Visions of Hong Kong's future: architecture biennale's theme timely
The Bi-city Biennale of Urbanism/Architecture starting in December in a Tsim Sha Tsui park and a former Shenzhen factory offers young Hongkongers a say on city's future, curator says
Kowloon Park in Tsim Sha Tsui is to be transformed into a laboratory for examining some of the most critical issues facing this city – from politics to urban redevelopment – as part of this year’s Bi-city Biennale of Urbanism/ Architecture.
As with the previous four editions, the biennale is split between Shenzhen and Hong Kong, with exhibitions and events held more or less concurrently in the two cities from December to February to highlight the growing integration and urbanisation of the Pearl River Delta.
The 2013 Hong Kong portion was a fairly light-hearted affair along the Kwun Tong waterfront. This time, the sixty-odd participants are being asked to imagine the city’s future just when recent political developments have shaken a lot of people’s belief in it, and organisers are aware that the question of “what is the future of Hong Kong?”, even when framed within a debate on architecture and urban design, is far from an academic matter.
Christine Hawley, professor of architectural design at London’s Bartlett School of Architecture, is the chief curator of the Hong Kong segment this year. She said the event was a timely platform for young Hong Kong talent to comment on the city.
“This is an extraordinarily interesting time for Hong Kong. Last year’s 'umbrella movement' was a vocal protest by the younger generation to demonstrate their concerns for Hong Kong and it captured the world’s attention. I hope that the biennale will be a platform for younger people to have a voice in the future of their city and to be a catalyst for discussions,” Hawley said.