The HKIUD Public Affairs Committee’s Comments on the “Multi-Purpose Sports Complex at Kai Tak”

1.The proposed MPSC comprises essentially three large sports facilities connected by a super deck and bordered by some adjoining parks. It is situated between the new developments at Kai Tak and the old city area of Ma Tau Kok, and it is also visually very prominent and visible from most parts of the city around the harbour. From an urban design point of view, comments on the proposed project must therefore focus on issues about its connectivity and identity.

2.Connectivity - The consultant’s master planning is illustrated by an urban design framework plan, and other plans on the public transport and pedestrian networks. However, these drawings are two dimensional and are in lack of details about the actual connections, in particular, those concerning the edges or interface conditions as well as connections in a vertical sense. 

3.There is concern about the treatment of the edges, especially in view of the very large elevated podium as some of the edges appear to be more than 0.5 km long. Firstly, it is not clear how the pedestrian movements from say the proposed parking areas and PTT to the sports facilities would be arranged, including any segregation between those for services purposes, players and spectators, particularly as the volumes of pedestrian flow may be expected to be enormous. Moreover, as emphasis is given to the integration with the adjoining parks, suitable greening should be provided along such edges. Suitable covers and shade trees should also be considered to provide shelter from inclement weather if connection between one sports facility and another is mainly to rely on the podium. It is apparently very difficult to cross Road D2 at grade between the southern part of the site i.e. the Main Stadium site and the northern part of the site i.e. the Indoor Sports Centre site. “An additional podium connection over the future Shing Kai Road” is indicated at location “3” on the Concept Master Plan, as something that has “to be included in planning application”.  This also reinforces our concern about the north-southThere is also no detail shown at all about such “additional podium”. We would ask that a comprehensive design should be made now rather than to be left as something to be tagged on afterwards. 

4.Whilst the site is located in the middle of several major transport links, the timing may not necessarily all fit. Central Kowloon Route, after some delays, appears to be scheduled for completion by 2023 at the earliest under the current programme and is still under review. Whereas the MPSC is intended to be completed in 2022. The additional traffic generated by the MPSC may possibly aggravate the traffic conditions in the adjoining districts substantially.

5.Whilst the Concept plan indicates the possibility of linkage with a EFTS in the Kai Tak area and even a station to be located here, this is only a very vague notion with no details about the location and time of implementation.

6.Connectivity has also to be considered in relation to the old city area of Ma Tau Kok. There is a lack of such east-west pedestrian links. These connections would be important for integration with the community, gaining their support and help to make the area more vibrant.

7.Likewise, to help make the area more vibrant, the links with the other sports and leisure facilities need to be elaborated. In particular, the connections with the Dining Cove area and the waterfront would deserve more detailed consideration. This part is the most noticeable “frontage” as seen from the Victoria Harbour, and has great recreational and tourism potential, including possible ferry or water taxis landing piers. The design should have a distinctive, world-class design.

8.Identity –  The MPSC which aims at holding of international events warrants a design with a strongThe identity may not necessarily be concerned with elaborate architectural forms – which understandably may be restricted by budgets. There should however be some strong theme throughout the whole complex and the area as a whole, including how the Station Square is to be designed. We understand that public consultation has been made separately on the station square. Although we support the undertaking of public engagement in general, it is not entirely desirable for engagement to be made in a piecemeal manner where it involves a territory wide and unique development. Compromises often result in mediocrity. To say the least, branding for promotion purposes also needs a clear identity to be successful. In a more down to earth level, a clear identity would help in the design of signage and paths so that one can find his way about within the area easily.

9.Other comments  A people-centred inclusive design strategy should be adopted in the layout and distribution of facilities and in the detailed design of street furnitures and facilities in the parks. Inclusive design is more than making the spaces barrier free. It should be conducive to joint use by the handicapped together with the able bodied persons together, and is in line with the spirit of the Olympics. 

10.Other comments –  It is wondered whether the hotel with 300 rooms is a suitable or adequate provision in the MPSC project. What are the provisions and arrangements for athletes and spectators in the season of international events ? and whether there are other accommodation facilities in the vicinity as most other sites are zoned for Residential development to meet the local housing needs.

11.Last but not least, it would be desirable if 3 dimensional drawings and cross sections are provided to facilitate the understanding and for useful comments to be made in future public engagement events.

 Public Affairs Committee of

The Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design

July 2016