Date/Time
Date(s): 03/11/2016
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location
City Gallery, Central
Language: English
Admission: Free
Event Partner(s): (see "collaborators")
Speaker(s):Mrs. Carrie Lam, Chief Secretary of the Government of the HKSAR; Mrs. Maria Vassilakou, Deputy Mayor and Vice-Governor of Vienna, Executive City Councillor for Urban Planning, Traffic & Transport, Climate Protection, Energy and Public Participation; Dr. Claudia Reinprecht, Consul General of Austria
Part I: Opening Ceremony
Welcome remarks by Prof. H. Werner Hess
Deputy Director, European Union Academic Programme Hong Kong;
Dr. Claudia Reinprecht
Consul-General of Austria in Hong Kong & Macao
Opening Remark by Mrs. Carrie Lam (click to read full speech)
Chief Secretary for Administration of the Government of the HKSAR
(click below to view the video)
Opening Remark by Mrs. Maria Vassilakou
Deputy Mayor and Vice-Governor of Vienna, Executive City Councillor for Urban Planning, Traffic & Transport, Climate Protection, Energy and Public Participation
Opening Remark by Prof. Rick Wong
Vice-President (Research and Development), Hong Kong Baptist University
Exhibition “City Smart Development in Europe: Vienna” officially opens to showcase the city’s smart solutions and to launch Vienna – Hong Kong dialogue on urban innovations
The opening ceremony of the exhibition “City Smart Development in Europe: Vienna” was officially held on 3 November at City Gallery. Organized by the European Union Academic Programme and co-organized with the Austrian Consulate General and City Gallery, the exhibition presents a vision of smart development, strategic planning and liveability of the city of Vienna. The opening also marks the launch of the 3rd edition of “Urban Innovations” – a series of events focused on exchange of expertise and dialogue between Hong Kong and European cities.
Officiating guests included Mrs. Carrie Lam, Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR Government; Mrs. Maria Vassilakou, Deputy Mayor and Vice-Governor of Vienna, Executive City Councillor for Urban Planning, Traffic & Transport, Climate Protection, Energy and Public Participation; and Prof. Rick Wong, Vice-President (Research and Development) of Hong Kong Baptist University. The guests of honour were Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po, Secretary for Development of the HKSAR Government; Dr. Claudia Reinprecht, Consul General of Austria to Hong Kong and Macao; Ms. Carmen Cano Head of EU Office to Hong Kong; Mr. K.K. Ling, Director of Planning, Planning Department of the HKSAR Government; Prof. Adrian J. Bailey, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences; and Prof. Jean-Pierre Cabestan, Director-General of EUAP. The ceremony saw attendance of over 150 participants from the HKSAR Government, diplomatic bodies, business community, civil society and academia.
In the opening remarks, Prof. Hans Werner Hess, Deputy Director of EUAP, said that “Urban Innovations aims to bring information about Europe to Hong Kong and also offer a platform for discussion among different urban communities”. He explained that this year’s focus on Vienna is dictated by the city’s outstanding performance in providing high quality of life based on long term sustainability oriented urban planning.
Mrs. Carrie Lam welcomed the opportunity to share experiences with experts from Vienna and expressed the HKSAR Government commitment to smart development of Hong Kong, as well as determination to make the city liveable, competitive and sustainable. She said that a city’s liveability “is not just about the physical environment, but all elements that contribute to the quality of life and well-being of its people.” (click to read the full speech)
Mrs. Maria Vassilakou mentioned that Vienna makes its key priority to develop innovative solutions, ensure social inclusion, and preserve natural resources. She stressed that what distinguishes Vienna’s approach from other cities is that, apart from focus on technology and environmental targets, its utmost goal is to engage all its inhabitants and guarantee that nobody’s needs are neglected.
Prof. Rick Wong said that “Urban Innovations” series contributes to bringing in international experience and can help to initiate future improvements to the life of society in Hong Kong and Europe. He expressed hope for stronger international cooperation between the two, especially between young people and students who will soon shape development processes in their cities.
The official opening was followed by the talk “Hong Kong – Vienna Dialogue: Public Space”, in which Mrs. Maria Vassilakou and Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po presented and discussed their respective perspectives on future development and qualities of public spaces in Vienna and Hong Kong.
