Institute for Sustainable Urbanisation

As the Founding Director of the Institute for Sustainable Urbanisation (ISU) (https://www.isurban.org/), we have been advancing the Cultural Triangle Precinct (CTP) in Central since 2009. It started when UDP International (https://www.udpcltd.com/ ) was commissioned to design the adaptive reuse of PMQ. It is gratifying to see many elements of our original vision realized, including the connection between the two main blocks, the atrium, Dr. Sun Yat-sen museum below and the restaurant in the JPC block.

The “Cultural Triangle” - coined at the time and anchored by PMQ, Tai Kwun and Central Market - represents far more than a cluster of heritage sites. Strategically located between the harbourfront and the Mid-Levels, CTP has the potential to serve as a critical north–south cultural spine - linking the waterfront, the CBD and surrounding residential neighborhood. With its rich heritage assets and adaptive reuse projects, CTP can reposition Central as a walkable, culturally vibrant district beyond its financial identity.

Since 2014, ISU and UDP International have actively engaged multiple stakeholders through a series of workshops, neighborhood walks, community events and placemaking initiatives. In partnership with YWCA and supported by the Central and Western District Council, we hosted inclusive programs that attracted strong participation from diverse communities. Over the last few years, our collaboration with Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) students further advanced the revitalization of CTP and its neighboring sites, emphasizing its unique value proposition as a seamless urban connector of the district.

We are pleased to share the CTP Manifesto, accessible via the QR code in the flyer attached. Feedback and collaboration are welcome from the wider community to help create a walkable Cultural Triangle Precinct while celebrating Central’s unique cultural and historical character.

More recently, our “Reimagining Central” events - incorporating voices from both public and private sectors, professionals and academia and the community highlighted the strategic importance of CTP in shaping a more distinctive and resilient CBD of Hong Kong. Our vision is to establish a Community and Business Improvement District (CBID), and to bring key stakeholders together to mobilize resources and pave the way to realise the vision to create a vibrant Central, to help reposition Hong Kong in the GBA.

Dr. Sujata Govada
Founding Director, ISU
CEO and Managing Director
UDP International

Thanks to inputs to the CTP Manifesto from Graham Cheng, Queenie Huang, Brent Ginsberg and Bethany Ma

Last Call for ISU Reimagining Central II Registration!

Institute for Sustainable Urbanisation (ISU) in collaboration with UDP International, invites you to participate in the “Reimagining Central II” event on Jan 31, 2026, in Central, Hong Kong!

Don't miss out on the opportunity to join us! This is your final chance to register for the upcoming event.

Event Details:
Date: 31/01/2026
Venue: Multi-Function Room C&D at H6 CONET
Time: 9:30am-12:30pm

Secure your spot today and be part of an engaging experience!
Register Now: https://forms.gle/cXb4bx1972 KsWo7
We look forward to seeing you there!

Reimagining Central II

Institute for Sustainable Urbanisation (ISU) in collaboration with UDP International, invites you to participate in the “Reimagining Central II” event on Jan 31, 2026, in Central, Hong Kong!

Reimagining Central II aims to deepen engagement with the community, stakeholders, and local businesses in promoting Hong Kong’s first Community and Business Improvement District (CBID) within the Cultural Triangle Precinct. Building on the success of the first event, Reimagining Central II will facilitate dynamic discussions that foster collaboration on the implementation and benefits of the CBID model in Central. We are pleased to invite you to join us!

If you are interested in joining us, please fill in the Google form for registration.

Venue: Multi-Function Room C&D at H6 CONET
Address: G/F, The Center, 99 Queen’s Road Central
Date and Time: 31/01/2026, 9:30am-12:30pm
Registration:
https://forms.gle/cXb4bx1972HKyzWo7

Feel free to share this information with your friends and family. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

ISU Reimagining Central event

Cheng Huang Lau Yiu Shetabi Wilson Lun Chan Lam Govada Ginsberg


ISU successfully organised the Reimagining Central event recently which was well attended by about 30 participants from the professional, academia, community as well as public, private sectors. The event included presentations starting with welcoming remarks by me emphasising the need for “Reimagining Central” including an introduction of the Cultural Triangle Precinct in Central that UDP International has been working on since 2009 when we first had an opportunity to work on the adaptive reuse of the Police Married Quarters (PMQ). This was followed by an overview on the importance of cultural heritage in enhancing Central by Prof. Linda Shetabi from HKU. The participants then had discussions on how Central can be reimagined during the breakout session. This was followed by group presentations on various topics including i) walkability, public realm, landscape and governance; ii) art, culture, hospitality and entertainment; and iii) property development, small/medium businesses, tourism and heritage. Prof. Barry Wilson, Immediate Past President of HKIUD briefly shared the Institute’s Streets Manifesto and Prof. Yin Lun Chan, HOD, Department of Design and Architecture, THEi and Vice President, HKILA shared the history of Central including the more recent transformation as well. The event concluded with a dynamic panel, sharing Lessons from New York. The three Panelists included: Andrew Lam Govada, Managing Director, Tuxedo Hospitality, New York; Brent Ginsberg, former Senior Planner from City of New York and Research Associate, HKU and Arun Lam Govada, former Director of Tourism Asia Pacific, New York City and Team Lead, EXP Real Estate, New York. They each shared lessons from their own perspective highlighting Dumbo, Time Square, High-line, Bryant Park, China Town, South Port that enhanced the city. Towards the end of the event Ms Jacqueline Tan, Executive Director and Chief Corporate Officer, Hongkongland also shared their recent efforts in transforming Chater Road in Central. All in the all, the Reimagining Central event was very well received, sparked a lot of interest and struck new conversations among participants. ISU aims to evening get more people and organisations on board to attract multiple sectors to put in the investment and funding needed to reposition Central as a thriving financial district and showcase its rich cultural heritage by creating a walkable Cultural Triangle Precinct to further strengthen its unique image and identity. ISU plans to organise more Reimagining Central events next year with the continued support from the community, professional institutes, academia, public and private sector as well as various other organisations in Hong Kong and beyond. Stay tuned!

