An Intergrated Harbour front : A World Class Identity

Hong Kong Harbour has long been the focus and identity of the city. However, while much valued, its coastal identity, especially along the eastern seaboard of Hong Kong Island, is one that is much underutilised and for the most part inaccessible and/or unattractive in appearance.

This situation is in direct contrast with the intention to establish Hong Kong as a true world class city in the eyes of visitors and residents, and to the benefit of public enjoyment. There have been repeated calls in recent times to look at and plan for a Hong Kong Island harbourfront in a holistic and integrated manner, combining and connecting existing attractions and neighbourhoods with new, readily accessible facilities by road, rail and pedestrian footpaths.

To understand the potential of the waterfront along Island East, it is helpful to recall the identity and character along the present harbourfront.

A significant pattern soon appears:

The western section of the harbour possesses, and looks likely to continue to possess an essential working role.

The central harbour is seen to embody elements of modern progress, and to embrace a limited heritage presence among its generally postcard-friendly architecture.

The eastern harbour is easily identified as a place where heritage, both historic and recent, can be enhanced and retained.

Viewed objectively it is clear that, while several areas along the waterfront have the potential to serve their respective neighbourhoods in various ways, Island East, with its highest population density of Hong Kong Island in the area, stands out as deserving its own combination of large open space and leisure focus. It is proposed that appropriate, well planned infrastructure, access, traffic and pedestrian flows, and additional public attractions here are not only achievable but also highly desirable.