Kowloon East: Hong Kong’s New Smart CBD

Abstract

Kowloon East is an area undergoing rapid transformation and comprises of Kwun Tong, Kowloon Bay and Kai Tak Development. The government planned Kowloon East area was developed and grew substantially as a manufacturing and logistics centre throughout the second half of the twentieth century. Changing economic and social circumstances at the end of the twentieth century pushed Hong Kong to reposition itself and its strengths in order to maintain its competitiveness in the global economy. A shift of the economy away from industrial manufacturing towards more commercial and financial services and through policy initiatives rezoning and favourable incentives attracted developers to the area. This effort resulted in the redevelopment and revitalization of the old industrial areas with the current transformation underway in Kowloon East. Long-term goals for the area are for Kowloon East to become the second central business district for Hong Kong, providing much needed new commercial space and office supply, with high-quality open spaces, and the promotion of the arts and cultural activities to ensure the continued growth and competitiveness of Hong Kong’s service-based economy. More recently, Kowloon East is also an area where Government started Smart City initiatives to ensure that the Kowloon East area is transformed in a smart and sustainable manner.