|
Development of a Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui
We propose to develop the existing Public Transport Interchange (PTI) adjacent to the Tsim Sha Tsui (TST) Star Ferry Pier into a piazza. The main objective of the proposed development is to provide a new public open space for use by locals and visitors alike. As the piazza under planning is strategically located amongst various popular tourist attractions, including the Avenue of Stars, Hong Kong Cultural Centre, Star Ferry, TST Clock Tower and major shopping malls, it will leverage these attractions as well as enhance their linkages, providing a natural focus for both locals and visitors. Coupled with the magnificent harbour view, the piazza has tremendous potential to become another key tourist attraction.
Since August 2007, the Government has started relocating the bus routes using the PTI to terminate at TST East (Mody Road) Bus Terminus in phases. The PTI site, which will be vacated after the relocation of all relevant bus routes, can be used for the development of the piazza.
Public Engagement
To ensure that the proposed piazza would serve the needs of both locals and visitors, we have gauged public views through different channels and actively explored options on the possible uses and modes of development and management of the piazza. On 30 May 2007, the Tourism Commission organized a workshop inviting relevant stakeholders and professional bodies to express their views on the uses and development and management modes of the proposed piazza. Participants included business operators in the neighbourhood, developers, public transport operators (i.e. Star Ferry Company, Kowloon Motor Bus Company, Mass Transit Railway Corporation and the then Kolwoon-Canton Railway Company), representatives of the tourism and hotel industries, and members of the Yau Tsim Mong District Council. Views and suggestions collected at the Workshop were consolidated by an independent consultant into a workshop report, which was uploaded onto the Tourism Commission's website for a 3-month community engagement exercise. In parallel, we have approached various key stakeholders and relevant professional bodies to obtain their feedback and suggestions for the Project.
The majority of views collected supported the development of the piazza, notably the Yau Tsim Mong District Council which gave strong support and urged the Government to take forth the project as soon as possible. In addition, the tourism sector, including the Hong Kong Tourism Board, Travel Industry Council of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Association of Travel Agents, Hong Kong Association of Registered Tour Co-ordinators Limited, Hong Kong Professional Tourist Guides General Union, The Federation of Hong Kong Hotel Owners, and Hong Kong Hotels Association appealed to the Government for early implementation of the initiative, which would help promote the development of tourism and the economy of Hong Kong.
The views collected in the course of the public engagement exercise were compiled by the independent consultant into a report, which has also been uploaded to this website.
Planning Principles for the Project
Based on community feedback previously received, we had proposed some planning principles for the Project prior to public consultation, as follows, which were well received by the public, including the Yau Tsim Mong District Council and the tourism sector etc. in the course of our public engagement -
| (a) |
the existing TST Star Ferry Pier, the TST Clock Tower and the five flag-posts should not be affected; |
| |
|
| (b) |
suitable arrangements should be put in place to facilitate locals and visitors to take buses or taxis to and from TST Star Ferry Pier (i.e. provision of adequate bus stops and taxi stand as close to the TST Star Ferry Pier as possible); and |
| |
|
| (c) |
irrespective of whether the project is to be implemented by the Government or the private sector, a mechanism should be established to select private partners through open tender and to engage the public effectively in the implementation and monitoring process. |
Also, in pursuit of the project, we would endeavour to avoid creating any additional traffic and transport burden in the vicinity of TST Star Ferry Pier.
Proposed Development Parameters
Based on the results of the public engagement set out in the consultant's report and the preliminary views of relevant departments on the feasibility of the suggestions, we have drawn up a set of proposed development parameters for the project for consultation with the Economic Development (ED) Panel of the Legislative Council (the ED Panel paper), as follows -
| A. Design |
| |
|
| (a) |
The proposed piazza will be developed into a district open space where, according to the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines, building site coverage shall not be more than 10% of the site area. |
| |
|
| (b) |
The site is subject to a building height restriction of 15 metres above Principal Datum, or that of the existing building, whichever is the greater. |
| |
|
| (c) |
The development will take due consideration of the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines, the Harbour Planning Principles and Harbour Planning Guidelines developed by the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee, and the Town Planning Board's Vision Statement and Objective in Harbour Planning, and observe all prevailing planning requirements and land use zoning restrictions. |
| |
|
| (d) |
Pedestrian accessibility to the waterfront will be maintained for locals and visitors. In addition, there shall be emergency, maintenance and operational vehicular access for the Hong Kong Cultural Centre in the adjacent site. |
| |
|
| (e) |
A holistic design will be adopted to enable the piazza to be integrated in harmony with the surrounding environment both visually and functionally. |
| |
|
| (f) |
A suitable theme of design may be considered to enhance the uniqueness and attractiveness of the piazza, it shall be related to the history of the piazza and its vicinity (e.g. Victoria Harbour, transport hub, etc.) . |
| |
|
| B. Functions and uses |
| |
|
| (a) |
There will be landscaping with trees, greenery, lawn areas and seating for passive enjoyment.
|
| |
|
| (b) |
Open space will be provided to cater for a multitude of public activities ranging from cultural and art performances, mini concerts and art exhibitions, to outdoor carnivals and New Year countdown, etc. |
| |
|
| (c) |
Provision of outside seating accommodation which operates on a make-shift basis for alfresco dining, and facilities which are ancillary and incidental to the piazza including souvenir / food kiosks and a visitor information centre may be considered. |
| |
|
| (d) |
Provision of shelters and covered walkways, which shall not obstruct the "openness" of the piazza, could be considered to better facilitate locals and visitors in travelling to and from the TST Star Ferry Pier. |
| |
|
| |
Although some of the views collected favour the provision of underground facilities, these have not been included in the proposed development parameters for the Project due to technical constraints. |
| |
|
| C. Development mode |
| |
|
| |
We propose that Government should provide funding for the design and construction of the piazza, and invite the private sector to take up the design and construction works. This can be implemented in two stages - |
| |
|
| (a) |
Design of the piazza
To allow greater scope for creativity, we propose to conduct an open design competition. We envisage that the earliest date to start the design competition will be early 2009. |
| |
|
| (b) |
Construction of the piazza
We propose to conduct an open tender to select and appoint a contractor to construct the piazza based on the winning design. |
| |
|
| D. Management mode |
| |
|
| |
Public views collected generally favour the private sector to operate and to finance the operation of the proposed piazza. However, having regard to the possible impact of the piazza's final design on its future facilities and commercial viability, we recommend to consider the management mode of the piazza and put up a more concrete proposal after the design for the Project is confirmed. |
| |
|
| The development parameters above constitute our preliminary proposal for the Project, and may be fine-tuned subject to more detailed assessment on technical feasibility, planning restrictions, traffic impact assessment, cost analysis, etc. |
| |
Way Forward
Subject to the support of the ED Panel, we would draw up further details of the open design competition. We aim to launch the open design competition in early 2009.
Relevant Documents
Paper for Economic Development Panel of the Legislative Council on 23 June 2008
PowerPoint Presentation for the Legislative Council Panel on Economic Development on 23 June 2008 (Chinese Version Only)
Report on the Views Collection Exercise
Report of Workshop on "Development of a Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui"
Other information on Workshop on "Development of a Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui" held on 30 May 2007
Back
to Current Projects Index
|
|