Alvin Yip launched a social innovation in Hong Kong by converting 5 trams into art, culture and creative spaces.

Trams were “born” in Hong Kong in 1904. Great that they are still here on the Hong Kong island, meandering between the western end and the eastern tip. Comforted, we know they are not far away; we could hear and smell them when such “Ding Ding” (people in Hong Kong often call trams in such a way, akin to a pet) crawls in the buzzing parts of our city. Alvin was in charge of the Social Innovation Centre of Hong Kong Polytechnic University. He left university in order to chase his dream. He treated the romantic 100-year-old tram more as a cultural heritage than means of transport. This ambitious and creative young man planned, gathered funds, talked to the tram company and convinced the governmental departments. Finally, he made it! Designed by the young, the “Circus Trams” (https://circustram.com) were however hand-made by the experienced workmen of great dexterity who mixed steel and wood to produce a stylish double decker vehicle which can be used as mini museum, classroom, music or even theatre black box. I took part in one of such gatherings and the feel was fantastic: with the obsessive glimmers of the street scenes and neon lights behind me, I just relaxed myself in the tram capsule as if the windows were just a big piece of turnaround movie screen.

Alvin said to run a creative business, one must have (1) a critical and creative angle (2) careful planning (3) courage & (4) an empowering approach to elicit the best of ideas and talents from the teammates.

He added “trams have been with us since the days of our great-grandparents. I wish to turn them into a “mobile art and culture community” that anyone can drop by or get off.

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