INTRODUCTION

Tai O lies on a low lying coastal area on the western side of Lantau Island in Hong Kong. It is an old fishing village and was once the home of fishing and salt industries. Tai O is characterised mainly with stilted structures and village settlement along the banks of the Tai O River. In June 2007, the Government commissioned a consultancy on the “Feasibility Study on Improvement Works for Tai O Facelift” to examine the feasibility of the proposals in details.

Owing to the rich cultural and heritage content of Tai O, we consider Tai O well suited to the application of a holistic and district-based revitalisation approach, with an emphasis on heritage conservation. To this end, we have organised the “Design Competition for the Revitalisation of Tai O” with a view to inviting innovative input on how to achieve a holistic plan and implementation strategy to revitalise Tai O for the benefit of local residents and for the enjoyment and appreciation of locals and tourists alike.