23 April, 2010
After reviewing the recently released report on the analysis of views for the Stage 1 Public Engagement (PE) Exercise, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WCKDA) Board today (23 April, Friday) discussed the strategic directions for the Conceptual Plan Consultants to prepare the conceptual plan options which will be put forward for seeking public’s views in the Stage 2 PE exercise.
Mr Henry Tang, Chairman of the Board of the WKCDA, said, “Hong Kong people have spelt out their dreams of what the WKCD could and should be in the Stage 1 PE exercise. The Conceptual Plan and Project consultants should work together to design the WKCD’s layout, to ensure that these views are not only heard, but taken into account in preparing the district’s plans.”
The report on the analysis of views for the Stage 1 PE exercise analysed the views among the general public and stakeholders from more than 7 000 questionnaires and written submissions received.
For the preparation of the Development Plan of the WKCD, the Board took the following strategic directions at today’s meeting:
• In designing the Conceptual Plan Options, qualities such as “Artistic/ Cultural Feel”, “Relaxing”, “Inspiring”, “Inviting”; “Showcasing Hong Kong’s Unique Local and Traditional Characteristics”; and “Exhibiting a Green Setting” should be adopted as the major directions when planning the overall look and ambience of the district;
• The seven Planning Design Principles should continue to be used as the framework for the future development of the WKCD, with a particular emphasis on “Sustainability”;
• The Conceptual Plan Consultants should pay heed to the preferences and views expressed by the public and stakeholders on travelling to-and-from and within the WKCD and public open space in designing the layout of the WKCD;
• The Consultants should consider how to best incorporate the ideas on “Education-Related Facilities”, “Information and Communication Technology (ICT)” and “Barrier-free access for persons with disabilities” in planning the WKCD;
• Further consideration would be given to what additional facilities should be undertaken in the WKCD as no predominant view has emerged in the Stage 1 PE exercise;
• An organic growth and clustering approach for the facilities should be adopted in planning the WKCD; and
• In preparing the technical design of the Core Arts and Cultural Facilities (CACF), the Chief Executive Officer, respective Executive Directors and the arts and culture stakeholders will all work closely together.
The views received during the Stage 1 PE exercise will provide a useful reference for the Conceptual Plan Consultants in preparing their Conceptual Plan Options. They are required to produce a statement on how public views have been taken into account during the development of their Conceptual Plan Options. The three designs will then be unveiled to the public during Stage 2 of the Public Engagement Exercise, scheduled for summer 2010.
The WKCDA today also announced that Mr Louis Yu Kwok-lit will helm the Performing Arts Policy and Management Services Department as Executive Director. He will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the WKCDA, Mr Graham Sheffield.
Speaking about the appointment, Mr Tang commented, “The Authority’s top leadership is rounding into great shape. Performing arts is one of the key areas that will determine the success of the WKCD, and we have no doubt that Mr Yu has the passion, talent and experience we need to drive the planning of the performing arts facilities as well as their programmes”.
Mr Sheffield added, “I am delighted to have Louis to join the Authority. He immediately strengthens the expertise of our team as we move towards public consultation on the conceptual plans and detailed planning of the district. His local knowledge and experience will also be invaluable — for example, in complementing my international connections as we build an artistic strategy that also prominently involves local companies and artists”.
As the Performing Arts Policy and Management Services Executive Director, Mr Yu will play a key role in defining the vision, mission and artistic direction for the performing arts facilities at the WKCD. He will also be responsible for exploring partnership opportunities in programming, and shaping the overall strategic direction of the WKCD’s performing arts.
Mr Yu is presently the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council, and from 2000-2007 he worked as the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Arts Centre. He has over 20 years of experience in arts administration and management and was previously a member of the Performing Arts and Tourism Advisory Group of the Consultative Committee on the Core Arts & Cultural Facilities of the WKCD.
Mr Yu’s profile and a photograph of him are given in the Annex.
The Board today also appointed Mr Wilson Fung Ying-wai, as a non-Board member of the Audit Committee with effect from 24 April 2010, to replace Dr. Kam Pok-man, who has resigned from the Committee in view of his recent appointment as the Chief Executive Officer of the Financial Reporting Council. Similar to the other non-Board members of the Audit Committee, the tenure of Mr Fung will lapse on 31 December 2010. Mr Fung's profile and the updated membership list of the Audit Committee are given in the Annex.
Annex
1) Profile of Mr Louis YU Kwok-lit
Mr Yu, aged 44, is presently the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Arts Development Council. Mr Yu has also worked with the Hong Kong Arts Centre for 13 years and worked as the Executive Director of the Hong Kong Arts Centre from 2000-2007.
Mr Yu’s devotion and passion to the arts has driven him to take an active role in promoting the broad development of art in Hong Kong. He has over 20 years of experience in arts administration and management and is now member of the Venue Partnership Committee of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department. Mr Yu was the advisor of the Drama School of the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts as well as a member of the Performing Arts and Tourism Advisory Group of the Consultative Committee on the Core Arts & Cultural Facilities of the West Kowloon Cultural District.
2) Photograph of Mr Louis YU Kwok-lit
3) Profile of Mr Wilson FUNG Ying-wai
Mr Fung, aged 56, is an accountant by profession. He is the Group Financial Controller of Jardine Matheson Limited and the current President of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants. Mr Fung also has extensive experience in serving the community. He is currently the Chairman of the Accounting Advisory Board, School of Business, the University of Hong Kong; a Convenor of the Financial Reporting Review Panel of the Financial Reporting Council and a Member of the HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education Business Studies Advisory Board. He is a Board Member and the Treasurer of the Hong Kong Dance Company as well.
4) Members of the Audit Committee under the Board of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority
Chairman:
The Honourable Paul Chan Mo-po, MH, JP
Members:
(Board members)
Mr Edmond Chung Kong-mo, JP; Mr Danny Yung Ning-tsun
(Non-board members)
Mr Philip Tsai Wing-chung; Mr Wilson Fung Ying-wai
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