The 21st century is the era of knowledge-based and creative economies. Many countries have been active in developing this aspect of their economies, providing new cultural facilities and fostering creative talent. Hong Kong must continually strive to keep pace.

The West Kowloon Cultural District has a pivotal role to play in the arts and cultural development of Hong Kong. This historic project will not only provide an architectural landmark for Hong Kong's waterfront, but will be a hub for local and international creative talent.

Clustering effect

An integrated approach to planning and management will ensure the district is community-driven - a vibrant collaboration between the arts and cultural sectors and the business community. The clustering of arts and commercial facilities means more people will participate, and this means a smarter, more creative Hong Kong.

By grouping together museums, theatres, exhibition halls, an amphitheatre and public piazzas, the district will provide a vibrant atmosphere and creative buzz that will put Hong Kong on the world arts and cultural map.

Visitors to the district will be able to roam under the magnificent canopy and enjoy a range of international and local arts programmes - drama, fine arts, music, stand-up comedy, graphic arts, film, fashion, design, et cetera.

Combining arts and culture with cutting-edge design, popular entertainment and hip retail outlets, the district will draw people from all sectors of the community as well as attract international visitors.

It will be a place of equality and inclusiveness where the creative industries and commercial sector will complement each other and bring in sustainable revenues.

In 1998, the Planning Department commissioned Roger Tym and Partners, a consultancy specialising in planning and the economics of development, and the Social Sciences Research Centre of the University of Hong Kong to conduct a consultancy study, "Cultural Facilities: A Study on their Requirements and the Formulation of New Planning Standards and Guidelines". (Findings were released in December 1999, for a summary, click here).

World centre for arts

The study looked at the cultural needs of Hong Kong up to 2011 - what facilities were needed and the appropriate planning standards for these facilities.

The consultants undertook background studies, surveys and consultations (including a survey of public attitudes towards cultural participation, a survey of facility users, interviews with those involved in the arts and a discussion forum). They also took into account international experience, assessed demand and identified key issues.

One of the five themes in the study was the proposal to adopt a street-level "arts district" approach, that is, the clustering of cultural facilities, arts activities and supporting services, entertainment, hotel and retail/restaurant outlets to encourage greater participation by residents and visitors. This vibrant district would establish Hong Kong as a world centre for the arts.

The report also recommended private participation in the development and management of new cultural facilities. With the commercial sector's flexibility and room to manoeuvre, the district can introduce a creative management strategy and draw in management expertise, adding a metropolitan feel to the cultural district.

The international managers, working in collaboration with the local cultural sector, will ensure a viable and sustainable centre for arts and culture, while maintaining the district's local flavour.

The Government's role will be neither to fund construction of the development, nor to provide direct financial support, nor even involvement in the management, for the software. It will, instead, be to set up a network of cultural and commercial interests and to develop a promotions strategy.

The district will see Hong Kong break away from its old practice of providing funding to adopt a new model of arts administration.

Under this new management concept, the community will take the lead. Arts and culture will co-exist with commerce and entertainment on a mutually beneficial basis. The business sector will build a partnership with the cultural sector to promote arts development.

The district will co-ordinate with Hong Kong's overall cultural facilities. Exchanges between audience, artists and arts groups in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta will enhance cultural co-operation in the region.

Centre of cultural value-adding

In this increasingly globalised world, the traditional mode of operation of public venues can no longer cater to the sophisticated, international tastes of Hong Kong audiences and visitors.

Commercial and creative industries have long collaborated in Hong Kong's free-market environment, and today, the differences between "profit-making" and "non-profit-making" organisations are hard to distinguish.

In this environment, it is increasingly difficult for the Government to participate in the management of cultural venues with high commercial viability as "non-profit-making" ventures. And the Government's involvement in profit-making enterprises has never met the expectations of the public.

So clearly, a better option is to let the private sector participate in the provision and management of cultural facilities under the monitoring of the Government.

Upon China's accession to the World Trade Organisation, Hong Kong, with its free and open economy and well-developed infrastructure, should grasp the opportunity to become China's cultural exchange hub.

By bringing in more professional management and corporate participation, pooling cultural programmes and developing an innovative mode of management for its cultural venues, the district will become a meeting point for East and West cultures.

This innovative management model will sweep away the outmoded public administration of cultural activities and stimulate the development of our creative industries. It is a model that can spread to other service industries, transforming Hong Kong into a truly global economy.