November 27, 2003
Alternative Two: Harbour Front for Central, Wan Chai and Causeway Bay
Summary
The approach is conceptual, based on sustainable development principles, good urban design and landscape design.
Fundamental Assumptions
1. The over-run tunnel for the Airport Railway will need to be completed.
2. To build the Airport Railway over-run tunnel, the Star Ferry Pier will need to be relocated;
3. The Central – Wan Chai by-pass will not be built and alternative traffic management measures will control traffic in Central and Wan Chai.
4. Only limited small scale development which facilitates the public enjoyment of the water front and harbour will be permitted.
5. The number of additional surface roads required is minimal as no additional development is proposed and the major road is downgraded .
Proposals for Central
The reclamation is reduced by approximately by over 100 metres and is limited to the area near the Star Ferry and Tamar. The remainder of the waterfront is existing public land which is to be redesigned as a promenade.
A new location closer to the existing piers is provided for the Star Ferry while a new Queen’s Pier is provided near the existing location. A waterfront park of around 3.9 ha is provided near Star Ferry.
A new east-west road, the Northern Avenue, will extend from Man Cheung St. at the IFC to join Hung Hing Road in Wan Chai. The alignment utilises existing roads such as Lung Wui Road, Convention Avenue and Hung Hing Road.
The reclaimed area is mainly a Public Promenade. Only two storey buildings will be permitted for waterfront commercial and entertainment uses
The total area of the proposed Central Reclamation is approximately 4.5 ha compared with approximately 25 ha in the Government’s plan.
Proposals for Wan Chai
There is no reclamation in the Wan Chai area. The existing promenade around the Exhibition and Convention Centre is improved. The Wan Chai Ferry Pier remains as it is. Additional pedestrian connection to the east and to the former Cargo Handling Area is provided on a boardwalk
The former Cargo Handling Area could become a vibrant waterfront activity area with scope for marine activities and entertainment, a public landing area and tourist boats. There is scope for restaurant and retail activities to be included in this area.
The existing Wan Chai Swimming Pool and Sports Ground remain. There is no additional development proposed in the Wan Chai Area.
The proposed marina to the west of the Yacht Club is deleted as there will be adequate water area retained within the Causeway Bay typhoon shelter.
The reclamation in this area is reduced by 50 to 100 metres and there would be no compared with approximately 14.6 ha in the Government's scheme.
Proposals for Causeway Bay
Without the Central Wan Chai By-pass the existing Yacht Club facilities remain unaffected so no reprovisioning is required.
The proposed KCRC rail tunnel will require a vent building on reclamation in front of the World Trade Centre and Excelsior Hotel and this will also remove an area of dead water. The existing waterfront to the east is retained and improved, and could be rehabilitation to a more natural environment.
The Harbour Park is deleted.
A continuous Pedestrian Promenade of 10 metres width is provided along the eastern edge of the typhoon shelter to North Point by using existing public land or by provision of a boardwalk.
The reclamation would be reduced by over 100 metres in places. The area of reclamation is approximately 0.7 ha compared with approximately 12.2 ha in the Government's scheme which included the Harbour Park.
Conceptual Map
Please click on image below for larger image.
