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1. Activists unveil 3-D Tamar waterfront proposal

2. Local flavour urged to lure visitors to West Kowloon

1. Activists unveil 3-D Tamar waterfront proposal
Leslie Kwoh, The Standard 22 May 2006

Harbor activists have intensified pressure on the government to release further details on the proposed administrative complex at Tamar, unveiling a HK$300,000 three-dimensional vision for the prime waterfront site and its surrounding areas.

The two-meter-long model, funded by Civic Exchange, Designing Hong Kong Harbour District and WWF Hong Kong, made its debut Sunday little more than a week before the government is expected to present lawmakers with its funding proposal for the controversial HK$5 billion headquarters.

In the model, the proposed complex is divided into five low-density buildings - the tallest only 20 stories - with small-scale pedestrian spaces in between. But the highlight is that the Tamar site is "detachable," allowing the public to envision how the area would look if the four-hectare project is replaced with open space.

"We personally don't agree with moving the government offices to Tamar, but if the government must, then please come up with a good design," said Paul Zimmerman, convenor of Designing Hong Kong Harbour District.

He said he has thus far presented the model to members of the four largest political parties in Hong Kong : the Democratic Party, Liberal Party, Civic Party and the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong. "Everyone likes it," he said.

But after apparent U-turns last month by the Democratic Party and the DAB, activists said they are now relying on the Civic Party - the fourth-largest - to support their cause.

"We look to the Civic Party now because they are the only people we can trust," said Bill Barron, a visiting scholar at the Institute for the Environment at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, after a disappointing meeting between activists and government officials Friday.

Party lawmaker Alan Leong Kah- kit said he was already in the process of arranging for the model to be exhibited at the Legislative Council chamber beginning this week.

He added that the party would also "very soon" host activities to voice its concerns.

Party vice chairman Albert Lai Kwong-tak, who attended Sunday's unveiling of the model, said he supported some of the proposed aspects such as open space, diversity and "returning the harbor to the people."

He emphasized, however, that the party viewed the model as only one option and that the final design should still be decided by a "citizen's process."

In the meantime, he said the party would continue to "absorb all views" before creating its own vision, to be revealed sometime in June.

2. Local flavour urged to lure visitors to West Kowloon
MAY CHAN , 22 May 2006

Snack shops, fortune-telling counters and jade markets should be featured alongside world-class arts facilities at the West Kowloon Cultural District to attract overseas visitors, the tourism sector says.

Michael Wu Siu-ieng, chairman of the Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents, said street performances in open spaces would be insufficient.

This is contrary to views of the arts and culture sector, which has been pushing for open spaces and small venues for experimental arts groups to add vibrancy to the district.

"If they only arrange for local artists to sing or dance on the roads, it is not likely to lengthen the stay of tourists" Mr Wu said. "Long-haul tourists have seen loads of street art back at home, while short-haul tourists are not much interested in local art and culture.

" West Kowloon should not feature local arts groups in open spaces. Instead, they should incorporate elements of tourist spots which bear local characteristics, like goldfish markets, fortune telling, snack shops or other small businesses of local character."

He said the project should be aware of existing cultural tourist attractions in the Pearl River Delta region, as tourists from Southeast Asia and further afield tended to view Hong Kong as part of delta trips also taking in Macau , Shenzhen and Zhuhai .

Hong Kong 's edge still lay in its international appeal and mix of eastern and western cultures, said Mr Wu. Hong Kong should focus on its own culture, such as the film industry, which was renowned worldwide.

Joseph Tung Yiu-chung, executive director of the Travel Industry Council, said the sector was also looking for regular night-time arts and cultural performances. Mr Tung sits on the advisory group for tourism and performing arts facilities for the West Kowloon project. The group, with Hong Kong Tourism Board chairwoman Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee as its convenor, forms part of the consultative committee for the project.

Danny Yung Ning-tsun, founder of experimental theatre group Zuni Icosahedron, who also sits on the consultative committee, said the government should not only develop the project from a business point of view.

Mr Yung said the government should approach international art and cultural organisations, like Unesco and the British Council, to persuade them to move their Asian headquarters to Hong Kong .

"Once we have the best brains in Hong Kong , things will follow," he said.

Representatives from the tourism sector will meet Mrs Chow today to exchange views on the tourism and performing arts facilities for the West Kowloon project.