Creative Principles

Six personalities of Kai Tak are distilled from the keywords collected from workshop participants. These values form the Creative Principles of the Public Creatives study from which the identity of KTD and subsequent design development would be developed.

The six personalities together form a multi-dimensional matrix of Kai Tak.

Strong Rooted

Kai Tak's strong root to the past is undeniable. The history of Kai Tak and neighbouring districts is what makes the area so rich and layered, giving it depth, connecting the local populace to it through toil and soil, tears and laughter.

Future-Driven

Kai Tak is also future-driven. Lung Tsun Stone Bridge was the gateway leading people into the enclosed Kowloon Walled City, connecting the area to the rest of the world. Kai Tak is a symbolic extension of this gateway which can be seen as a presentation of the optimism in Hong Kong in the 50s to 70s. The comprehensive plan of KTD is in itself a very systematic and forward-thinking design.

Energetic

Kai Tak is a place of vibrancy. The vigour of the people is reflected in the emergence of squatter huts in Wong Tai Sin, the tapping of electricity and water supply in the Kowloon Walled City, the flourishing industries in Kwun Tong and so on. The old Kai Tak was ready to take on any challenges and turn them into opportunities. It always solved problems coming up with its own solutions. The new Kai Tak is similarly ambitious. KTD is a visionary plan, the first in Hong Kong aiming to create a new standard of living for the 21st century citizen.

Natural/Healthy

A third of KTD is made up of open space with a lot of green area. It brings nature to the people. It gives space for city dwellers to breathe and rest. It is relaxing and laidback. KTD represents this vitality to involve nature and the people. Three new hospitals are planned in KTD to provide the local populace and the whole of Hong Kong with excellent medical services. Schools and community centres are to be built, bringing up the younger generation and looking after the well-being of our citizens.

Open/Welcoming

KTD is outgoing and flexible. It is a creative place, always open to new input and exchange of ideas. It welcomes experimentations of new forms of art and culture and new ways of human interaction. There are a lot of possibilities with the huge area of open spaces and access to the Victoria Harbour.

Connector

Kai Tak has always been a symbol of connectivity and efficiency. The Kai Tak airport became the 3rd busiest airport for international passengers in 1996. The cruise terminal and heliport continues to bring in people from abroad, carrying on its role as connecting Hong Kong with the world. With the continuation of this function, Kai Tak is not only a connector on a physical sense, but also in a temporal sense, connecting us to the roots and pointing us ahead to the future.