2007/06/14
A New Central Waterfront campiagn
New rezoning request for the Central Waterfront
designinghongkong has applied for twenty-three amendments to be made to the Outline Zoning Plans for the Central Waterfront.
We consider the changes fundamental. They increase competition, improve vibrancy, create visual corridors, allow better air ventilation, reduce land for surface roads, extend the tram network to the waterfront and enable the Star Ferry Clock Tower and Queen's Pier to be put back in their original location.
It is critical to review the plans and not just the design, because without future reclamation this is the last chance to get the final harbour-front done right in Central.
We have broken up the two key sites: The groundscraper and the festival market. Not only does this create a better urban environment, it will make Central more diverse. Rather than having two developers control the area, our plan will allow at least five developers to own a part of the Central Waterfront and compete with each in attracting residents, businesses and tourists.
We acknowledge that the proposals reduce the overall gross floor area and premium income potential, and that the changes will require the Administration to revisit previous assumptions. However, this short term loss will be more than compensated for by the economic benefits of the improved quality of life in the long term.
In summary, the proposed amendments are:
Reduce maximum height of new buildings between IFC and the Ferry Piers;
Convert the Statue Square Corridor into a park.
this will also allow the Star Ferry Clock Tower to be returned to its former location;
Split the groundscraper into 3 separate smaller buildings;
Split the festival market into 2 separate smaller buildings;
Reduce the width of road P2;
Re-instate Queen's Pier and Edinburgh Place in their present location;
Convert the western section of the PLA barracks to open space;
Built a pier for the PLA to free up the harbour-front;
Reduce the size of the new buildings in front of the APA;
Reserve land for a tram along the waterfront.
Support Formhttp://www.designinghongkong.com/download_files/pdf/central_waterfront_amendment_support_form.pdf?
Click here for the English press
releasehttp://www.harbourdistrict.com.hk/enews/20070531/PR_Rezoning_Central.pdf?
Click here for the Chinese press releasehttp://www.harbourdistrict.com.hk/enews/20070531/PR_Rezoning_Central_c.pdf?
Designing Hong Kong is an alliance of four individuals, including Ms. Christine Loh, former Legislative Councillor and CEO of the non-profit think-tank Civic Exchange; Mr. Peter H. Y Wong, Chartered Accountant, Chairman of the Business and Professionals Federation of Hong Kong, and member of the Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council and the Executive Committee of the Commission on Strategic Development; Mr. Markus Shaw, Chairman of the Worldwide Fund for Nature, Hong Kong, and member of the Advisory Council on the Environment; and Paul Zimmerman, Executive Director of Jebsen Travel, Convenor of Designing Hong Kong Harbour District and Vice-Chairman of the Coalition on Sustainable Tourism.
designinghongkong has applied for twenty-three amendments to be made to the Outline Zoning Plans for the Central Waterfront.
We consider the changes fundamental. They increase competition, improve vibrancy, create visual corridors, allow better air ventilation, reduce land for surface roads, extend the tram network to the waterfront and enable the Star Ferry Clock Tower and Queen's Pier to be put back in their original location.
It is critical to review the plans and not just the design, because without future reclamation this is the last chance to get the final harbour-front done right in Central.
We have broken up the two key sites: The groundscraper and the festival market. Not only does this create a better urban environment, it will make Central more diverse. Rather than having two developers control the area, our plan will allow at least five developers to own a part of the Central Waterfront and compete with each in attracting residents, businesses and tourists.
We acknowledge that the proposals reduce the overall gross floor area and premium income potential, and that the changes will require the Administration to revisit previous assumptions. However, this short term loss will be more than compensated for by the economic benefits of the improved quality of life in the long term.
In summary, the proposed amendments are:
Reduce maximum height of new buildings between IFC and the Ferry Piers;
Convert the Statue Square Corridor into a park.
this will also allow the Star Ferry Clock Tower to be returned to its former location;
Split the groundscraper into 3 separate smaller buildings;
Split the festival market into 2 separate smaller buildings;
Reduce the width of road P2;
Re-instate Queen's Pier and Edinburgh Place in their present location;
Convert the western section of the PLA barracks to open space;
Built a pier for the PLA to free up the harbour-front;
Reduce the size of the new buildings in front of the APA;
Reserve land for a tram along the waterfront.
Support Formhttp://www.designinghongkong.com/download_files/pdf/central_waterfront_amendment_support_form.pdf?
Click here for the English press
releasehttp://www.harbourdistrict.com.hk/enews/20070531/PR_Rezoning_Central.pdf?
Click here for the Chinese press releasehttp://www.harbourdistrict.com.hk/enews/20070531/PR_Rezoning_Central_c.pdf?
Designing Hong Kong is an alliance of four individuals, including Ms. Christine Loh, former Legislative Councillor and CEO of the non-profit think-tank Civic Exchange; Mr. Peter H. Y Wong, Chartered Accountant, Chairman of the Business and Professionals Federation of Hong Kong, and member of the Greater Pearl River Delta Business Council and the Executive Committee of the Commission on Strategic Development; Mr. Markus Shaw, Chairman of the Worldwide Fund for Nature, Hong Kong, and member of the Advisory Council on the Environment; and Paul Zimmerman, Executive Director of Jebsen Travel, Convenor of Designing Hong Kong Harbour District and Vice-Chairman of the Coalition on Sustainable Tourism.
