URA Boosts Kwun Tong Town Centre and Flower Market by Leveraging Renewal Experience in Central and Sheung Wan
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) has launched multiple urban renewal projects in Central and Sheung Wan, utilising an "Integrated Approach" that combines redevelopment, building rehabilitation, preservation and revitalisation to renew old districts, improving residents' living environments and quality of life. It also employs place-making and community-making strategies to inject vitality into these areas, strengthen their unique character and foster community cohesion.
With Christmas approaching, the URA will draw on its success in Central and Sheung Wan to host festive activities at "Free Space" in Kwun Tong Town Centre and within the project area of the Sai Yee Street / Flower Market Road Development Scheme (Sai Yee Street Project). These events are aimed at attracting visitors and connecting the community by showcasing the district's characteristics and development while enhancing the vibrancy of these two areas during the festive season, boosting tourism and the local economy, and promoting the sustainable development of old districts.
Staunton Street Project Embodies the Concept of "Community-Led Renewal"
In 2018, the URA launched the Staunton Street / Shing Wong Street Preservation and Revitalisation Project (Staunton Street Project) in Central, proactively exploring community-making initiatives beyond redevelopment to preserve and revitalise the area's unique building blocks and urban fabric. The URA also collaborated with residents and community members to explore urban renewal proposals that promote sustainable community development and achieve a shared vision for the future.
As a “catalyst", the URA established a Community Farm to encourage residents to plant together. The number of residents caring for the farm has doubled since its inception, including longtime locals and new expatriate residents, thereby fostering community cohesion.
Additionally, some old tenement buildings within the project area have been revitalised into co-living units, and a "Community Room" has been created, allowing residents to host various activities that strengthen their sense of belonging. The Community Room, managed by an operating organisation, has held over 30 events since its opening in May, enhancing connections and interactions among residents.
The success of the Staunton Street Project's community-making approach, which has earned several awards for planning, architecture and heritage revitalisation, is attributed to the active involvement of stakeholders. The project follows the community-making strategy of "Converge, Cocreate, Collaborate and Convert”, establishing a sustainable development model for "Community-Led Renewal”. It is envisioned that this initiative will serve as a reference for other old districts, fostering their organic and sustainable renewal with the support of local participants.
"City Walk" Participants "Shop and Walk” Boosts Local Economy
Following the success of community-making in the Staunton Street Project, the URA organised the "City Walk" Programme in Central and Sheung Wan to showcase the district's rich history, architecture, culture and local characteristics.
Participants shared that the tour allowed them to rediscover Central and Sheung Wan and stimulated their desire to shop on the spots during the tour. Merchants in the area, including those selling traditional Hong Kong snacks and sauces, observed an increase in foot traffic and business as some participants purchased their products during their tours.
The URA will explore the possibility of expanding the areas covered by “City Walk” and is studying potential collaborations with local merchants in Central and Sheung Wan to bring together different sectors to enhance tourism and consumer experiences, thereby boosting the local economy.
Giant Panda Installations Add Festive Joy to Kwun Tong Town Centre
Beyond Central and Sheung Wan, the URA promotes urban renewal in other old districts through different approaches tailored to their unique local characteristics.
Due to its strategic location, convenient transportation, and its role in connecting the commercial and residential areas of Kwun Tong South and North, the URA transformed the project site of the final phase of the Kwun Tong Town Centre Redevelopment Project into a “Free Space” after withdrawing the tender. The “Free Space” is open to government departments and local organisations for hosting events and activities, attracting over one million visitors so far. It has demonstrated the key role that Kwun Tong Town Centre plays in drawing foot traffic and driving the local economy.
During the Christmas season, the URA will host a large festive event, "WINTER TRANSFORM", at Kwun Tong Town Centre. In line with the citywide celebration of the arrival of the giant pandas, 80 panda installations will be featured throughout the Free Space with the theme of “Transformation", symbolising Kwun Tong's transformation from an old industrial area to Kwun Tong Town Centre 2.0. Starting from 6 December, visitors can enjoy taking photos with these pandas.
The panda installations will also link with festive activities at the adjacent shopping mall YM2 Yue Man Square, further enhancing the effect of attracting foot traffic. The URA encourages merchants in the mall and the Yue Man Hawker Bazaar to seize the opportunities presented by the panda-themed excitement to offer related products, tapping into the potential of the "Panda Economy”. After Christmas, the pandas will don Lunar New Year outfits, extending the festive atmosphere into March next year.
Promoting Sustainable Development in the Flower Market and Boosting the Local Economy
To sustainably renew old districts while showcasing their unique characteristics and promoting local businesses, targeted proposals and designs need to be considered in the early planning stages to ensure that these businesses can continue to operate and thrive in the area after renewal projects are completed. These include improving road and pedestrian networks to make old districts more accessible to attract customers, enhancing both the district's appearance and business environment.
Therefore, in planning the Sai Yee Street Project, the URA focuses on creating favourable conditions for the Flower Market's long-term and sustainable development, aiming to attract visitors, inject vitality, promote tourism, and expand businesses to drive the local economy. This will ensure that the Flower Market continues to flourish for decades to come.
While the project is still in the planning stage and will take some time to achieve the vision for urban renewal, the URA team has devised short- and medium-term measures to boost the pedestrian flow and economic vitality in the Flower Market.
In mid-December, the URA will host its first outdoor Christmas event at the Flower Market. Sections of Sai Yee Street and Flower Road will be adorned with lights, and a large Christmas installation will be set up in the area to enhance the festive atmosphere and highlight the area's unique charm. On the weekend before Christmas, the URA will collaborate with some flower shop operators and a community organisation to host flower-themed workshops for the public, bringing more people and economic activities to the area. Further details about the Flower Market Christmas events and other ideas on revitalising the area's economy will be shared in my upcoming blog post.