The congested shopping streets of Mong Kok are edging closer to a greener and more pedestrian-friendly environment after six improvement proposals were singled out for detailed designs to be developed.
The aim is to maintain Mong Kok's identity as a shopping area while introducing more plants, better landscaping and more open space.
Pedestrian links across Nathan Road will be enhanced and landmarks added to improve orientation.
The Planning Department unveiled the short-term projects yesterday in the Area Improvement Plan for the Shopping Areas of Mong Kok, after it commissioned a feasibility study in February 2006 and two rounds of public consultation between May and July 2007 and April and May last year.
The plan, spreading over about 58 hectares, covered key shopping areas and tourist attractions. It is bounded by the Mong Kok East MTR Station and its railway track to the east, Dundas Street and Waterloo Road to the south, Shanghai Street to the west and Prince Edward Road West and Flower Market Road to the north.
The six projects, mainly involving greening and pavement improvements, were identified for early go-aheads.
Under the proposals, a petrol station on Nullah Road would be removed to make way for a tree-lined public area, coined the 'Green Corridor', running through Nullah Road and Flower Market Road. A pedestrian crossing at Nathan Road near Nullah Road would be widened from seven metres to 10 metres to meet the heavy use.