《維也納城市智慧》展覽揭幕 展示都市創新方案促進雙城對談
《香港-維也納對話：維也納城智慧-歐洲都市發展新視野》展覽開幕禮在十一月三日傍晚於中環展城館舉行。展覽由香港歐洲聯盟學術計劃(EUAP)主辦、奧地利駐香港及澳門總領事館及展城館合辦，旨在展示維也納發展為智慧城市的願景、其策略性規劃及城市宜居度等等。是次開幕禮亦標誌著第三屆《都市創新》系列正式揭幕 — 透過一連串活動促進香港及歐洲城市的對話及專業交流。
今屆開幕典禮的主禮嘉賓包括香港特別行政區政務司司長林鄭月娥女士、維也納副市長兼(負責城市規劃、交通運輸、氣候保護、能源及公眾參與)兼市議員Maria Vassilakou女士及香港浸會大學副校長(研究及拓展)黃偉國教授；而出席的榮譽嘉賓則包括香港特區發展局局長陳茂波先生、奧地利駐香港及澳門總領事任珮雅博士、歐洲聯盟駐香港及澳門辦事處主任卡門卡諾女士、香港特區規劃署署長凌嘉勤太平紳士、香港浸會大學社會科學院院長貝力行教授及EUAP總監暨浸大政治及國際關係學系主任高敬文教授。開幕典禮吸引了大約一百五十名來自政府、學界和商界人士以及學生出席，場面熱鬧。
在開幕致詞中，EUAP副總監暨浸大政治及國際關係學系 H. Werner Hess教授提及《都市創新》系列目標不只是為香港及歐洲帶來資訊，更提供了一個讓城內不同社群討論的平台。他指出今年活動將會聚焦在維也納傑出的可持續城市規劃上，以及如何為市民帶來優質的生活。
林鄭月娥女士樂於跟來自維也納的專家分享經驗，表明了香港特區政府對本地智慧發展的承諾，以及對把香港成更宜居、更具競爭力及可持續城市的決心。她認為城市的宜居度「不只關乎實際環境，應該包含所有影響著市民生活質素及福祉的元素。」
Maria Vassilakou女士提及維也納的首位任務是發展創新方案、確保社會包容及保育自然資源。她強調，維也納能夠從一眾城市中鶴立雞群，除了因為專注在科技及環境目標上，城市的最終目標是使所有市民參與其中及確保他們的需要不會被忽略。
黃偉國教授認為《都市創新》系列成功帶來了國際經驗，有助香港和歐洲社會進一步提高生活質素。他表示有望香港及維也納能夠提高雙方之間的國際合作，尤其在青少年和學生層面，因為他們將會作為社會的棟樑塑造著城市的發展。
開幕儀式結束後，講座《香港-維也納對話：公共空間》隨即進行，邀得維也納副市長Maria Vassilakou女士及陳茂波先生就各自城市在未來發展及公共空間質素上的願景作簡介以及討論。
Part II: Exhibition Opening Talk
Hong Kong – Vienna Dialogue: Visions for the City of the Future – Public Spaces”
Speakers:
- Prof. H. Werner Hess, Deputy Director, EUAP (Introduction)
- Mrs. Maria Vassilakou, Deputy Mayor and Vice-Governor of Vienna, Executive City Councillor for Urban Planning, Traffic & Transport, Climate Protection, Energy and Public Participation
- Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po, Secretary for Development of the HKSAR Government
___________________________________________________________________________
Synopsis
The speakers outlined ideas guiding the development and design of public spaces in Vienna and Hong Kong.
Hong Kong _______________________________________________________________
Mrs. Maria Vassilakou said that the planning of public spaces in Vienna followed a simple principle: If it is good for children, it is good for everyone (e.g. safety, clean environment, free movement). She opined that public spaces, rather than buildings, constitute the heart of the city, even though the latter may possess great architectural qualities. The general walkability of the city should be a major indicator for successful urban development. Viennese planning therefore emphasizes issues of accessibility, usability, and socially inclusive design. Through concrete examples Mrs. Vassilakou could explain that Vienna pays considerable attention to ‘opening up’ its streets to citizens by permanent or temporary closures to car traffic and the organization of public events and private initiatives in such zones. The city also encourages co-creation and participatory planning.
Vienna _______________________________________________________________
Mr. Paul Chan Mo-po presented Hong Kong efforts in opening up more public spaces for better liveability in its high density environment. As an example, he discussed an Energizing Kowloon East Office project, which redeveloped large spaces under the Kwun Tong Bypass and transformed them into multiple-use public areas and an informal performance venue for young local citizens. Further examples were the development of the old Kai Tak Runway Park and the opening up of (parts of) the Hong Kong Island Waterfront for pedestrians and cyclists. He also made reference to the robust development project of the West Kowloon Cultural District, which already provides a large-scale venue for cultural activities and recreation
Mr. Chan drew attention to a shift in the HK Government’s approach: Citizens are now encouraged to take part in the planning of common urban spaces for a variety of leisure time purposes.
Discussion _______________________________________________________________
The speakers’ presentations were followed by a discussion on types and sources of data collected for planning and measuring the quality of public spaces, as well as accessibility of information to the public. The speakers commented on differences in the scale of projects and the general approach of the two cities. As Vienna already has the essential infrastructure in place, it concentrates more on citizen-centric details and further densification in the city. Hong Kong, by contrast, is still in the process of working out long-term infrastructure plans and large-scale undertakings
Photos:
For information of the Exhibition please visit: http://euap.hkbu.edu.hk/series/eventpage/exhibition2016-17/
有關是次展覽的詳情，請參閱 http://euap.hkbu.edu.hk/series/eventpage/exhibition2016-17/
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Bookings
This event is fully booked.