The Harbour Business Forum's (HBF) New Connectivity Study Outlines Affordable, Practical Solutions To Extend Our Harbour-front Pedestrian Promenade By 137%
(from 8.8km to 22km within HBF's six selected areas)

(16 May 2008, Hong Kong) HBF's Connectivity Study looks at the connectivity around and to the harbour and proposes several key recommendations which will enhance the harbour's pedestrian connectivity by 137% from 8.8km to 22km. Solutions within the report are practical, relatively inexpensive and easy to implement. The study focuses on six "forgotten waterfronts" of Hong Kong such as Heng Fa Chuen, Kowloon Bay, To Kwa Wan and Sai Wan Ho, joining up previously inaccessible areas through the development of a continuous harbour-front promenade, and recreation areas.

The goals of the study was to improve connectivity along and to the harbour-front, with better land and water access to the selected areas; a continuous waterfront pathway of between 10 and 30 meters wide and providing amenities such as water fountains, kiosks and seating along the way. Through extensive assessment 6 areas were selected based on their potential for connectivity, locational importance, land use, physical functions, recreational significance and tourism potential. The six selected areas are:

• Sai Wan – Sheung Wan
  
• Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter – Quarry Bay
• Shau Kei Wan Typhoon Shelter – Heng Fa Chuen
  
• Yau Tong – Kowloon Bay
• To Kwa Wan – Hung Hom
• Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter – Tai Kok Tsui
  

The six key proposals put forward by the study are:

• Transformation of Western Wholesale Food Market Piers at Sai Wan
• Pedestrian and cycle path under the Island Eastern Corridor from North Point to
  Quarry Bay
• Waterfront link through Lei Yue Mun Gap from Shau Kei Wan to Heng Fa Chuen
• Renovation of the ferry piers at North Point, Kwun Tong and Kowloon City and re-
  introducing water transport along the harbour front
• Link alongside Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter from West Kowloon Temporary Park to Tai
  Kok Tsui
• Continuous Harbour-front paths on Hong Kong and Kowloon side
  

The press briefing was hosted by Chair of the Harbour Business Forum’s Executive Committee Mr Jon Addis, the Best Practice Chair Ms Maggie Brooke and a strong professional team including Urban Design & Planning Consultant Limited, Masterplan Limited and Scott Wilson Limited.

For more information please visit Harbour Business Forum's website or contact Brenda Fung at (852) 2784 3938.

About the Harbour Business Forum:

The Harbour Business Forum (HBF) was formally launched in 2005, due to a concern about
development in and around the harbour could have a negative impact upon the future development
of Hong Kong. HBF is primarily a research driven think tank with a distinct, if discreet lobbying
edge defined by its principles and objectives. These include the creation of an overarching agency
for the harbour and the need for any harbour development to have greater access to the harbour.
The full report can be found on HBF's website.