On the waterfront: a vision for the future

Plan includes 18-storey hotel, office complexes, promenade

Main features of the future Central harbourfront would include an 18-storey hotel, two 14-storey office complexes, a 1.4km promenade and an arts precinct, under government plans unveiled yesterday.

The proposed new waterfront would see 11 hectares of greenery and public open space, including an amphitheatre for outdoor forums and an open-air stage.

In an attempt to make Hong Kong's competitiveness sustainable, government planners have zoned the area near Two IFC and the outlying islands ferry piers mostly for commercial use, with an 18-storey hotel and two 14-storey office-cum-retailing complexes planned.

The rest of the future waterfront would comprise parks or open space, with footbridges or walkways linking to other areas, including Pacific Place, Hong Kong Park and The Landmark.

A marine basin for pleasure boats or exhibition vessels would be created off the Academy for Performing Arts, and the land between the basin and the academy would be turned into an arts precinct with outdoor art displays and performances.

Chief town planner (special duties) Phyllis Li Chi-mui, unveiling the government plan yesterday, said they believed their concepts, if materialised, could create a world-class waterfront for Hong Kong residents.

But architectural details of the controversial $5.1 billion Tamar project, which would form one of the key parts of the harbourfront development, were excluded from the conceptual model unveiled yesterday, pending the prequalification tendering exercise being carried out by the government.

The government wants to complete the Tamar project by the end of 2010. A funding request is expected to be submitted to today's meeting of the Legislative Council public works subcommittee.

Opponents of the Tamar project, mainly anti-reclamation activists and Civic Party members, had long demanded the government make the Tamar design available for public consultation.

They have urged legislators not to give the government a 'blank cheque' until the impact of traffic, noise and air pollution are addressed. But with the support of major political parties, including the Democratic Party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, and the Liberal Party, it is almost certain the funding request will be passed today.

The Finance Committee is expected to give its formal approval late next month.

Director of Planning Bosco Fung Chee-keung yesterday stressed the government plan was not intended to be the final version.

'It is only one of the many possible ways of developing our harbourfront. We shall listen to what the people say. Another urban design study will be undertaken to refine the design and to prepare technical details for the key sites.'