Kwun Tong: Town Planning and Urban Renewal

Experiences for educators

Gallery

Once a quiet landscape of salt pans supplying revenue to the imperial government, Kwun Tong was transformed in the post-war years into Hong Kong’s most important industrial district. Factories, warehouses, and worker housing rose rapidly in the 1950s, turning the area into a symbol of the city’s manufacturing might and economic ascent.

Today, Kwun Tong stands at another turning point. As industries move out and redevelopment accelerates, former factory buildings are being reimagined as creative studios, offices, and cultural spaces. In this tour, we journey through Kwun Tong’s evolving urban landscape to understand how planning decisions, economic change, and community life have shaped — and reshaped — the district over time.

Through historic photographs, maps, and on-the-ground views, we’ll explore the legacy of industrialisation, the challenges of urban renewal, and the tension between preservation and progress. From industrial landmarks to waterfront redevelopment, this tour reveals Kwun Tong as a living case study of Hong Kong’s planning ambitions and urban reinvention.

Trace Kwun Tong’s transformation from salt pans to industrial powerhouse and redevelopment hotspot.
Learn how post-war town planning shaped Hong Kong’s first major industrial district.
Explore iconic factory buildings and industrial streetscapes now repurposed for creative uses.
Understand the social and economic impact of deindustrialisation and urban renewal.
Discover how waterfront development and infrastructure projects are redefining Kwun Tong’s future.

Tour overview

Once a tract of salt pans generating revenue for the imperial government, Kwun Tong became Hong Kong’s industrial powerhouse in the 1950s. Today, Kwun Tong is experiencing yet another wave of transformation. In this online virtual tour, we will discover the creative side of Kwun Tong as we stroll through the erstwhile industrial area and hear stories from the old days.

Selected highlights

Some of the points of interest include:

Yu Man Square

Witness the redevelopment of Kwun Tong’s town centre and look back on the bustling scenes of neighbourhood shops, street stalls, and vibrant community life of the past.

Camel Paint Building

From a paint factory of the industrial era to today’s lively hub of restaurants and small shops, savour the story of industrial transformation.

Wai Yip Street Industrial Area

Explore the rise and decline of Kwun Tong’s industrial district and understand the role factory buildings have played in urban planning.

Kwun Tong Promenade

Once a cargo handling area, now transformed into a public space that embodies the ideals of urban renewal and community sharing.

Kowloon Flour Mills

Step into the history of a once-important grain processing plant and learn about its place in Hong Kong’s industrial and livelihood development.

Yu Man Square

Witness the redevelopment of Kwun Tong’s town centre and look back on the bustling scenes of neighbourhood shops, street stalls, and vibrant community life of the past.

Camel Paint Building

From a paint factory of the industrial era to today’s lively hub of restaurants and small shops, savour the story of industrial transformation.

Wai Yip Street Industrial Area

Explore the rise and decline of Kwun Tong’s industrial district and understand the role factory buildings have played in urban planning.

Kwun Tong Promenade

Once a cargo handling area, now transformed into a public space that embodies the ideals of urban renewal and community sharing.

Kowloon Flour Mills

Step into the history of a once-important grain processing plant and learn about its place in Hong Kong’s industrial and livelihood development.

History

Junior Secondary (Secondary 1 & 3)
- Learn about the main industries and economic activities of ancient Hong Kong through the origin and evolution of Kwun Tong’s place name.
- Explain how post-war industrial zones were planned and how industry drove employment and lifestyle changes, and describe the impact of Hong Kong’s economic transformation on the city’s spatial patterns.
- Explain the relationship between urban development and grassroots livelihoods, public transport, and the advancement of industry and commerce.
Senior Secondary (Theme A)
- Learn about Hong Kong’s main industries and international status in the mid-twentieth century through visits to industrial sites in Kwun Tong.
- Understand how the Hong Kong government promoted economic development and urbanisation through the designation of satellite towns and new towns.
- Describe the transformation and evolution of Hong Kong’s economy using the changing purposes of Kwun Tong’s industrial buildings as an example.

Geography

Junior Secondary (Sections A and C)
- Understand understand the various pressures facing urban space in Kwun Tong as a densely populated area in Hong Kong.
- Analyse the evolution of urban industrial areas and changes in land use.
- Identify the main types of industry in Hong Kong, using Kwun Tong as an example.
Senior Secondary (Topics 3 and 4)
- Explain how urban development, industrial transformation, and land use changes in Kwun Tong reflect the interaction between human activities and the natural environment, and analyse the impact of these interactions on community sustainability.
- Utilise maps, on-site observations, and geographic data collection and interpretation skills to identify and analyse different land uses, community changes, and urban renewal phenomena during guided tours in Kwun Tong.
- Evaluate strategies for urban renewal, industrial building revitalization, and public space creation, analyse the needs of and conflicts among different stakeholders, and discuss the significance and challenges of promoting sustainable development.

Tour Information

We reserve the right to make changes to the information, prices and itineraries of the tours as set out in our website and all printed promotional materials. Provided that such changes have been made prior to the confirmation of a booking, such changes shall be binding on the participants.
Any information or advice provided by us on matters including but not limited to walking routes, climate, clothing, travel documents, baggage, special equipment, etc. is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of us.
All information provided on our website is correct to the best of our knowledge, but we cannot assure that such information would be free from errors or omission and we shall assume no responsibilities for any such errors of omission.
Our website may contain hyperlinks to other websites owned and operated by third parties. We have no control over, or associate with, such sites and we assume no responsibilities for the contents of such sites. The inclusion of such sites on our website does not imply our endorsement of such sites.
We do not warrant that our website would be free from computer viruses and we accept no liabilities or responsibilities for any loss or damage that may arise as a result.

Bad Weather Policy

If Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above, or a Red/Black Rainstorm Warning is issued three hours before the tour starts, the tour will be canceled.
If Typhoon Signal No. 8 or a Red/Black Rainstorm Warning is issued during the tour, the tour will be canceled immediately.
If the tour needs to be canceled due to other adverse weather conditions, we will contact you by phone at least 2.5 hours before the tour. (If there is no response, we will follow up with an SMS or email.)
If the tour is canceled due to adverse weather on the day, we will work with you to reschedule a new date within six months from the original tour date.

Tour Reminder

Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes for the walk. Bring an umbrella, a bottle of water and some snacks just in case.
Each participant may bring their own 3.5mm plug headphone if they have one for the wireless transmitter/receiver system which will be used on the tour. The guide will provide them a new one otherwise, but for hygienic and environmental reasons participants are strongly suggested to bring their own earphones if possible.
There is a possibility that our organization may take photographs or videos during the guided tour, and these captured images or footage may be used for future promotion and publicity. If participants do not agree with this arrangement, please inform the tour guide or organizer during registration and on the day of the event.

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