The Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design Public Affairs Committee’s comments on the : Revitalisation of Tsui Ping River Stage 1 Public Engagement

HKIUD previously presented our outline views on the project in September 2015.

The key points were:-

1.  HKIUD strongly support the objectives of EKEO and DSD in focusing the project as a catalyst for revitalization of the area;

2. We consider that the project proponent is demonstrating an understanding of the various and complex urban design issues involved;

3. Opportunities for improved urban design and success of the project could be increased by considered use of adjacent land through land exchange;

4. Integration with the waterfront through pedestrian connection to “zone D” is essential;

5. The project does not rely on the inclusion of numerous “design features”. User connectivity, flexibility and accessibility will be the key considerations.

6. Integrated planning and involvement from other works and maintenance departments will be essential.

Further to the focus group session attended on 2 March 2017 we note the following:

VISUAL CONNECTIVITY

The visual quality of any upgraded landscape achieved within the river channel will be irrelevant if it cannot be visually accessed and observed at street level. The existing nullah is surrounded by a solid parapet wall which prohibits not only access to the water margin, but visual amenity. Any proposals must seek to remove visual barriers and allow the river to become fully integrated into the surrounding urban realm. Successful industrial waterfront urban regeneration, as seen in such cities as Copenhagen, London, Bristol, New York and Amsterdam, demonstrate that safety railings or barriers within dense and confined urban environments rarely have a place. The project images currently provided imply ‘opaque’ barriers around the full perimeter of the river, and such barriers will still hinder the visual integration in urban design terms. Achieving open edge access to the rejuvenated river should be a paramount design objective. Further, it is equally important to communicate this objective with the public and other development agents of keeping the ambience of this “River” as open as possible, to achieve a quality open space in this area of anticipated increasing density. For example, any crawl-over structures, such as footbridge or rail lines, should have minimum interference with the River area.

WATER CONNECTIVITY

The overriding human urge to get close to water should be recognised by the inclusion of stepped edges, ramps, dropped terraces and floating decks. Although it is understood that the width of walkways around the river are often narrow, opportunities exist at both the proposed Tsui Ping River Garden and the existing Shing Yip Street Rest Garden to provide a terraced, set-back edge, with lowered and programmed water access. The water control gate and upstream control measures, along with seasonal fluctuation, mean that safe, controlled waterside access should be implementable. The success of urban water edges such as, Cheonggyecheon River Urban Park in Seoul, Camley Street Natural Park; Kings Cross in London and Southbank in Melbourne highlight the importance of creating social interaction places at water edge.

HINTERLAND CONNECTIVITY

The potential for the river to form an important focus within the surrounding urban realm is undeniable. However the lower river sections “C” and “D” are severed from the existing pedestrian network by the heavy traffic on King Yip Street and Wai Yip Street. The conceptual plan indicates enhanced pedestrian connections along King Yip Street, and these will be critical in tethering pedestrian access to the river. The project proponent is encouraged in the importance of working together with Highways Department to implement interventions that promote pedestrian priority across these streets, which may form useful pilot studies for other areas of Kwun Tong. Solutions may include level changes, table crossings, lane narrowing or surfacing changes, all of which should aim to assist clear and barrier free connection to the river from the surrounding pedestrian network. Connectivity to section “D” and the waterfront promenade across Wai Yip Street could be improved by changing the location of the controlled traffic crossing, sequencing and holding points to better incorporate a crossing at the River.

LAND REQUIREMENTS

The use of riverbank pathways as a pedestrian connector is undoubtedly beneficial. However such green link also provides opportunities to provide social nodes and quality spaces which should not be overlooked.

Tsui Ping River Garden

The area offers opportunity for a dedicated river related space as the scheme focus. By augmenting the nullah edge, areas could be provided for water diversion, capacity change, enhanced education, water related technology and particularly grade change to accommodate social interaction. The Park should avoid becoming another standardised Hong Kong green space and aspire to a dedicated, high quality and unique community location.

Shing Yip Street Rest Garden

The waterside interface of the Park should be adjusted to provide a unified interface with the River. Such modification would provide opportunities for river edge modification and widening whilst better integrating the Park with the new Tsui Ping River Garden across Shing Yip Street. Indeed the opportunities of land exchange or lease condition requirements that might gain widened public space to the river frontage at the adjacent temporary car park site would also offer creative space opportunities and be to the public benefit.

Kwun Tong Road Footbridge

Removing the long ramp from the landing at Kwun Tong Swimming Pool and replacing it with a stair and elevator, whilst appearing to improve the appearance of the River, may not assist public circulation and ease of access. Indeed, a footbridge over this section of the River may also be stimulating for users and a better use of confined space. We have reservations about the proposals and consider that funds could be better directed at improving the landing arrangement of the bridge on the west side of Kwun Tong Road by straightening and integrating with the proposed new river crossing in “Section B.” Such integration could also be incorporated into any lease conditions within development of the temporary car park site.

HKIUD understands the complexities and difficulties of implementing the project but encourages an integrated approach across the various Government works and maintenance branches in order to maximise the potential of the land resource. Whilst the proposed interventions can be seen as beneficial, it will require all the stakeholders to buy into the vision, particularly Lands, Transport and Highways Departments and an early understanding of where ongoing maintenance commitments and recurrent costs might lie.

Public Affairs Committee, HKIUD

March 2017