 Success
through consensus building
Welcome to the website of the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee.
The Harbour-front Enhancement Committee was formally established
on 1st May 2004.
Introduction
During the past century, Hong Kong had undergone progressive
transformation from a fishing village to an entrepot, an industrial
base and today an international financial centre. Reclamation
was then often resorted to in providing land to meet various
economic, transport, housing and social needs of the community
of Hong Kong.
With the changing aspirations of the community,
there have been increasing concerns over further reclamation
and strong calls from various community groups for active
steps to protect the Harbour.
In response to the community's aspirations
for a common platform to discuss and put into action measures
to protect the development of the harbour-front, including
land use, design, accessibility and management matters, the
Harbour-front Enhancement Committee has been set up to draw together
community's aspirations and efforts, and focus on consensus
building amongst multi-stakeholders in creating a vibrant
harbour-front for the enjoyment of the community.
The Committee
The Committee advises the Government, through the Secretary
for Housing, Planning and Lands on planning, land uses and
developments along the existing and new harbour-front of the
Victoria Harbour, with a view to protecting the Harbour; improving
the accessibility, utilization and vibrancy of the harbour-front
areas; and safeguarding public enjoyment of the Harbour through
a balanced, effective and public participation approach. The
terms of reference of the Committee are available at this
website.
The Committee comprises broad-based representatives
drawn from various professional institutes, harbour planning
and development concern groups, business sector, and independent
personalities so as to foster more balanced discussions on
the harbour-front issues. The Members and I have been re-appointed from 1 May 2006 to 30 June 2007. The list of
membership of the Committee is available at this webpage.
As part of its terms of reference, the Committee
will consider and provide feedback to the Government on the
reviews of the last two pieces of proposed reclamation projects
within Victoria Harbour, namely (i) Wan Chai Development Phase
II; and (ii) South-east Kowloon Development.
The Committee is also invited to provide
suggestions to the Government on how to "Bring People
to the Harbour and the Harbour to the People" - through
various means to better utilize the existing and new waterfront
(including the land reclaimed from the Central Reclamation
Phase III), optimise the design and landscaping of both the
existing and planned public open spaces, enhance pedestrian
connection to the adjoining areas, provide more supportive and
participatory facilities/functions at the waterfront, and
introduce wider variety of land-based and water-based activities.
In response to community aspiration for greater
involvement in the planning and design of the future harbour-front,
the Committee will continue to identify, and/or commission
projects/activities to involve the wider community in the
planning, design, implementation and enjoyment of the harbour-front.
Such activities may include exhibitions, roundtable meetings,
public forums, workshops/seminars, competitions, and etc.
I understand the community has a high
expectation of the Committee, and look forward to the Committee
making concrete and tangible contributions towards improving
the harbour-front. To enable members of the public to keep
a close watching brief on our progress, the operation and
proceedings of the Committee will be as open and transparent
as practicable.
My Expectation
As Chairman of this Committee, I am delighted
to have the opportunity to work closely together with representatives
from professional institutes, harbour planning and development
concern groups, green advocates, business sector, and independent
personalities to achieve success through consensus building.
Our efforts would be in the areas of beautifying the harbour-front,
and creating an impact on harbour-front protection work.
I look forward to hearing from you and active participation
by all members of the public in the work of the Committee.
Thank you.
Professor LEE Chack-fan
Chairman,
Harbour-front Enhancement Committee
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