Block should be moved east, says planner
The office or hotel proposed on a site in front of Two IFC in Central should be moved closer to Wan Chai, a town planner said yesterday.
Kim Chan Kam-on, vice-president of the Hong Kong Institute of Planners, said this would help balance the development of the harbourfront.
'It is too overpowering to erect a 30-storey tower right next to the harbour,' he said. 'It should be located further inland - at least so as not to disturb the low-rise skyline for the new waterfront.'
He said the development should be moved east so more people would be brought to areas near Citic Tower and the extension of the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai.
'The area is relatively quiet compared to Central. This would help to bring in more people and more events.'
Chu Hoi-dick, of Local Action, said adding more development to Central would increase traffic pressure.
'The government said the traffic network was saturated so that they need the Central-Wan Chai bypass. But they forget that allowing more commercial opportunities would only result in more people and more traffic,' he said.
Suggestions from the government include building a 16 to 18-storey hotel or office and another 30-storey tower for office and retail use in the area in front of Two IFC.
