URA opens Multimedia Exploration Centre
The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, and the Chairman
of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), Mr Barry Cheung, today
(Friday) officiated at the opening ceremony of the Authority's
Urban Renewal Exploration Centre (UREC).
Featuring multimedia facilities and interactive activities, the
cyber-designed centre has on display exhibits and mock-up tenements
such as a caged home and a partitioned room, where visitors can
actually experience the poor living environment of residents in old
districts. Visitors are encouraged to offer opinions and
suggestions regarding the topic of urban renewal during their
visit.
At the opening ceremony, Mr Cheung said: "A key objective of the
Exploration Centre is to support and enhance public understanding
of the complex issue of urban renewal in Hong Kong. With
comprehensive information on the various problems and challenges,
members of the public, in particular the younger generation, would
be in a better position to consider the complexities involved and
to offer suggestions."
As the Government's Urban Renewal Strategy is currently under
review, the UREC is also meant to serve as an additional useful
platform for the community to exchange constructive views in an
informed setting, Mr Cheung noted.
Mr Cheung also emphasised the need for community engagement as
urban renewal affects society as a whole. He added: "We have to
strengthen communication with members of the public and ensure
up-to-date information is available. That would help allow for
public discussion that takes into account different, and sometimes
competing, perspectives. The URA will organise school visits and
activities at the UREC, such as forums and seminars in order to
maintain a two-way communication flow."
"Apart from arranging guided tours to the UREC for schools and
community groups, the URA has also produced teaching materials with
expert input from teachers on the topic of urban renewal. These
materials can be used as part of the school curricula for primary
and secondary schools in the new academic year," Mr Cheung
suggested.
Also attending the opening ceremony were members of the URA Board
and the URA District Advisory Committees, representatives of
government departments and school teachers.
Measuring about 4,000 square feet in area, the UREC is divided
into four zones: Mock-up tenements, Exhibition Hall,
Multimedia Games and Exchange Corner. The features of each zone are
detailed in the Annex.
Members of the public are encouraged to make appointments for
guided tours via the UREC website (www.urec.org.hk), or by
submitting a completed application form by fax or email.
Located at the headquarters of the URA (Room 601, 6/F, Low Block,
Grand Millennium Plaza, 181 Queen's Road Central), the UREC opens
from 10am to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays).
Admission is free and by appointment only. For enquiries, please
call 2588-2333, or visit the UREC website (www.urec.org.hk) for
details.
ENDS
Annex
1. Mock-up tenements
A visit to the centre begins with a tour of small and filthy
mock-up tenements such as caged homes, cubicles and cocklofts that
are homes to 110,000 unfortunate people. These tenements are
usually crowded, unsafe and without proper ventilation. Visitors
get a real-life experience of such living conditions, which
typically exist in dilapidated buildings.
2. Exhibition Hall
Leaving the appalling tenements, visitors come to a bright
and spacious exhibition hall where descriptive and informative
panels, and a model and video presentation have been set up to
offer visitors some information on the work of the URA, including
its vision and mission, the history and development of its 4Rs
(i.e. Redevelopment, rehabilitation, pRseravtion and
Revitalisation) strategy on urban renewal, as well as its newly
introduced green policy.
3. Multimedia Games
In order to provide visitors with simulated hands-on urban renewal
experience, various fun-based interactive multimedia games are
available. Visitors can experience the vibrancy that redevelopment
projects bring to the community, how rehabilitation projects have
improved the exterior and facilities of old buildings, the benefits
of adaptive re-use of buildings with historical and architectural
value, and the synergistic effects that come with revitalisation
initiatives.
4. Exchange Corner
At the end of the tour, visitors come to a communication hall
where they can exchange views regarding urban renewal, and any
particular issues that they may wish to raise for discussion after
the visit. The venue is dialogue-friendly in design as it is
well-equipped with relevant multimedia facilities.