Strategically located at the Victoria Harbourfront and served by the MTR Kwun Tong Line and Shatin-Central Link as well as the Central Kowloon Route under construction, Kowloon East is well connected with the traditional CBD in Central and other districts, and is poised to become CBD2 to complement the traditional CBD. With the emergence of new office buildings and shopping centres, there are signs in the market that the former industrial areas in Kowloon East have the potential to turn into a premier business district. Development in these areas will be complemented by the planned developments at Kai Tak.

Kowloon East (KE) is not a second Central. Its development would create synergy effect rather than competition with Central. While most financial enterprises and multi-national corporations are expected to stay in Central, KE would be positioned as another attractive CBD with its own appeal. Providing Grade A offices at lower rent than Central, KE has already attracted many enterprises to move to the area. In addition, enhancement of pedestrian walking environment, streetscape, greening, landscaping, and diversified land uses like water activities, waterfront development, creative, leisure and entertainment facilities would make KE a unique CBD with its own character.

EKEO will work together with different bureaux and departments, the industry, transport operators and non-governmental organizations in coordinating and implementing the proposals and engage the stakeholders and general public in the process.

For streetscape enhancement, open space and area improvement works, we have formulated an overall improvement framework for the Kowloon Bay, Kwun Tong and San Po Kong Business Areas, with measures including addition and upgrading of facilities, integration of pedestrian facilities with open space and other works projects to enhance connectivity, improve environment and enhance streetscape. The at-grade pedestrian environment improvement measures in Kowloon East have largely been implemented. The medium to long-term improvement schemes, including the addition of footbridges and subways, are at different stages of design, engineering planning and construction.

For the Kwun Tong Action Area and Kowloon Bay Action Area, only government land is involved and the proposals of the planning and engineering feasibility studies for the Action Areas would be pursued subject to the relocation of the existing facilities. As regards redevelopment and conversion of industrial buildings, these are mainly driven by private initiatives.

The transformation process of the industrial areas is gradual, extended and inclusive. The Government would steer the process with due care and attention of the needs of stakeholders. Extensive consultations, community engagement exercises and detailed assessments would be carried out to establish consensus and minimize the impact on different parties. The Government announced the measures under new revitalization scheme for industrial buildings in 2018, including exempting the waiver fee to encourage wholesale conversion of industrial buildings but requiring 10% of the converted floor space to be designated for specific uses including creative industries, art and culture uses, and allowing permitted uses of the arts and cultural sectors and creative industries to operate at individual units of existing industrial buildings without waiver application and waiver fee.

The public works infrastructure projects in Kai Tak Development would largely be completed by 2026. We have completed feasibility studies on pedestrian environment improvement in the Kwun Tong, Kowloon Bay and San Po Kong Business Areas and have formulated a number of short, medium and long-term improvement schemes. Most of the short-term improvement schemes have been implemented. The general urban environment in Kwun Tong and Kowloon Bay Business Areas has been significantly improved. The improvement schemes in San Po Kong Business Area have been gradually implemented. The medium and long-term improvement schemes, which include the construction of additional footbridges and subways, are at various stages of design, engineering planning and construction.

EKEO is under the Works Branch of the Development Bureau. It was established to facilitate the transformation of industrial area in Kowloon East into another premier CBD of Hong Kong. Its role is to oversee strategic planning of KE including Kai Tak, to advocate the conceptual master plan (CMP) of KE, facilitate the implementation of various proposals under the CMP (including enhance connectivity, improve environment, release development potential through relocation of Government facilities), facilitating private development proposals and enhance vibrancy of the district through place making. EDO is under the Civil Engineering and Development Department and is tasked to oversee the coordination and implementation of Kai Tak Development within its intended timeframe.