Dr. Sujata S. Govada
Founding Director, ISU
and the ISU Team

Central Tour
Urban Stories: A Walk Through Central Chapters
Cheng Huang Lau Yiu


Thanks to everyone who attended the Central Tour on Saturday afternoon, Dec 6, 2025 making it a successful tour. The tour was organised by the Institute for Sustainable Urbanisation (ISU) and appreciate all the organisations that supported the tour as well.

Trust all of you enjoyed the Central Tour as much as we did and hope to see you all at our next event. Please join ISU as a member so we can do more together and appreciate your continued support.

Sujata Govada
Founding Director, ISU

Urban Stories: A Walk Through Sham Shui Po’s Chapters (Sham Shui Po Tour)

Thanks to everyone who attended the Sham Shui Po Tour on Saturday morning, Dec 6, 2025 making it a successful tour. The tour was organised by the Institute for Sustainable Urbanisation (ISU) and appreciate all the organisations that supported the tour as well. Thanks to Roger Wu, Director, the Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) for hosting and leading a very informative tour giving an overview of the development of Sham Shui Po over the years. The tour started at Mei Ho House in Shek Kip Mei with a brief introduction of the history of one of the oldest urban districts of Hong Kong. Participants got a glimpse of the district by walking through some of popular streets and street markets and understanding the transformation of the area over the years. Roger highlighted the various building typologies such as the Tong Lau, residential and commercial developments and emphasised that their forms were primarily influenced by the building codes. He also pointed out some of the popular older shops, newer shops and restaurants popping up and alluded to some of the challenges faced by the district due to gentrification. The tour ended at the HKDC, as a bonus the participants could also stay back and visit some of the cool galleries showcased at the Design Hub. The ISU CityWalks are a great way to learn more about the hidden gems of Hong Kong while getting a good excercise as well!

Trust all of you enjoyed the Sham Shui Po Tour as much as we did and hope to see you all at our next event. Please join ISU as a member so we can do more together and appreciate your continued support.

The ISU Team

Urban Stories: A Walk Through the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK Tour)

Thanks to everyone who attended the WestK tour on Friday Dec 5, 2025 making it successful. The tour was organised by the Institute for Sustainable Urbanisation (ISU) and thanks to all the supporting organisations as well. Thanks to West Kowloon Cultural Authority for hosting a very informative tour giving an overview of the existing and future development of WestK to begin with. Participants then enjoyed a guided tour of M+, which is more than a world class museum designed by the renowned firm, Herzog & de Meuron. An added bonus was a guided tour of the East and West galleries with an opportunity for participants to visit the other galleries on their own at the end of the tour. The ISU CityWalks are a great way to learn more about the hidden gems of Hong Kong while getting a good excercise as well!

Trust you all enjoyed the WestK Tour as much as we did and hope to see you all on our next one. Please join ISU so we can do more together and appreciate your continued support.

The ISU Team

Urban Stories: A Walk Through Sham Shui Po’s Chapters (Sham Shui Po Tour)

Sham Shui Po Tour invites you to explore the Grade II historical building, Mei Ho House, to learn about the history in the Shek Kip Mei; discover electronic components and treasures along Ap Liu Street; or immerse yourself in the thriving artistic atmosphere of Tai Nan Street.

Urban Stories: A Walk Through Sham Shui Po’s Chapters (Sham Shui Po Tour)
Date: 6 Dec 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 NN
Registration: https://forms.gle/EmxXYkowk6yHM5f4A

ISU, in collaboration with UDP International, is organizing the "WestK Tour" as part of BODW In the City 2025, scheduled for 5 December 2025.

WestK Tour invites you to explore Hong Kong's remarkable cultural district. Join us to discover this significant mega cultural project and visit M+, Asia’s global museum of contemporary visual culture, designed by Herzog & de Meuron in partnership with TFP Farrells and Arup.

Urban Stories: A Walk Through the West Kowloon Cultural District (WestK Tour)
Date: 5 Dec 2025
Time: 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Register now and join us for the tour!
https://forms.gle/q5M7jS9rYLzEcora7

ISU, in collaboration with UDP International, is organizing the "Central Tour" as part of BODW In the City 2025, scheduled for 6 December 2025.

Central Tour showcases the Cultural Triangle Precinct (CTP), featuring key adaptive reuse sites: Central Market, Tai Kwun (Former Central Police Station Compound), and PMQ (Former Police Married Quarters). Guided tours will provide insights into the history and revitalization of these buildings.

Urban Stories: A Walk Through the Cultural Triangle Precinct (Central Tour)
Date: 6 Dec 2025
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Register now and join us for the tour!
https://forms.gle/MEHYxzBVwr53JKzC9