Leon Lai gig showed the potential of Central Harbourfront, say architects
“People were sitting on staircases and enjoying picnics by the pier, all of sudden, I thought why did we have to spend 20 years working and thinking about harbourfront design?” said Institute of Architects chairman Vincent Ng Wing-shun.
Canto-pop star Leon Lai has been hailed a hero once again – this time by veteran architects and planners, who claim he inadvertently showcased what good use of public space along the Central Harbourfront should look like.
“Thanks to [Lai] and the Fire Services Department ... many people without a ticket came and activated the harbourfront,” said Institute of Architects president Vincent Ng Wing-shun.
“People were sitting on staircases and enjoying picnics by the pier, all of sudden, [I thought] why did we have to spend 20 years working and thinking about [harbourfront] design?”
Ng, who heads public engagement for the Harbourfront Commission, was referring to the pop star’s last-minute move to remove the marquee over his concert venue at the Central Harbourfront. Event organisers had failed to ensure the cover met fire safety standards.
An abrupt redesign subsequently created a spontaneous “outer core” around the concert ground perimeter made up of throngs of fans and revellers.