We are talking about an extremely large-scale enterprise even for a typical metropolis, but if we take into account the shortage of land in Hong Kong, then the 40 hectares of land allocated for new development in the area of its harbor is something completely extraordinary. In 1999-2006, Foster was already working on the master plan for West Kowloon, but then the project was closed to resume again in 2009, when the newly invited British architect was complemented by Koolhaas and local "star" Im. The projects of all three will be judged by the local community, but time will show how much of its opinion will be taken into account by officials and investors.
Norman Foster went along, perhaps, the obvious, but also the most pleasant way for residents: his plan, covering 23 hectares and called "City Park", on 19 hectares consists of a park, surrounded by a wide promenade on the side of the sea, which for the first time will give an opportunity Hong Kongers enjoy the famous land view of their city. Among the greenery, 17 cultural and near-cultural institutions planned by customers will be erected (an opera house, an ultra-modern art museum M +, an arena for 15,000 spectators, an exhibition center, various theaters, art schools and universities, etc.). There is also a commercial program (hotels, offices, housing) and small-scale development - shops, restaurants, galleries.
Rem Koolhaas organized all the various structures of Western Kowloon into three “villages” familiar to the inhabitants of Hong Kong. The eastern one will house M +, an exhibition center, an "art factory" with colleges, artists' workshops, a hotel and shops. The middle will house small galleries, studios, theaters, markets, shops, as well as a premiere cinema and the Xiqui Center dedicated to Chinese traditional theater. In the western village there will be an arena and a theater center, which will unite 4 halls of different types and functions, as well as various utility rooms. All three villages will be surrounded by the New Horizon Park, which will include agricultural land, including gardens, fish ponds, meadows and “urban farms”. It should be noted that Koolhaas's project will not only be shown in Hong Kong this fall (like the projects of his rivals), but also will be solemnly presented at the Venice Biennale.
Rocco Im, being a native of Hong Kong, paid much more attention than Foster and Koolhaas to the transport problem - how West Kowloon will be connected to the city, airport, mainland, what bridges, access roads, parking lots and routes of what public transport will need to be created for its full functioning. He also more than the other two contestants tackled the issue of resource efficiency and "sustainability" of the new district. His plan itself is relatively simple: the closest to the city will be housing, offices (including representative offices of various cultural organizations) and hotels, then there will be a "cultural core" with most of the theatrical, exhibition and educational institutions. In the outer part of the district, near the water, a green zone will be arranged, and some theaters will also be located there.
