Press Releases

Designing Hong Kong Harbour District
Announces Report on Research Findings

(July 5, 2004, Monday) HONG KONG --- "Designing Hong Kong Harbour District" (DHKHD) today announces in a Public and Media Briefing the key findings from a research conducted since February this year on the integrated planning of Victoria Harbour and its surrounding districts. The final report, titled "Building Consensus on Sustainable Planning Principles for the Harbour District" contains the key principles for a sustainable planning process, which can guide capacity building for 9.2 million residents and 70 million tourists by 2030, while protecting the harbour as a core asset. The report will be presented to the HKSAR Government and key stakeholders.

Key findings of the research include integrated planning of land use of the harbour foreshore to enhance its accessibility, activity and vibrancy; the choices to be made between property development, surface/elevated transport infrastructure and open space without reclamation; and strong recommendation of a high-level statutory body to be responsible for the foreshore development such as a "Harbour Foreshore Authority".

"The report gives a consensus view of principles, which require further work by the government and stakeholders to convert into practical solutions. We hope that our research findings will help focus resources on addressing these issues, improve the planning process and drive constructive dialogue to make our harbour truly world-class and up to the aspirations of citizens," said Paul Zimmerman, Chief Coordinator of DHKHD.

The report will be presented by Dr. Andrew Thomson, CEO of Business Environment Council and co-organiser of the DHKHD project, to the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee this week. The report will also be officially submitted to the relevant government bureaux and departments as well.

DHKHD has appointed an Independent Panel for the verification of the aforesaid report, so that it is a fair and balanced reflection of the research findings. The Independent Panel are Prof. Peter Hills, Director of the Centre of Urban Planning and Environmental Management at The University of Hong Kong; Prof. K. C. Lam, Chairman of Geography and Resource Management at The Chinese University of Hong Kong; and Ms. Terri Mottershead, Director of Professional Development, MindTheme Consulting.

Enclosure: Summary Research Report from Designing Hong Kong Harbour District

For press enquiries, please contact:
Ms Loretta Chang, 2234 6424 / 6446 1513, loretta@bbluesky.com
Ms Edith Wong, 2234 6424 / 9261 8574, edith@bbluesky.com

About "Designing Hong Kong Harbour District"

Designing Hong Kong Harbour District is a community initiative which calls for integrated sustainable urban planning for the entire Harbour District, including Victoria Harbour, the harbour front and surrounding districts on Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.

Organizers
Business Environment Council
The Experience Group
GML Consulting

Advisors
Planning Department, Hong Kong SAR
Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
Creative Initiatives Foundation

EnviroSeries Conference - 3 May, 2004
Sponsors: The Australian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Gammon Skanska Limited, Island Shangri-La Hotel Hong Kong, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited, The Kowloon Motor Bus Company (1933) Limited, Motorola Semiconductors Hong Kong Limited, The Swire Group, The Wharf (Holdings) Limited. Organizer: Business Environment Council.

Our supporters
American Chamber of Commerce, Australian Chamber of Commerce, AGC Design, Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, Civic Exchange, Clear the Air, Fairmont Shipping, Friends of the Harbour, Fringe Club, Green Lantau Association, Hongkong Land, Jones Lang LaSalle, Living Islands Movement, MF Jebsen International, Quamnet, Save Kai Tak Campaign, Save our Shorelines, Society for Protection of the Harbour, Sunday Communications, Albert Cheng, Erwin Hardy.

Media Sponsor

Project Information
www.harbourdistrict.com.hk