The Opportunity
  A series of public projects are currently changing the face of the Central Waterfront.

The new Convention Centre and the future Civic Centre will create anchoring public institutions at the waterfront. The Central Wanchai Bypass Tunnel, Hong Kong Station and new ferry terminals will improve access and create a new "front door" to the City. The resulting reduction of through-traffic creates an opportunity for more pedestrian friendly streets for the financial district.

The new airport and high speed rail connection is changing the historic pattern of Hong KongÕs development.

For the first time in Hong Kong's many years of rapid growth, continued economic success does not solely depend on maximizing developable land at the City's urban waterfront. New transportation-oriented growth centres will provide a more balanced distribution of economic activity throughout the region.

image 1 The Central Wanchai Bypass is an unprecedented opportunity to create a special place at the water's edge.
  image 2 The new Waterfront will create strong links back into the heart of Hong Kong. Environmental quality, not development capacity, will prove the critical factor in attracting future economic growth.

It is time to recognise that new development capacity alone will not secure Hong Kong's place as a leading international city. Every major Asian city is building infrastructure and opening land for development. Hong Kong's ability to take advantage of its unique natural setting will give the city its edge in sustaining economic growth in the years to come.