The HKIUD Public Affairs Committee’s views on the "Revitalization of Tsui Ping River” Project of the Energizing Kowloon East Office

1.We support EKEO’s efforts in its overall strategy of transforming Kowloon East into an alternative Core Business District (CBD2) and its Green CBD initiatives. It can be envisaged that transforming an old industrial area where various old and new economic activities as well as old and new buildings mingle daily with each other is a great challenge. Amongst all its other projects, HKIUD considers that this one by revitalizing the King Yip Street Nullah into a green “Tsui Ping River” is an exemplary right step forward.

2.The proposed actions jointly by EKEO & DSD in this project have demonstrated sensible application of several important urban design principles, such as pedestrian friendliness, walkability, connectivity and place making, etc., which are described briefly below.

3.The riverside pedestrian walkways would be accessible from many access points linking into the adjacent street network and even further with the Kwun Tong Swimming Pool complex across the busy Kwun Tong Road. The proposed swopping of the temporary carpark site and Government land with the Shing Yip Street Rest Garden would optimize the potential of both sites and create a synergy effect. After swopping, the re-provisioned garden will be better integrated with the proposed water features in the middle and lower sections of the River as well as more easily connected to the park adjoining Laguna City across the flyover via the at grade crossings beneath. On the site to the east of Shing Yip Street, which is now also an open air carpark, greater potential and opportunities would be released upon the enlargement after the swop. The project proponent shall consider to further enhancing the area by introduction of conditions to require its ground level be set back or dedicated for public use. This will further enhance the enjoyment of the river side amenities by the public, when this enlarged site is redeveloped. The pedestrian realm should not be just limited to the pedestrian walkways for people to pass through. “Public spaces” should also be created where people can repose and activities like performances can be staged.

4.The improvement to pedestrian walkways along the riverside is complimented, since it certainly complies with the Harbour Planning Principles of improving public accessibility to the harbourfront.  There is in fact already a very popular promenade at the Kwun Tong waterfront. HKIUD suggests that the following refinements shall be considered:

(i) Make the transition between the riverside walkway blend into the harbourfront promenade smoothly instead of abutting at a sharp angle;

(ii) Consideration should be made to add more meaning or visual interest to this converging point since it is located at the estuary and also has quite obvious visual relationship with the Kai Tak Runway Park which is almost directly across the entrance of the Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter.

5. HKIUD, however, cautions the project proponent that to make the place more vibrant may not necessarily require over-designing. Flexibilities should be reserved, with room for people’s free enjoyment and informal activities. The policy of promoting “Water Friendly Culture and Activities” is fine, but with hindsight, it may not necessarily feature in for example, the form of an elaborate musical fountain on the Kwun Tong waterfront.

6.These improvements would not be possible without the technical initiative and support from the works departments. The Drainage Services Department’s proposals to improve the water quality and placing of the utility installations away from the waterfront should be complimented. To make the pedestrian network connections with the Tsui Ping River amenities work, the traffic congestion and parking problems in the KTBA would also have to be resolved. This would no doubt require even more effort and the cooperation from other concerned departments. We understand that implementation is not easy and the hurdles are, in many circumstances, not without good courses. The project demonstrates the success of a project requires joint and coordinated effort of multi-disciplinary teams across departmental fences, like how EKEO is currently taking the lead with the support of DSD. HKIUD believes that this is a correct approach ahead for tackling the complex issues in urban area regeneration and for achieving good urban design.

Public Affairs Committee of

The Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design

18 September 2015