Harbour-front Enhancement Committee
First Meeting
Paper No. 5/2004
For discussion
on 6 May 2004
Harbour-front Enhancement Committee
Harbour and Waterfront Plan Review
1. Purpose
1.1 The paper aims at outlining the general framework from which the 'Harbour and Waterfront Plan' review would be conducted. Members are invited to comment on the review process.
2. Harbour and Waterfront Plan
2.1 A 'Planning Study on the Harbour and its Waterfront Areas' (the Study) was commissioned jointly by the Planning Department and the Hong Kong Tourism Board back in December 1999 and completed in early 2003. The Study, covering the entire harbourfront, aimed at, amongst other things, formulating a 'Harbour and Waterfront Plan' to guide the use of waterfront areas and the harbour up to 2016 and beyond.
2.2 With feedback from public consultation, a set of guiding planning principles, harbour planning framework and urban design and landscape principles were adopted to steer the formulation of the recommended 'Harbour and Waterfront Plan'. A number of Action Areas with conceptual design and illustrative land use proposals were also prepared to form an integral part of the overall planning strategy for the development of the harbour.
2.3 Objectives of the Study, and details of the harbour planning principles, harbour planning framework, and urban design and landscaping principles are summarized in Annex I.
2.4 Apart from the formulation of a development framework, possible institutional mechanisms, from a statutory harbour development authority to a non-statutory harbour committee, were also examined in the Study. A summary on the key requirements of an effective agency and the advantages of both statutory and non-statutory setups is at Annex II. In view of the single-level administrative system in Hong Kong, the Study recommended that a non-statutory harbour committee would better suit the Hong Kong context.
3. Review of the Harbour and Waterfront Plan
3.1 Adopting a set of planning and design principles as guiding light, the 'Harbour and Waterfront Plan' was prepared as an integrated planning framework after having taken into consideration various constraints and opportunities, including land uses and development projects perceived at the time of study. Planning continuous waterfront promenades for various public uses along both sides of the harbour was the key component featured centrally in the 'Harbour and Waterfront Plan'.
3.2 However, the Harbour Plan Study was based on the then reclamation proposals in the harbour. Events happened in the past months have reshaped the landscape for harbour planning. The court has now laid down a clear interpretation of the Protection of Harbour Ordinance and various community groups have expressed their wishes for the harbour. Major factors/events are summarised in Annex III. With new circumstances and the desire to plan and make our harbour attractive, vibrant and accessible to all, a review to the 'Harbour and Waterfront Plan' now becomes timely, so as to enable the preparation of a new integrated harbour plan to guide uses along our harbourfront.
4. Review Process
4.1 The planned review, consisting of three major components, will be comprehensive and thorough. As a first step, the harbour planning principles and overall planning framework previously established would be reviewed in the light of the court judgement on harbour reclamation to guide the formulation of a new integrated planning framework.
4.2 The second component involves examining potential enhancement opportunities, both short-term and long-term, along existing harbourfront. Design and improvement schemes would be prepared and launched in order to bring improvement to the identified areas and to enhance public enjoyment of the harbourfront.
4.3 The third component emphasises on new waterfront areas under the Central Reclamation with works in progress as well as the Wan Chai and South East Kowloon (Kai Tak) developments. No doubt this will have to dovetail with the planning and engineering review relating to Wan Chai Development Phase II and South East Kowloon Development underway. By applying the adopted planning and design principles, we hope to keep abreast of community aspirations and maximize opportunity for public enjoyment of our new waterfront.
4.4 Recognizing the importance of continuous dialogue with the community throughout the review, a community engagement process is planned and featured as a key component in each of the three stages in partnership with different stakeholders.
5. Community Engagement Programme
5.1 A community engagement programme is being devised, intended to provide a platform for community groups to participate through multilateral dialogues and activities. We would solicit input from the community through a package of events ranging from public forum, exhibitions, and focus group meetings.
5.2 Our programme is upfront, inclusive and interactive to allow public input to shape planning concepts and the formulation of a new integrated 'Harbour and Waterfront Plan', within which planning review of new harbourfronts at Wan Chai and South East Kowloon (Kai Tak) will be conducted. A tentative event calendar for the upcoming community engagement programme is at Annex IV.
6. Enhancement Proposals
6.1 As part of our drive to enhance our harbourfront, quick enhancement projects will be initiated at selected locations to bring about environmental improvement and enable enhanced public enjoyment. A set of guidelines has been adopted to identify suitable locations for enhancement. Details of the search criteria are listed in Annex V.
6.2 6.2 Conceptual design schemes for Central Outlying Ferry Pier, and Hung Hom are attached at Annexes VI & VII to illustrate the type of improvement works perceived. The design schemes are only tentative at the moment, and detailed proposals will be formulated for consideration of the Committee after further feasibility assessment and consultation with Government departments, subject to resource availability. There may be other areas suitable for quick enhancement projects and the Committee's inputs are welcomed.
