More pedestrian crossings, not more underground parking, needed to alleviate overcrowding in Tsim Sha Tsui, says Hong Kong development NGO

Designing Hong Kong says crossings would be much cheaper and faster way of easing congestion than planned Kowloon Park development

Round of public consultation closes on Wednesday for government plan, which intends to develop three-storey underground space in busy shopping area

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The government proposes to develop a 538,000 sq ft, three-storey space with retail and parking under Kowloon Park in Tsim Sha Shui. Photo: Shutterstock.

Published: 4:59pm, 20 Aug 2019Updated: 9:31pm, 20 Aug 2019

Providing more pedestrian crossings would be a cheaper and faster way of easing congestion in Hong Kong’s popular shopping hub Tsim Sha Tsui, according to a plan floated by an NGO on Tuesday that aims to replace a plan by the government.

Designing Hong Kong, which advocates sustainable urban design, made the appeal to modify a government proposal to develop a 538,000 sq ft, three-storey space under Kowloon Park. The second round of public consultation on the proposal is set to close on Wednesday.

The organisation’s CEO Paul Zimmerman proposed setting up pedestrian crossings on Kowloon Park Drive at Peking Road, Middle Road and Salisbury Road to divert foot traffic from Haiphong Road, currently the busiest artery between Nathan Road and Canton Road running along the south of the park.

“This is very simple. It saves a lot of money and it can save the park,” he said.

Paul Zimmerman, CEO of Designing Hong Kong, outlines the NGO’s alternative plan for Kowloon Park. Photo: May Tse

Under the proposal, Zimmerman said, officials could open up Peking Road and Middle Road within a month with a maintenance budget.

“The government, if they want to, can do it very fast. Actually, they [already] do it. When they have the fireworks, they allow people to cross,” he said, referring to special crowd management measures during fireworks shows in Victoria Harbour at various times of year.