Concern group outlines vision for more vibrant Central waterfront
An urban planning concern group has urged the government to rezone the Central waterfront to improve the area's vibrancy and diversity.
Designing Hong Kong, an alliance of four individuals, has proposed fundamental changes to the government's zoning plans for the Central waterfront.
One of the four, Paul Zimmerman, said the changes were based on a thorough study of different concern groups' opinions over the past five years.
'We are confident that the proposals have broad support among many stakeholders,' said Mr Zimmerman, convenor of Designing Hong Kong Harbour District.
Compared to the existing plans, the group has proposed replacing big high-rises with smaller ones, for better views and air ventilation, and introducing more developers to increase competition. It has proposed extending the tram network to the waterfront and converting the Statue Square 'corridor' into a park, enabling the Star Ferry Clock Tower to be returned to its original site.
Other changes include reducing the width of the major road across the area, as well as the maximum height of new buildings between IFC and the ferry piers. The group also suggests turning half of the PLA barracks into open space and moving the military berth 20 metres offshore to free more harbourfront space.
'We acknowledge that the proposals reduce the overall gross floor area and premium income potential, and that the changes will require the administration to revisit previous assumptions. However, this short-term loss will be more than compensated for by the economic benefits of the improved quality of life in the long term,' said Mr Zimmerman.
The group has submitted its proposals to the Town Planning Board, which is scheduled to discuss them in August. To further promote its idea, the group of four has launched an international urban planning and design competition.
Group member Markus Shaw, chairman of the WWF in Hong Kong, said the design submissions were expected to be innovative, yet practical and feasible, and had basically to be based on the rezoning amendments put forward by the group. The submission deadline is September 1 and the winners will receive HK$1 million in prize money.
In November, the winning entries will be proposed to the Planning Department in support of the central reclamation urban design study the department has been carrying out.
'We hope to draw more attention from both the public and the government on this project, as this is probably the last chance to get the final harbourfront done in Central without further reclamation allowed,' said Mr Shaw.
