Opinion | Hong Kong’s problems with noise and crowds can be eased with more pedestrian zones, not fewer

Bernard Chan says issues arising in pedestrian zones, such as in Mong Kok, could be relieved by creating more traffic-free areas. In addition to more space and cleaner air, it would give street performers more options and disperse crowds

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A street performer sings at the Sai Yeung Choi Street South pedestrian zone in Mong Kok. Reasons for the zone’s closure include overcrowding and the noise generated by having too many performers. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 7:00am, 23 Nov 2018Updated: 7:03am, 23 Nov 2018

I enjoyed the second Heritage Vogue street carnival on Hollywood Road in Central a couple of weeks ago. Supported by the government’s heritage office, along with local heritage sites and art galleries, the event features cultural and heritage-related attractions as well as crafts, food and entertainment. As with last year, it was very popular – indeed, the temporarily pedestrianised street was packed with people.

Just a few days after the festival, this newspaper and others reported a proposal to pedestrianise the western part of Des Voeux Road for a “Sheung Wan Fiesta”. This would not be a one-day affair, but would involve pedestrianising the stretch of road for 12 hours a day for a 90-day period next year. The area would host stalls and events on weekends, while, for the rest of the week, it would provide a traffic-free walkable space with seating and greenery.

The proposal comes from Walk DVRC, an NGO made up of planning professionals with a vision to revitalise this part of Central. They have even commissioned research to find out how local businesses feel about the plan. The fact that they are proposing that the arrangement last for several months suggests they see it as potentially permanent.

Markus Shaw, chairman of Walk DVRC, which wants to pedestrianise part of Des Voeux Road. Photo: Edward Wong

What are the chances of that happening? At the Heritage Vogue festival, I mentioned to an official that it would be nice to hold such events more often. The response was not very encouraging – it takes a lot of hard work behind the scenes to pedestrianise the street. Bus routes need to be changed, and commercial goods deliveries need to be rescheduled. That’s a lot of bureaucratic effort and transport industry inconvenience for a one-off event lasting less than one day.