Qianhai special zone architect Patrick Lau plans water and greenery for pedestrians

Hailed as the Manhattan of southern China before it's even built, the Qianhai special economic zone in Shenzhen will offer a better quality of life than Hong Kong, says the landscape architect who is drafting the planning guidelines.

Hongkonger Patrick Lau Hing-tat said his concept would create rivers and emphasise the pedestrian environment. A network of waterways and green space would be drawn up first, and other infrastructure would be built around it.

Developments near major waterways will be required to split the site 50/50 between building space and greenery.

"It means instead of putting pedestrians close to vehicle emissions, they will be walking by the riverside, under the shade of trees," said Lau.

Lau, a Town Planning Board member who is frustrated by Hong Kong's red tape and lack of creativity, said most new-town planning prioritised transport and other public utilities. "Pedestrian links and green space are the last things planned in a new town."

Qianhai is earmarked to become an international financial centre. To this end, legal, financial and planning experts from Hong Kong have been asked for their input.

Lau, whose company Earthasia Design Group was behind the landscape designs for the Hong Kong Disneyland site and the Beijing Olympic Village, is introducing its "blue-green infrastructure" concept into Qianhai with joint-venture partners BLY Design Institute and Plasma Studio.