Strong-smelling dried fish, sensational Sichuan food, studious academics and the old sanatorium: Sai Wan's rich history has given us an interesting - and surprisingly alliterative - heritage. Among the earliest of Hong Kong's officially delineated districts, the "western ring" includes Sai Ying Pun, Shek Tong Tsui, Belcher Bay and Kennedy Town. But as both the MTR and the yuppies go west, the district is changing rapidly. What does the future hold for Sai Wan?
Beautiful Sai Wan is the name of both a grass-roots organisation promoting heritage in the district and a competition that invites urban designers to look 20 years into the future and share their vision with the public of what the place will look like then. The organisers hope to "spark further public discussion [on] urban planning choices being made today, and advocate for responsible and sustainable development".
Taking into account improved transport connections, building renovations, development and continuous "trendification", the people behind Beautiful Sai Wan want us to stop and consider "who wins and who loses out". They are looking for a plan that makes a contribution to culture and society by striking a balance between heritage preservation, environmental sustainability, economic viability and innovation.
Impossible? Maybe, but only entries whose implementation the judges believe to be feasible will be considered. Local residents and people who work in the area were asked to have their say on the area's future by filling out an online questionnaire last month. The results will be summarised and posted online next year.
Beautiful Sai Wan is co-organising the competition with XXX Gallery, an underground arts space on Des Voeux Road West. Registration is now open and submissions will be accepted until April 15.
The top entries will be displayed in a road show and the winning plan will be revealed at a gala presentation to government representatives, hosted by XXX Gallery.