Kowloon East (KE) will become another premier CBD (CBD2) of Hong Kong to support our economic growth and strengthen our global competitiveness.
With a total area of 488 hectares, KE comprises the Kai Tak Development (KTD), Kwun Tong and Kowloon Bay Business Areas. Now accommodating over 30 000 firms and more than 270 000 jobs, and with the synergy and impetus to be injected by the KTD, KE has gathered the momentum for a new wave of development. The Government adopts a visionary, coordinated and integrated approach to facilitate the transformation of KE into an additional attractive CBD of Hong Kong to support our economic growth and strengthen our global competitiveness. As promulgated in the 2017 Policy Agenda, the Energizing Kowloon East initiative is extended to San Po Kong.
With the first commercial passengers flight landed on 24 March 1936, Kai Tak Airport later became one of the world's busiest airports. During the time when Hong Kong was one of the world's most productive manufacturing centres, factories in Kwun Tong accounted for nearly one-fifth of Hong Kong's total income from sales in manufacturing industries. KE will continue its legacy in its course of becoming CBD2 of Hong Kong.
Tens of thousands of workers have made a living in the factories of Kwun Tong and Kowloon Bay reflecting Hong Kong's "can do" spirit. Many old factory sites contained encouraging stories about successful entrepreneurship. Many industrial buildings built in 1960s and 1970s with unique architectural character are still being actively used. In recent years, these premises have helped nurture a diversified economy from data centres of financial institutions to creative industries. Industrial heritage and development of KE would be respected and become a unique element in urban design, an inspiring theme for public arts and providing a sensational link for the past, present and future in the face of rapid urban transformation.
Energizing Kowloon East provides a platform and process for establishing partnership with district councils, area committees, trades and operator associations, property owners, building management committees, non-governmental organizations, and all other stakeholders. The vision of Energizing Kowloon East can only be achieved with collective wisdom and effort. The Energizing Kowloon East Office is designated to work with all stakeholders in formulating proposals and delivering projects. It welcomes visionary proposals, tries out innovative solutions, consolidates resources and facilitates implementation.