
SPORTS EXPO goes beyond the boundaries by building connectivity with other spaces within the mall, including ground floor walkways, piazza and rooftop garden. Sports-related interactive games with augmented reality (AR) technology enrich the visit with intriguing contents. By hunting the camera checkpoints in the mall, visitors will have a chance to take photos with star athletes through AR!
Members of the public are welcome to visit the SPORTS EXPO by appointment. Please also download the mobile app to enjoy a distinctive experience in sports.
Address: Shop 212, 2/F, THE FOREST, 17 Nelson Street, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Opening hours: 12:00nn – 9:00pm (daily including Sat, Sun and Public Holidays)
SPORTS EXPO Mobile App (Available on the App Store and Google Play)
Occupying about 2,660 square metres of the ground floor of The Center, H6 CONET is among the first batch of the URA’s place-making initiatives to reinvent spaces for common use. The name of ‘CONET’ stands for ‘C’ommunity, ‘O’pen space and ‘N’etwork, and the community spaces are intended to be ‘places connecting the community and places for the community’.
Following a major facelift and renovation of the original government, institutional and community facilities, H6 CONET was opened in October 2017 providing venues for community events, exhibitions and performances. The district’s local characteristics are highlighted through the many cultural and historical elements incorporated in its interior design. In addition to indoor greening and leisure seating area, free Wi-Fi network is also available at H6 CONET. The new layout plan further enhances its connectivity with six adjoining streets, namely Tit Hong Lane, Hing Lung Street, Tung Man Street, Wing On Street, Gilman Street and Gilman's Bazaar, making H6 CONET more easily accessible by the public.
H6 CONET also provides office spaces for social services organisations, alongside other multi-function rooms which are open for reservation by community groups. The community space also houses the Urban Renewal Exploration Centre - the URA’s exhibition and resources centre where visitors can explore the work of urban renewal through participating in docent activities and other interactive learning experiences.
7 Mallory Street (M7), the preservation cum revitalisation project at Mallory Street/Burrows Street in Wan Chai has become a cultural and creative space since its opening in July 2013. Starting from 1 August 2018, the URA takes up the operation and management of M7, according to the recommendations from the business plan study conducted in 2009, continues to promote arts, cultural and creative industries. In addition, M7 provides venues including indoor exhibition areas and multi-function rooms for exhibitions, seminars, workshops and community events. The revitalised building cluster also contains a 300-square metre public open space, retail as well as food and beverages facilities/outlets.
Members of the public are welcome to join a diversity of programmes offered at both H6 CONET and M7 from time to time. There are also event spaces and facilities at both venues available for reservation by eligible organisations and individuals. Similar facilities at 618 Shanghai Street are also available for public. For more details on programmes or venue facilities, Please visit https://ura-vb.org.hk/ for more information.