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Speaking at the Ceremony, Managing Director of the URA Ar. Donald Choi emphasised that collaboration across various sectors and disciplines is crucial for creating quality living spaces and a livable environment for the city and benefiting both the broader community and residents. It cannot be achieved by the Government or the URA alone.
President of The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Hon. Julia Lau remarks that the competition brought together outstanding talents from multiple professional fields, who fully utilised the new planning tools to propose urban renewal solutions for the Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok districts that are both creative and feasible.
Jury Panel Chairman Ir. Wai Chi-sing recognises the achievements of the winners.
Ar. Donald Choi (2nd from right), Hon. Julia Lau (centre) and District Officer (Yau Tsim Mong) Eric Lee (3rd from right) present the 1st Award to the winning team of Site Area 1: Area around Central Urban Park in Mong Kok.
Ar. Donald Choi (1st from right), Hon. Julia Lau (1st from left) and District Officer (Yau Tsim Mong) Eric Lee (4th from left) present the 1st Award to the winning team of Site Area 2: Area around the Heritage Park in Yau Ma Tei.
The Award Presentation Ceremony for the “Urban Renewal Design Ideas Competition - The District Study for Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok” gathers over 100 industry professionals to celebrate the winning entries.  
27 Jan 2026

Award Presentation Ceremony as the Finale for the “Urban Renewal Design Ideas Competition – The District Study for Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok” Showcases Cross-disciplinary Professional Teams Creativity in Building a Livable City

The Award Presentation Ceremony for the “Urban Renewal Design Ideas Competition - The District Study for Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok”, jointly organised by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) and The Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA), was successfully held this evening (27 January 2026) at Central Market.  The event brought together over 100 industry professionals to celebrate the winning entries.  The award-winners shared how multidisciplinary collaboration, combined with professional expertise, experience and creativity, can translate the Master Renewal Concept Plans (MRCP) set out in the URA’s District Study for Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok (YMDS) into feasible urban and architectural designs through the use of new planning tools.

Based on the YMDS, the competition required participants to apply the new planning tools introduced in the YMDS and integrate the four urban renewal approaches - redevelopment, rehabilitation, preservation and revitalisation to conceptualise creative designs that align with the MRCPs. 

Co-organised by the URA and HKIA, the competition aimed to encourage cross-disciplinary professional engagement in urban renewal.  Through concrete design proposals, it sought to visualise urban planning and renewal concepts, making the benefits of urban renewal more accessible and understandable to the public, thereby fostering broader social dialogue and collective participation in advancing sustainable urban development.

The competition received a strong response, with a total of 35 entries from local, Chinese Mainland and international teams.  The teams comprised multidisciplinary professionals spanning architecture, urban planning, surveying and other fields related to urban renewal.  Their entries demonstrated a thorough understanding and creative interpretation of the YMDS.

Recognising Outstanding Entries and Industry Talents

Speaking at the Ceremony, Managing Director of the URA Ar. Donald Choi stated that the YMDS adopts a “planning-led, district-based” approach in the formulation of three MRCPs with varying development densities for the Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok districts, exploring long-term and sustainable solutions for urban renewal.  The study also introduces new planning tools such as transfer of plot ratio and street consolidation area, aiming to implement the MRCPs through innovative thinking and mechanisms.

Choi emphasised, “To implement the recommendations and proposals outlined in the MRCPs, thereby creating quality living spaces and a livable environment for the city and benefiting both the broader community and residents, it is essential that this initiative is not undertaken by the Government or the URA alone. Collaboration across various sectors and disciplines is crucial to achieving these goals. Through this competition, we aim to bring together diverse professional expertise, experience, and creativity to apply new planning tools in real urban design, advancing the implementation of the MRCPs and truly demonstrating the value of these tools in the actual environment.”

Choi acknowledged the invaluable support and insights from HKIA in making the competition a success.  He also highlighted the cross-disciplinary judging panel, comprising seasoned professionals from architecture, engineering, planning, and landscape architecture, for conducting a multi‑dimensional assessment of the entries.  Their expertise ensured that the winning entries fully reflect the importance of engaging diverse stakeholders in the practice of urban renewal.  

In her address, President of The Hong Kong Institute of Architects Hon. Julia Lau stated, “The competition fully demonstrated the collaborative power of architects and various professionals.  The submission entries were not only creative but also fully utilised the innovative planning tools proposed in the YMDS, providing forward-looking designs for the renewal of the Yau Mong Districts.”

Harnessing Collective Insights to Showcase Creative Vision

The competition was divided into two zones - the area around Central Urban Park in Mong Kok and the area around the Heritage Park in Yau Ma Tei.  Based on criteria including alignment with the YMDS MRCPs, application of planning tools, innovation, local character preservation, sustainability, practicality, and functionality, the jury panel selected the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Award winners in each zone, along with eight Commendation Awards to recognise outstanding proposals. 

The winning entries demonstrated a wealth of creativity in:

  • optimising high-density development through the vertical city concept;
  • utilising planning tools, including transfer of plot ratio, to create more public space and maximise land use efficiency;
  • integrating historical and cultural elements with modern urban functions; and
  • establishing a cohesive green pedestrian network.

Extending Creative Outcomes to Promote Public Awareness

The winning entries will be exhibited at 618 Shanghai Street in Mong Kok from 30 January to 5 February, showcasing how urban design can shape a more livable living environment and enhancing public awareness of urban renewal issues.

The full list of award recipient is provided in the competition website: https://www.ymdscompetition.com/en/event_album#exhibition

 

(ENDS)

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