BUILDING A CULTURAL DISTRICT IN HONG KONG: FROM VISION TO REALITY

The creation of a cultural district requires the synchronization of many moving parts and key players. This paper includes a literature review investigating published work on the incentives for cities to create cultural districts, the main elements that define a cultural district, as well as the key players and concepts its creation. Following the literature review is a research thesis on the West Kowloon Cultural District in Hong Kong, covering the origin, objectives, progress and more of this development. Cultural districts are on many cities' radars and development plans in recent years. The West Kowloon Cultural District is one of the biggest of its kind in recent history, and certainly in Asia. The Hong Kong case was chosen based on its unique combination of challenges, opportunities, and support from the government, and this is timely as it is currently gaining incredible momentum.