Hong Kong’s success began with the move from an entrepot to an industrial city, led by the development of various industries in the Kwun Tong Industrial Area in the 1950s. During the urban transformation process, we respect the industrial culture of Kowloon East (KE) and integrate this precious essence with urban design and our place making strategy for quality and organic growth of the city.
We, together with a multi-disciplinary team of consultants comprising academics, historians, architects, planners and overseas experts, conducted "The Spirit of Creation – Study on Industrial Culture of Kowloon East" (the Study) during 2012-2014. The Study recorded the industrial development history and stories of Kwun Tong and Kowloon Bay on aspects including urban planning, industrial evolution, architecture of industrial buildings, and translation of the unique industrial culture into design principles and guidelines to assist planners, architects and designers in implementing their projects on public spaces, facilities and buildings in KE. Please find the Executive Summary and Final Report of the Study below.
Apart from developing a set of design principles and guidelines, a discovery map has also been prepared to link up the public spaces with spots of historical, architectural and cultural values. The map facilitates the public in appreciating the industrial culture and transformation of KE, and helps to arouse their interest to continue the "Spirit of Creation". An advocacy statement has also been developed to encourage private owners and developers to incorporate industrial cultural elements in their new development or conversion projects to showcase interesting industrial stories.
Switch box decoration is one of the projects implemented based on the findings of the Study. The grey switch boxes on the roadside usually only serve their power supply function, though inconspicuous yet occupying significant urban space. They could be converted as platforms to showcase industrial culture, with great potential to enlighten the urban space and enhance the pedestrian experience. By adopting the themes and brands featuring the local industrial characters nearby, they displayed decorations from related old newspaper clippings and product images. There are different switch box designs and each carries a different "Made in Hong Kong" story. They attract the attention of pedestrians with eye-catching colours, weaving together industrial culture and urban design, and bringing a unique urban experience to the public.
Tsun Yip Street Playground (InPARK) Phase 1 is the first project showcasing how the findings of the Study can be integrated into design to improve public spaces and art installations. Phase 2 further showcases the industrial cultural elements in the form of public artwork featuring the prominent industries in KE in the past. Please find further details of InPARK from the link below.
