A sub-committee of the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee (HEC) today (October 6) began a series of public engagement activities of the Realisation Stage of the Harbourfront Enhancement Review ¡V Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Adjoining Areas (HER) to get public views on the Concept Plan for the Wan Chai Development Phase II (WDII) project.
"The Consultants for the WDII project have taken into account ideas and proposals received during the Envisioning Stage of HER in preparing the concept plan in which five 'character precincts' are proposed to enhance the waterfront areas," Chairman of the Sub-committee on WDII Review of the HEC Mr Leung Kong-yui said.
"We would like to hear from the public whether the Concept Plan generally represents what they would like to see along this section of the new harbourfront."
The five character precincts proposed are :
- Arts and Culture Precinct, covering the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) area and the area to its west;
- Water Park Precinct, covering the waterfront area between the HKCEC and the ex-Public Cargo Working Area (ex-PCWA);
- Water Recreation Precinct, covering the ex-PWCA basin;
- Heritage Precinct, covering the Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter and Victoria Park; and
- Leisure and Recreation Precinct, covering the new waterfront area at North Point.
One of the principal opportunities offered by the concept plan is the opening up of the harbourfront to the public. Nine additional and improved pedestrian links between the hinterland and the new waterfront are proposed to promote public access to the harbourside. These include five ground-level crossings and four landscape decks/footbridges. A continuous waterfront promenade extending from Central to North Point will also be provided.
Starting from today (October 6) until November 2, a roving exhibition to display details of the concept plan will be held at Wan Chai, Causeway Bay and Admiralty MTR stations, Revenue Tower and Immigration Tower at Wan Chai and North Point Government Offices. Two community workshops will be convened in the afternoon of October 21 and 28 at the YMCA College of Careers, HK Centre (adjacent to the Hong Kong Arts Centre) and the bandstand of Victoria Park respectively, for people to express their views. The workshops will be preceded by a harbour walk in the morning. A public meeting will be convened on December 16 with an aim of reaching a consensus on the concept plan revised according to outcome of the community workshops and other feedback.
To facilitate public understanding, a digest has been prepared and will be distributed to participants in the engagement activities. More information can be viewed at the HEC website(http://www.harbourfront.org.hk).
People wanting to attend the community workshops, harbour walk or town hall meeting are welcome to make reservations by contacting the sub-committee by phone: 2231 4408 during office hours or via email: bpchan@cedd.gov.hk.
The HER project initiated by the HEC to enhance public participation in the WDII Review comprises three stages: Envisioning Stage, Realisation Stage and Detailed Planning Stage. The Envisioning Stage was completed at the end of 2005. The visions, wishes and concepts expressed in the Envisioning Stage have guided the preparation of the concept plan.
People are now invited in the Realisation Stage to comment and evaluate the concept plan and to reach a consensus on the basis for the preparation of the draft Recommended Outline Development Plan (RODP) and amendments to the relevant Outline Zoning Plans (OZPs) in the subsequent Detailed Planning Stage.
Ends/Friday, October 6, 2006
Issued at HKT 16:52
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