Fantasy or reality? Hong Kong planners question government's vision of iconic 'tourism node' at former Kai Tak airport

Members of the government’s Town Planning Board have raised fears a proposed tourism hub at the tip of the former Kai Tak airport runway will become “just another property project” and encounter similar struggles to those seen by the controversial West Kowloon Cultural District.

The plan to build a 5.93-hectare “tourism node” was brought to the board for discussion today, more than two weeks after the Development Bureau’s Energising Kowloon East office invited prospective operators to submit non-committal business plans for the project.

The government has asked developers to submit plans that will fulfil social needs and be profitable. It is expected to put the site up for sale by tender next year.

READ MORE: Future Hong Kong vision: Kai Tak tourist hub moves closer to reality

Themed a “healthy city”, the project is part of the government’s “Kai Tak Fantasy” plan to develop the former airport site. The office has specified the site should provide greening, recreational and “edutainment” facilities while also featuring hotels, shops and facilities to be run by a developer or a consortium at its own cost.

At the meeting, many members said they felt confused about the purpose of the plan. Among them was Professor Ho Puay-peng, who said he found the government’s proposal lacked a focus.

“Are you encouraging people to jog there? Or are you building it as an attraction for tourists? … In the end it may end up a property project with hotels and a big shopping mall,” Ho said.

His colleague Stanley Wong Yuen-fai voiced doubts about the attractiveness of the proposed hub.