Full speed ahead: space under Kwun Tong Bypass to be transformed into arts hub and urban garden

A non-profit group has been chosen to operate three open areas under the Kwun Tong Bypass for four years in a bid to create an arts hub and urban garden.

HKALPS was the only company to submit a proposal for the vacant sites – which take up 8,600 square metres near the Kwun Tong Promenade – to the Development Bureau’s Energising Kowloon East Office.

The first site will mainly serve as an informal performance area, while artist studios in the form of containers will be placed in the second and third sites. Urban gardens and farms will fill any gaps.

“In Kowloon East, we placed the emphasis on greening,” said a spokeswoman for the office.

“We want to introduce urban farming into the neighbourhood. There will be vanillas grown and horticulture classes will be offered at a cost.”

The government will spend up to HK$20 million to construct facilities and HKALPS is expected to contribute HK$2 million. Any profits generated will be returned to the government at the end of the four-year tenancy.

According to the spokeswoman, HKALPS is a “very new company” run by experienced art executives, urban farming experts and social entrepreneurs. Its chairwoman is Ruby Yeung, who was part of the curatorial team in the Coming Home - Art Container Project Documentation and Art Exhibition in 2014.