'Cool' Hollywood makeover for Kowloon City

Kowloon City will be developed into "one of the world's coolest neighborhoods" and best travel destinations like Hollywood Road in Sheung Wan and Central, the Urban Renewal Authority said.

URA managing director Wai Chi-sing said in his blog yesterday that the authority has analyzed 30 streets globally, including Hollywood Road, which earned the prestigious title of the "second coolest street in the world" in Time Out Magazine in March.

Wai hoped the Hollywood Road example could similarly be applied to the Kowloon City district.

"The coolest streets have one thing in common - they all have at least one unique mural to attract tourists through artistic creation," he said.

The URA subsidized the beautification of the external walls of eight buildings in Kowloon City and invited 45 artists to submit mural proposals to show the culture of the district, Wai said.

The murals, with themes of Chaozhou, Thailand, and the old Kai Tak Airport, will then be painted on building walls and entrances, as well as shop signs.

Wai said the first mural will be painted on Jenford Building on South Wall Road with the theme of Thai culture. It will be completed by the second quarter of next year at the earliest.

The authority will also use bricks of different colors on the pedestrian roads in Kowloon City and beautify electricity boxes on the street, he said.

"We will resurface parts of the driveway with blue anti-skid dressing to create the effect of the sky being cast on the ground, bringing back old memories of residents looking up at the sky and witnessing planes gliding overhead," Wai added.

He also said the authority encourages merchants in the district to stay there so that visitors can continue to taste authentic Chaozhou and Thai food.

"Kowloon City has many unique shops, attracting visitors with different purposes day or night," Wai said.

"The gathering of characteristic shops highlights the district's uniqueness and creates a business atmosphere. Our team attaches great importance to preserving the existing shops."

Wai said the URA faced hurdles when revitalizing the district as it had to consult many government departments to adjust the design for the public.

It has also consulted visually impaired persons during the redesign.

wallis.wang@singtaonewscorp.com

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