The Urban Renewal Authority is seeking views on the three design concepts for rejuvenating Kwun Tong town centre into a modern and vibrant hub for Kowloon East.

The design themes are:

* Metamorphosis - a simple straightforward design concept that evolves from the traditional town centre to form a new oasis, merging street culture and an enjoyable shopping environment;

* Civic Hub - a civic square is the focal point of the development, aiming to create a quality town centre and to enhance its presence and identity in East Kowloon; and,

* A New Centre for East Kowloon, the Model City of Tomorrow - a new town centre for Kwun Tong and East Kowloon, with a new focus on community life.

The authority's Managing Director Billy Lam said the project, the largest single redevelopment scheme the authority has ever undertaken, covers 5.3 hectares with over 1,600 property interests, affecting 4,500 residents and costing nearly $30 billion. It will take 12 years or more to complete.

Mega project

Noting the mega project is a huge challenge for both the authority and the community, Mr Lam said both parties will work closely. To ensure success, five guiding principles are essential:

* wide public consultation and full community participation in planning and design;

* adopting a creative and visionary design for a modern town centre serving as a model for quality living and as the commercial, transportation, retail and activities hub for East Kowloon;

* phased development to minimise impact and sustain the economic vibrancy of the area;

* understanding and acceptance of the authority's prevailing compensation and rehousing policies by those affected; and,

* prudent financing strategy to ensure the project's financial viability and sustainability.

Comprehensive facilities

The authority's Kwun Tong District Advisory Committee Chairman David Lung said three rounds of consultations have been conducted in the last 18 months.

Emerging from the surveys, committee discussions and the workshop is a consensus that the future town centre should provide comprehensive public facilities, a commercial hub with a landmark building, quality residential space, enlarged open space, culture and recreation facilities, plenty of greenery and an efficient transport interchange.

This round of public consultation, lasting for two months, will begin with a roadshow of the three proposed design models at 71 Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong on Thursday. The roadshow will end on August 31 and be staged at 'apm' Office Tower Lobby from September 2 to 9, Tseung Kwan O Metro City Plaza II from September 19 to 20, and Yau Tong Lei Yue Mun Plaza from September 25 to 27.

Reaching out

The authority will brief community groups and conduct opinion surveys at the roadshows and briefing sessions.

It will then form a final proposal based on community feedback, and policy and financial considerations, for submission to the Town Planning Board by the end of March.

The existing town centre was planned and constructed in the early 1960s to serve a mere 60,000 population. Today, Kwun Tong's population has soared to over 600,000.