RICS Vision for Kowloon East: Work, Live and Play

Highlights of RICS recent policy submission to the Development Bureau with regard to Energizing Kowloon East Campaign

HONG KONG, June 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- A task force was formed by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Hong Kong with an aim to provide a more detailed policy framework on the subject of Decentralised Office Hubs. The task force has submitted a policy submission on Energizing Kowloon East to the Development Bureau of the HKSAR Government with an aim to maintain Hong Kong's competitiveness.

By referencing to London Docklands, Canary Wharf, Makuhari Messe in Tokyo and Singapore's Marina Bay, RICS Hong Kong recommends the government to develop Kowloon East with a long term vision of allowing people to "work, live and play" within the district and where the community ought to be fully engaged and integrated into the district's master urban planning over the next 15 to 20 years.

The RICS submission advocates 5 key objectives for Kowloon East:

1. Build Kowloon East into another prime business location but not another back office relocation option;
2. Build a mixed-use community where people can "Work, Live and Play";
3. Well-connected not only to the rest of Hong Kong but also within the area via multiple transportation modes;
4. Build tourist attraction with sufficient ancillary facilities, retail space, events capacity and heritage program; and
5. Offer rapid response to the shortage of residential and commercial property in the city so as to improve Hong Kong's competitiveness as Asia's World City.

"Changes to the existing regulatory regime will have to be made in expediting the redevelopment of the aging industrial district, "said Mr. David Faulkner, Task Force Chairman.  "We suggest that EKEO, the designated coordinating office, is given adequate powers and resources to streamline approval and regulatory procedures so that impetus is not lost through failure to deliver outcomes in a timely fashion."

RICS Hong Kong also recommends the newly inaugurated Energizing Kowloon East Office (EKEO) to consult with an advisory commission on Kowloon East Development comprised of district representatives, professional bodies, academics, overseas consultants and representatives from different industries operating within the district.

In the submission, a brand-new concept is recommended to be incorporated into the Kowloon East master-plan: Industrial Heritage Trail. RICS Hong Kong believes a "nodal" approach might be most appropriate with a series of small scale exhibitions close to MTR / Light rail / Monorail stations forming an "Industrial Heritage Trail" with a core display and co-ordinating educational/visitor centre, which could be accommodated in the newly opened EKEO premises.

About RICS & RICS Asia

RICS is the world's leading qualification when it comes to professional standards in land, property and construction. In a world where more and more people, governments, banks and commercial organisations demand greater certainty of professional standards and ethics, attaining RICS status is the recognised mark of property professionalism.

Over 100,000 property professionals working in the major established and emerging economies of the world have already recognised the importance of securing RICS status by becoming members.

RICS is an independent professional body that since 1868, has been committed to setting and upholding the highest standards of excellence and integrity - providing impartial, authoritative advice on key issues affecting businesses and society. RICS is a regulator of both its individual members and firms enabling it to maintain the highest standards and providing the basis for unparalleled client confidence in the sector.

The RICS Asia supports a network of over 11,000 individual professionals across the Asia region with an objective to help develop the property and construction markets in these countries, by introducing professional standards, best practice and international experience. It promotes RICS and its members as the natural advisors on all property matters. It also ensures that services and career development opportunities are provided to members.

The RICS North Asia region covers national associations and local groups located in, The People's Republic of China and the SAR Hong Kong. It also has members working across the region such as Japan, Macao, North Korea, South Korea, Taiwan, Mongolia, Nepal. The RICS ASEAN region covers national associations and local groups located in Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand with members working across the region in Burma/Myanmar, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kiribati, Laos PDR, The Maldives, The Philippines, Timor East and Vietnam

For more information, please visit: www.ricsasia.org

Media enquiry, please contact:

RICS Asia Public Relations Representative
Mr Andy Hung / Ms Polly Tsang
T: +852-2372-0090
F: +852-2372-0490
M: +852-9254-9250 / +852-6108-5435
E: andy@creativegp.com / polly@creativegp.com