The Stage 1 Public Engagement Exercise was opened by a Student Forum on 8 October 2009. To echo our emphasis to young people, who will be the future of Hong Kong, the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA) dedicated the last open forum of the Public Engagement Exercise to the youth. The Youth Forum was held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on December 20, 2009. Over 160 youths, including university students and working youth, came together to express their views and aspirations for the WKCD.

Against the backdrop of Hong Kong’s city skyline and the Victoria Harbour, the 2009 Hong Kong & Shenzhen Bi-city Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture was officially inaugurated by the Hon Henry Tang, the Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

The 3rd public forum was held at the Tai Po Civic Centre on December 6. With over 200 participants, the discussion was enthusiastic and views expressed were creative. Participants truly demonstrated what the slogan “Stretch your imagination, share your dreams” had said. We have collected a lot of useful ideas on how to improve the WKCD’s transportation network, sustainability, utilization of the public area, rental of facilities as well as preservation of local arts and culture.