HONG KONG, 21 May 2006 – A group of concerned citizens today unveiled a model detailing an alternative master plan for the Central Harbourfront including Tamar.

The aim of the model is to demonstrate to Government officials, legislators and the public, how Hong Kong's Harbourfront could become a vibrant and lively area befitting a world city.

The objectives are to enhance Hong Kong's urban signature, create a place people will want to spend time in, and stimulate new permanent job opportunities.

The 3- dimensional model is 2m x 1.3m x 0.5m in size and it was unveiled today at a public forum in Edinburgh Place, Central.

The funding for the model development was provided by Paul Zimmerman, Christine Loh, Markus Shaw and Peter Wong. They believe the alternative will make Hong Kong's Central Harbourfront a world class experience on a par with other iconic city destinations such as Xintiandi in Shanghai, Darling Harbour in Sydney and Pier 39 in San Francisco.

The design of the model takes into account the views from many people.

"We have studied the Government plans and specifications, the review of Central by the Harbour Business Forum, the proposals from Citizens Envisioning@Harbour, the feed-back from various politicians, and the input from participants of the public forum organized by the Central and Western District Council on May 7 th this year," the group explained.

The plan encompasses the same gross floor area (GFA) as currently proposed for the Central Government Offices and Legislative Council, as well as for the commercial developments on the Central (Extension) Outline Zoning Plan. It also includes many green open spaces, a Central Wanchai Bypass and it accepts the current reclamation as given.

"We are trying to create a Central Harbourfront area which future generations will applaud and treasure. It would be an immense tragedy if this opportunity is missed. The changes are simple and not difficult to achieve, and would not even involve undue delays, but it does require trust, a different mindset and a ‘can-do' mentality," the Markus Shaw explained.

Markus Shaw, Chairman, WWF Hong Kong, said: "The Government is still very far from having made a convincing case for moving its offices to Tamar. It is the responsibility of members of the Legco to represent the community and hold the Government to account on this issue, which involves billions of public money; we urge Legco members to take this responsibility seriously."

The group explained the key changes affecting Tamar: "We do not want to see podiums for Tamar. Public spaces should be broken up and residents and tourists must have ready access at all times. It is vital that the facilities allow public activities throughout the day, evening and weekends. P2 is dramatically changed. We want to see trams along P2, pedestrian crossings at grade at both northern corners of Tamar, and street level visual corridors into the city and to the harbour. The MTR Island Northern Line with stations at Tamar and HKCEC should be publicly confirmed at an early date."

Christine Loh said in order for the area to attract resident and visitors, the design briefs for the Tamar site, including Central Government Offices, Legco buildings and public space, need to be drastically altered.

"THERE IS STILL A NEED FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO JUSTIFY ITS TAMAR PLAN. STAYING IN GOVERNMENT HILL REMAINS A REALISTIC OPTION. Our plan PROVIDES A THINKING OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE KIND OF STRUCTURES THAT TAMAR MAY ACCOMMODATE. It calls for the buildings THERE to be reconfigured into smaller units with ground level access, to convert a massive sun-blasted square into smaller shaded public spaces, and to ensure access and activities throughout the day and weekends."

The group has written to the Chairman of Legco's Planning, Lands and Works Committee and the Chair of the Finance Committee requesting meetings to present the model before finalizing the funding of developments on Tamar. A meeting with the Chief Executive's Office to explain the alternative plan has also been sought.

"For Tamar, we urge Legco to approve funding only after it has seen and agreed to a detailed master plan and 3-dimensional model for Tamar including the adjoining areas and roads. This is similar to the controls the Town Planning Board has over the new commercial sites."

"For the other sites of the Central Harbourfront we must make sure that the review by the Planning Department is comprehensive and is not limited to the planning briefs of a few selected buildings. Among others, it must look at transport, roads and zoning," they concluded.

OVERVIEW OF KEY CHANGES:

PUBLIC OPEN SPACES: To avoid massive sun-blasted squares, the open spaces have been distributed into smaller and more distinct spaces surrounded by a diverse mix of facilities which will create multiple experiences to cater to a greater range of tastes and desires of residents and tourists.

TRANSPORT: P2 is changed from a highway into a slow speed boulevard. Rather than a series of underpasses, P2 is proposed to become a friendly tree lined street, with visual access to the harbour and into the city, and aligned with outstanding building facades. A tram and early implementation of a new MTR line are called for to support the transport requirements.

GROUND SCRAPER: The ground scraper has been cut into three properties and the foot deck has been replaced with parks supported with various pedestrian linkages.

PLA BARRACKS AND BERTHING: The wall around the PLA Barracks has been changed to a fence, allowing visual access through the barracks to the harbour, and the PLA berthing requirement is provided for with a pier, minimizing the water-front edge to be closed for security reasons, and maximizing public enjoyment.

FESTIVAL MARKET AND CULTURAL CORRIDOR: Rather than having the water-front dominated by a select few developers, the Festival Market and the development of the ‘cultural corridor' have been split up into smaller developments providing opportunities for multiple developers and a mix of competing land uses.

STREET-LEVEL LIFE: Every effort has been made to provide the public with street level access and an interesting street level experience. Podiums and deckings have been eliminated. There are no underpasses or tunnels through the buildings. A ll buildings have facades which are interactive at ground level. Primary road crossings are pedestrian crossings at grade at both northern corners of the site, supported with all-weather bridges between adjoining buildings. Facilities and land uses stimulating activities throughout the day, evening and weekends are called for.

The model allows for a reduction in density on the Tamar site, showing that the main 20 story high-rise can be removed and replaced with open space. This answers the call by many to preserve Government Hill by accommodating the various departments and Bureaus of Government at the current Central Government Office site and Murray Building.

Related link: [The Tamar Code] ecard Campaign