 The West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) Authority organized a seminar on “City vs. Architecture: Challenges and Opportunities” on 21st April at the University of Hong Kong, during which the three WKCDA’s Conceptual Plan Consultants shared their insights and international professional planning and architectural design experiences with local architecture students and teachers. The seminar attracted over 100 architecture professors and students from the University of Hong Kong as well as the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Mr. David Gianotten from Office for Metropolitan Architecture shared his experience on the interrelationship between architecture and city development; Mr. Colin Ward from Foster + Partners shared his views on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in city planning and architecture; and Mr. Rocco Yim from Rocco Design Architects Ltd discussed the influence of architecture on the shaping of a city’s identity. They also discussed other aspects on city planning and architecture, such as the importance of architectural integration with the “context” of a city, and the blending of environmental protection and sustainability into city planning. Interesting case studies in Hong Kong and abroad were also mentioned.
 The Q&A session was moderated by Professor Ralph Lerner, Dean and Chair Professor of the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Hong Kong. Participants and consultants had lively discussions on the development and perception of architecture.
Participating students believed that the seminar helped open up their minds and thoughts on architecture. Ho, a Year two Master of Architecture student, said: “The seminar provided a good opportunity for us to understand the views of different architects. Next time we look forward to having a more in-depth discussion with them and understanding how to plan an architecture project.”
Lee, a Year one Bachelor of Architecture student, said: “The opinions of the consultants have given me a new understanding of city design which is very helpful to my studies.”
The aim of the seminar is twofold: to provide architecture students with an opportunity to understand more about city design and the planning of WKCD; and to serve as a pre-start platform for exchange of views before the Stage 2 Public Engagement (PE) exercise. The Honourable Ronald Arculli, Chairman of the Development Committee, who gave the opening remarks at the seminar, said that the three Conceptual Plan Consultants are at present in full swing preparing their Conceptual Plan Options taking into account the views expressed by the public and stakeholders during the Stage 1 PE exercise. Their designs will be unveiled to the public during Stage 2 of the PE exercise, scheduled for summer 2010.
Video recording of the seminar has been uploaded on the Authority’s website (www.wkcda.hk) under ‘Multimedia Gallery’ for sharing.
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