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28 Mar 2025

Encouraging Professionals to Contribute Their Ideas for the Urban Renewal of Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok

The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) and the Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) jointly announce the launch of the “Idea Competition for the Urban Renewal for Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok” today (28 March 2025).  This competition invites professionals, graduates and students to contribute innovative and creative designs that will provide solutions for shaping two of Hong Kong’s most densely populated old districts into a vibrant urban area for living, working and leisure. 

The competition builds on the findings of the District Study for Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok (the Study), conducted by the URA between 2017 and 2021.  Covering approximately 212 hectares, the Study aimed to develop strategies to transform the area into a liveable, sustainable, diverse and vibrant metropolitan hub.  Participants are encouraged to leverage the new planning tools and insights as recommended by the Study to create designs that align with this vision. 

The key objective of the competition is to make urban planning and renewal concepts of the Study accessible to the general public.  By translating complex planning mechanisms into tangible urban and building designs, the competition seeks to foster a deeper understanding of urban renewal among the general public. 

Prize

There will be two sites for the competition and the first prize includes a cash prize of HKD200,000 for each site.

Jury Panel

The competition will be adjudicated by a five-member Jury Panel composed of the following members:

  • Ir. WAI Chi Sing, GBS, JP, FHKEng
  • Ms. WONG Yuen Sheung, Ophelia, BBS
  • Ar. LAU Man Kwan, Julia, JP
  • Ar. Dr. IP Chung Man, Tony, MH
  • Mr. LAU Hing Tat, Patrick, JP
  • Ar. CHEUNG Hoi Fo, Jacky (Reserve Juror)
  • Ar. LEUNG Yee Wah, Edward (Reserve Juror)
  • Ar. CHING Yuk Yu, Eugene (Reserve Juror)

Supported by Industry Leaders

The competition is supported by Ar. Bernard V. Lim, BBS JP of AD+RG Architecture Design and Research Group Limited as the Professional Advisor, alongside other esteemed industry organisations, including: 

  • The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE) 
  • The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA) 
  • The Hong Kong Institute of Planners (HKIP) 
  • The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS)
  • The Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design (HKIUD)
  • The Professional Green Building Council (PGBC) 

Competition Format and Eligibility

The competition is a single-stage design idea competition open to a wide range of participants.  While the team leader shall be a full member of HKIA, team members can include professionals from other disciplines, graduates and students from universities or post-secondary colleges in Hong Kong, Mainland and overseas.  Individual, group and company entries are welcome, and there is no limit to the number of team members.  Members of the Study’s project team including consultants of the Study are not eligible to participate in the competition. 

Sharing Seminar in April 2025

To help participants better understand the competition’s theme and judging criteria, a sharing seminar will be held in April 2025.  URA representatives will provide insights and key findings from the Study, offering participants a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the areas.  This will enable participants to develop more concrete and informed ideas for their submissions. 

Registration and Details

Registration for the competition will open in early May 2025, with further details to be released at that time.

 

(ENDS)

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