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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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In the case of the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Centre, the scale of the project looks is very much one such that there has been more frequent consultation. A model and sketch were first presented to the former Cultural Complex and Indoor Stadia Sub-Committee for approval in August 1977, prior to the upgrading of the project from Category B to Category A in the Public Works Programme. Subsequent to that, on another five occasions, the Council was also consulted on refinements to the plans, through:
(a) the same sub-committee in July 1978, May 1980 and February 1981.
(b) the Capital Works Select Committee in May 1981, and
(c) the Culture and Entertainment Select Committee in 1983.
Additionally there were presentations of the schedule of finishes in July 1983 and the acoustic models of the auditoria in January 1984.
MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English):--Mr. Chairman, one man's meat and another man's poison, so it is difficult to please everybody as far as the outlook of a building is concerned. But the outlook of a building really has nothing to do with its ability to function properly. On the point of whether it will have a proper logo and so on, I am sure that once the building is finished, the unique design itself is a sort of logo and I am sure the project architect eventually will agree to having a proper sign put up.
MR. FREDERICK FUNG (in Cantonese): —Mr. Chairman, I have two questions. The first one is in the consultation process, has the Government provided a model or more than one model for us to consider?
MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English):-I think since this was done by the Government, we were presented with one design for our approval. It is not a competition, therefore, there really is no reason to have more than one design.
In April 1985, a Civic Centres Planning Sub-Committee was set up under the Culture Select Committee and the Building Development Department was represented in the Sub-Committee to advise Councillors on the progress of construction and any special points relating to the fitting-out of the Centre. It can be seen that the Council has in fact been fully consulted either directly or through the Urban Services Department on the design of the Cultural Centre.
As regards public information, just before construction started in November 1984, the Building Development Department held a press conference which was very well attended and covered by members of the mass media. The project architects were also interviewed on radio and television. Hence, the public should be aware of the responsibility and involvement of the Building Development Department in this project.
The regular liaison and monitoring over progress of this will continue through an inter-departmental group and Council will be consulted and apprised as appropriate.
MR. SZULKE (in English): I am obliged by the answer, does the answer mean the chairman of that select committee is really satisfied if we are going to get a building which we can use?
MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English):-I think within financial constraints and other factors, the building should be workable.
MR. SZULKE (in English):—The main criticism seems to be of the looks and that the criticism that was made to the Coliseum. On the Coliseum we were not allowed to put our own logo, are we going to have similar problems with this building?
MR. FREDERICK FUNG (in Cantonese):-Mr. Chairman, I hope members would not mind if I take up a bit more time. I was not a member of the Urban Council during the consultation process. Now I think MR. SZULKE's question is rightly asked because for a building of such magnitude, I do not think we should be only given one model for consideration because that is really a Hobson's choice and we will have to take it, even if we do not like it, we have to take it. This is not a consultation process, it is really forcing on us that we have to accept and I hope in future if we have such cultural complexes or buildings of a similar magnitude, I think the Government should at least provide more than one model for us to consider and only then can we be said to have been consulted, that is my first point. Can we on behalf of our committees ask the Government, so that we can make our own decision on future building complexes?
MR. LAWRENCE FUNG (in English):-I think the ideal solution is we pay for our own project then we can design any way we like. But since the bulk of money comes from the Central Government, there is a cliche that 'those who pay the piper calls the tune', so unfortunately, I think, you know, rather than deprive the Hong Kong citizen of facilities, we will occasionally have to take the back seat in order to have our facilities built.
MR. BERNACCHI (in English):-Many years ago, I was myself on a sub-committee, possibly it was the Civic Centre Sub-Committee, that considered the location and the design of the Civil Centre, I do not think it really has been changed very much since all those years ago.
MR. AUGUSTINE CHUNG (in Cantonese):—Mr. Chairman, if the Government is responsible for the bulk of the capital cost then of course they provide us with the design, but we are responsible for the maintenance of the building, if the ...
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