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Next Hong Kong chief executive should put pedestrians first, walkability advocates argue

Think tank issues report urging new mindset in government to consider accessibility and connectivity in city planning

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The report cited Choi Hung Estate in Kowloon as the city’s most walkable neighbourhood. Photo: Felix Wong

Walkability advocates and experts called on the next chief executive to change Hong Kong’s mindset and government structure by introducing measures that put pedestrians first.

The plea came as a study showed that public housing complex Choi Hung Estate in Kowloon was the city’s most walkable neighbourhood, while Kwun Tong ranked worst in the category out of four areas audited by the local think tank Civic Exchange.

On Wednesday, the group released a report on local walkability, including a list of factors such as accessibility and connectivity indicators that it argued could be used by the city.

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The study found that Choi Hung Estate – one of the city’s oldest public housing developments – was the city’s most walkable neighbourhood, receiving a “very good” grade when compared with three other locations.

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Central ranked second, as it was deemed “well-connected and efficient, but not the most interesting place to walk due to lack of public real amenities and poor streetscapes”.

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