He said the group wanted Hong Kong people to recognise and discover their local culture and identity.

The activists have now set their sights on other big open spaces and sites with heritage value, such as Wan Chai Market and the West Kowloon Cultural District.

In-Media, an online magazine run by the activists, recently published a research paper on the use of space in West Kowloon and the possible wall effect caused by high-rises in the area.

The public attention attracted by the Queen's Pier saga and the peaceful removal of some two dozen protesters from the pier yesterday were in stark contrast to the events surrounding the demolition of the Star Ferry pier in December.

Only a dozen activists responded to conservationists' calls to gather at the Star Ferry pier on the eve of the clock tower's demolition.

This time though - after eight months of intensive campaigning to save the Queen's Pier, including three months of camping at the pier by activists - about 100 people gathered at the pier and in Edinburgh Place.

And while the Star Ferry pier demolition ended with clashes between protesters and the police, this time the activists planned and prepared for action by the authorities.

Some activists privately said they decided days ago to adopt passive resistance - holding hands and tying themselves with metal chains before police moved in. Some decided to climb on to the roof to prolong the struggle.

They formed a number of groups - some on ground, some on the roof and others playing a supporting role outside the cordoned-off zone.

Shortly after the Legislative Council's finance committee approved the budget to demolish the pier on May 23, Local Action moved its camp from the pier to the roof. A second camp was set up recently.

The activists were also well equipped. They transported water, food, a small power generator and even a portable toilet to the roof after they were given a deadline to leave the pier two days ago. They also had their own camera to record events.

'There will be no violence, we will not hurt ourselves. After our removal from the ground, we will be outside shouting in support of those on the roof. Those on the roof will be very peaceful. Again, no violence. We will see how long they can stay on the roof,' Mr Chu said on Tuesday.

Ada Wong Ying-kay, a lawyer who bailed out Local Action member Ho Loy after she was arrested over the Star Ferry protest in December, said: 'They staged a dignified exit yesterday. Unlike the protests Hong Kong people are used to, with clashes between protesters and police, they came up with a strategy which was peaceful and different.

'It is an effective way to let the public understand them more. I know they have been discussing it for some time. I think they are getting more mature.'

But Chinese University political analyst Ma Ngok held a different view. 'Surely, it was peaceful. But I'm not sure whether we can call them more mature. They may gain more sympathy if they clash with the police.'

Mr Ma expects more clashes between the group and the government. 'Hong Kong still has many structures with heritage value. As long as the government continues to develop, there will be clashes with conservationists,' he said.

Final countdown

11am Police storm pier, 20 activists lie down and chain themselves together. Pier fenced off

12.20pm Lands Department officials read eviction order

12.30pm Police start cutting chains

12.37pm First activist removed

1pm 'Long Hair' Leung Kwok-hung, who chained himself to pole, removed

1.45pm All activists removed and taken to area outside old Star Ferry pier, then allowed back to protest area

4pm Firemen move in with ladder ready to tackle seven activists on rooftop

4.20pm Fenced-off protesters try to break through blockade

4.45pm Police abseiling team scale ladder to rooftop

6.22pm First activist taken down

8.46pm Last protester removed