In 2006, for financial, economic and political reasons, the development of Norman Foster's plan was discontinued, which envisaged the closure of a new district of cultural institutions in West Kowloon with a huge "tent" of 25 hectares. At that time, it seemed that both developers and officials had cooled off to the idea of turning 40 hectares of vacant lots into a zone of parks, museums and theaters surrounded by commercial buildings.
But now a new competition has been announced, in which Foster will again participate (however, the organizers stressed that there is no longer any talk of a giant overlap), as well as Rem Koolhaas and prominent Hong Kong architect Rocco Yim.
Architects have been instructed to develop their own versions of the general layout of the area, the best of which will be determined by the Hong Kong public in early 2010. It is assumed that already in 2011 the winner will submit a detailed project for approval to the authorities, and construction will begin in 2012.
