Media

HKU to launch free mobile app “HK Tram Trail - Traces of Hong Kong’s Urban Development”

23 Sep 2011

 

Tram passengers can now have self-guided tours by making use of a free mobile app "Hong Kong Tram Trail - Traces of Hong Kong's Urban Development" launched by the University of Hong Kong (HKU). The app will be available for free download on September 25, 2011 (Sunday).  For details, please refer to the announcement at http://100.hku.hk/.

The app "Hong Kong Tram Trail - Traces of Hong Kong's Urban Development" covers the urban history of Hong Kong along the tram trail from Western District to Sheung Wan. Areas covered by the app include Sai Wan, Kennedy Town, The Belcher's, Shek Tong Tsui, HKU, Sai Ying Pun, Dried Seafood Street (Des Voeux Road West), Possession Street, Western Market, Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal and Sheung Wan. This is a location based service app. Through GPS, the app will automatically locate the zone that the tram passenger is in and play the corresponding videos and pictures contrasting the old and new Hong Kong.

 "Hong Kong Tram Trail" is part of the HKU Centenary celebration activities. Both HKU and Hong Kong Tramways have been serving Hong Kong and witnessing its development for over 100 years. Apart from this app, a tramcar dedicated to HKU's centenary will serve passengers from now to this November. Narrated tram tours with special themes will be conducted later.

The "Traces of Hong Kong's Urban Development" app designer and developer Professor Anthony Yeh, Department of Urban Planning and Design and Centre of Urban Studies and Urban Planning, and the app consultant Dr Joseph Ting, alumnus and the former Chief Curator of the Hong Kong Museum of History, will brief the media on this new app on September 25. Members of the media are cordially invited to attend. Details are as follow:

Date: September 25, 2011 (Sunday)

Rundown:
1:30pm  Briefing of the mobile app  (Venue: MG07, Main Building, The University of Hong Kong)
2:30pm  HKU100 Tram Tour from Hong Kong Tramways' Whitty Street Tram Depot to Sheung Wan

Note:

• Coach will be arranged for members of media from HKU to Whitty Street Tram Depot
• Mobile devices will be provided during the tram tour

Guests:

• Professor Anthony Yeh, Department of Urban Planning and Design and Centre of Urban Studies and Urban Planning
• Dr Joseph Ting, HKU alumnus and former Chief Curator of the Hong Kong Museum of History

For media enquiries, please contact Ms Trinni Choy (Assistant Director (Media), Communications and Public Affairs Office) tel: 2859 2606 email: pychoy@hku.hk