Talking the walk on turning traffic-choked Hong Kong street into pedestrian oasis
Conservationist Markus Shaw turns his attention to polluted Des Voeux Road Central with the aim of turning it into an environmentally friendly zone
Markus Shaw has worn many hats in his lifetime. The 58-year-old former lawyer turned businessman and environmental campaigner – and grandnephew of late TVB creator Sir Run Run Shaw – is now busily promoting an ambitious scheme to pedestrianise one of Hong Kong’s most crowded, polluted roads.
Despite being one of the most recognisable streets on Hong Kong Island and home to a number of iconic buildings, Des Voeux Road in Central is notorious for its traffic congestion and narrow pavements, making it difficult to traverse both on foot or via public transport.
By transforming one of Hong Kong’s main arteries into an environmentally friendly pedestrian and tram zone with just one lane of traffic for deliveries, Shaw hopes the Central business district will be revitalised too.
“The current state of Des Voeux Road Central doesn’t benefit anyone,” says Shaw, chairman of the Walk DVRC project. “It’s a horrific pedestrian experience – very unsafe because of jaywalking.
“It doesn’t benefit bus companies either because congestion is terrible, and the buses move through there at such a slow pace that you have to wait ages for them.
“It doesn’t benefit the tram company because trams are moving at slower than walking pace during rush hour.”