7. Advice Sought
Members are invited to :
- note and comment on the 'Harbour and Waterfront Plan' review;
- note and comment on the Community Engagement Programme; and
- note the possible quick enhancement projects.
Attachments
Secretariat, Harbour-front Enhancement Committee
May 2004
'Planning Study on the Harbour and its Waterfront Areas'
Planning Study on the Harbour and its Waterfront Areas
The 'Planning Study on the Harbour and its Waterfront Areas' (the Study), commenced in end 1999 and completed in early 2003, was jointly commissioned by the Planning Department and Hong Kong Tourism Board. The Study covering the entire harbourfront areas (Plan 1) aims at, amongst other things, formulating :
- Harbour and Waterfront Plan to guide the use of waterfront areas and the harbour up to 2016 and beyond;
- Tourism Plan recommending major tourism development components and opportunities; and
- Action Area Plans for selected areas indicating the priority, scale and types of action required.
Foundation of the Study
In the course of the Study, utilizing feedback from various public consultation exercises, a set of guiding planning principles and planning framework were established as backbone to steer the subsequent formulation of the recommended Harbour and Waterfront Plan.
Harbour planning principles
- give tourism/recreation uses which can benefit from waterfront access priority in the inner harbour, while balancing the needs of other uses;
- group tourist attractions in clusters;
- consolidate tourism clusters in and close to inner harbour;
- locate secondary tourism nodes and recreation uses around the outer harbour;
- improve pedestrian accessibility to the waterfront from public transport access points;
- provide continuity of waterfront promenades to link tourism clusters;
- integrate hinterland areas with the public waterfront, through improved visual, landscape and pedestrian linkage; and
Harbour Planning Framework
Established based on the adopted Harbour Planning Principles, the Harbour Planning Framework consists of different elements in providing a strategic context for the Recommended Harbour and Waterfront Plan. (Plan 2)
Urban Design and Landscape Principles
- alternate activity clusters and peaceful areas;
- quality design along the waterfront;
- step down building height to harbour shore;
- emphasise key locations with landmark buildings/features;
- integrate or connect historic building with waterfront;
- create strong visual links to waterfront from hinterland activity centres;
- maximise continuity of waterfront promenade;
- create focal open spaces for lively outdoor activities and as viewpoints at intervals along waterfront; and
- provide direct access to waterfront from mass public transport and activity centres.
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Annex II: Key Requirements of Harbour Agency and Comparison between
Statutory and Non-statutory Framework
Key Requirements of an Effective Agency to Implement Harbour Planning
- strong vision to ensure implementation is pursued with vigour and imagination;
- correct focus for setting appropriate priorities between competing demand on the harbour;
- sufficient powers and authority to achieve effective different actions;
- sufficient financial resources to respond adequately to harbour needs; and
- appropriate manpower resources and expertise to ensure high quality design of buildings and open spaces.
Comparison of the advantages between Statutory and Non-statutory Harbour Committee
Main Advantages of Statutory Harbour Committee
- single-minded and can work vigorously;
- statutory authority; and
- better able to initiate and participate in partnership with private sector.
Main Advantages of Non-statutory Harbour Committee
- quick to establish and function;
- flexible to changes; and
- less likely to disrupt existing work of Government and legislative procedures
Annex III: Major Factors/Events Affecting Harbour Planning
- ruling from the Court of Final Appeal on interpretation of the 'Protection of Harbour Ordinance' where a single 'overriding public need' test has now been established;
- both the development framework and scale of the Wan Chai and South East Kowloon (Kai Tak) will be reviewed taking the court ruling into account;
- Government decided not to pursue with the Western District and Tsuen Wan Bay reclamation;
- community aspirations on development along the harbour and use of waterfront areas have changed; and
- the community seeks greater involvement in harbour planning through wider public consultation and continuous participation.
Annex IV: Event Calendar of the Community Engagement Programme 2004
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| Early May | Consult Harbourfront Enhancement Committee Paper on 'Harbour and Waterfront Plan Review' |
| End May | Roving Exhibition on Review of Harbour Planning |
| Early June | Workshop and Public Forum on Harbour Planning Principles and Wan Chai Development |
| Mid July | Public Forum on South East Kowloon Development |
| Early August | Report back to the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee on the results of public forum on Harbour Planning Principles and Wan Chai Development, including any alternatives recommended |
| Late August | Report back to the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee on the results of public forum on South East Kowloon Development, including any alternatives recommended |
| Late September | Public consultation on development concept for Wan Chai development |
| Late November | Public consultation on development concept for South East Kowloon |
Annex V: Criteria for Selection of Quick Enhancement Proposals
Key Requirements of an Effective Agency to Implement Harbour Planning
- Area generally accessible by pedestrians;
- In close proximity to activity or transport node;
- On Government land;
- With potential to integrate with other improvement works;
- With potential to integrate with adjoining development;
- With potential to integrate with hinterland;
- No land use or programming conflict with planned or on-going development works; and
- Not solely or substantially relying on private sector.
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