The HKIUD supports Hong Kong's bid to host the Asian Games in 2023 as a means to redefine and promote Hong Kong's city image, to improve city design, to foster regeneration and to achieve community benefits.

1. City Image

Just as the West Kowloon Cultural District will promote Hong Kong's image in the international community as cultural centre, the Asian Games can achieve the same for sport and to promote a new image of a healthy lifestyle in Hong Kong.

After a long post colonial period, Hong Kong can now change its image as a metropolitan city. The new spirit and lifestyle for Hong Kong people, especially its younger generation, can be for healthy living with the essential and active participation of the community. In this way, the Asian Games can be part of a wider healthy living agenda which can include more community programmes and facilities to encourage sports participation in general under a 'sport for all' banner as well as introducing more international events into the sporting calendar (e.g. for mass team sports such as soccer to prestigious events such as sailing regattas).

2. Design and Regeneration

The Asian Games Consultation paper proposes that the majority of events can make use of existing facilities. This is both a more environmentally sustainable and economic approach. Where existing facilities require refurbishment, then opportunities should be taken to enhance the appearance, setting, public realm, greening and neighborhood connectivity of these facilities.

Similar principles should be applied in the design of new facilities and which should be located on ‘brownfield’ sites to minimise environmental impacts and to take advantage of available infrastructure. This is already the case with the new sports stadium complex to be built on Kai Tak and this principle should also be applied in the site selection criteria for the proposed ‘athletes village’ comprising 3,000 flat units. This site for the village should be located close to existing community, transport and other facilities if, as is stated, it is ultimately to be used for private housing. ‘BEAM Plus’ certification should be targeted for this and other new facilities to be built for the Asian Games.

The success of cities such as London in winning bids for the Olympic Games is also dependent on the games leaving a meaningful legacy as well as being ‘green’ and ensuring that waste is minimised. The Asian Games offers opportunities for urban regeneration which will achieve other social, economic and environmental objectives. The new Kai Tak ‘Sports City’ for example, could be designed to favour integration with the adjoining districts of To Kwa Wan and Kowloon City. This could be achieved both physically by applying careful urban design principles and, when operation commences, by offering local employment opportunities and a focus for sports and community services.

3. Community Involvement

We note that the cost of the Asian Games has caused controversy in the community. If the money is well spent however, the games can achieve substantial community benefits. The government should work closely with the community in forming its proposals. The HKIUD can offer advice in securing community ‘buy-in’ for the games and for building on social capital.

4. Conclusion

We reiterate our support for the games and conclude with the responses to the questions set out in section 39 of the consultation paper.

• Do you think hosting the Asian Games will help our athletes to achieve higher standards of performance?
  Yes, if the games are part of the wider community aim to promote healthy living.

• Do you think hosting the Asian Games will be an important milestone for the development of sport in Hong Kong?
  Yes, Hong Kong has not held such a major event before. The games can also be a milestone in terms of sustainable design.

• Would it be in Hong Kong’s overall interest, in sport development, social and economic terms, to host the Asian Games in 2023, having regard to the cost and other relevant considerations?
  Yes, if the legacy of the games and potential to regenerate the city after the games have ended can be achieved and sustained.

The HKIUD would be happy to be invited to comment on and to contribute to the progress of the Asian Games proposal.