WHAT'S PLANNED

LADDER STREET ESCALATORS

Hong Kong's famous Ladder Street which links Caine Road, Bridges Street, Upper Lascar Row, Hollywood Road and Queen's Road Central is subject of a plan by the Housing and Transport Bureau for escalators to be installed. The "Old Hong Kong" street which was built in the 1840's in five sections comprises entirely of steep steps and landings constructed from granite slabs and concrete paving. Buildings connected by the street which may be familiar to visitors to Hong Kong include the Man Mo Temple and the Old Pathological Institute which is now the Hong Kong Museum of Medical Sciences. The plan has been suggested to mitigate traffic impact following an anticipated relaxation of building restrictions when the MTR West Island Line opens in 2014. There has been some criticism of the plan which, it is considered, may have a detrimental effect on the cultural heritage and local architecture of the area and shortly after the plans were announced in April 2010 proposals were suggested by district councillors and heritage advisers for the escalators to be located at an alternative site at Pound Lane, some 250-metres away.

Escalator links are also being considered at sites in Wong Tai Sin, Kwai Tsing and Eastern Districts.

Escalators have been proposed for Hong Kong's famous Ladder Street (the section above links Caine Road and Bridges Street)

NEW-LOOK MTR STATION CONCEPT TRIALLED AT JORDAN STATION

MTR Corporation is trialling several new concepts for stations of the future following focus group discussions with Hong Kong's younger generation. Based on the desires expressed for more open, environmentally-friendly, lifestyle-oriented and interesting stations these ideas have been put on trial at Jordan Station since January 2010. One of the first changes passengers will notice is the new-look Customer Service Centre which has been re-designed to be warmer, more spacious, and more inviting. Stone facades will be used to provide a friendlier and more natural atmosphere. Glass panels willbe lowered for easier interaction with staff and new LCD monitors will provide a new multi-media platform for customer service representatives to provide information on MTR routing, ticketing, promotions, and more. When passengers proceed to the platform they will notice new ergonomically-designed seats and resting ledges for use while waiting for the next arriving train. When combined with artwork on display at stations, the new, stylised seats are intended to create a sophisticated environment resembling that of an art gallery. MTR will seek feedback from passengers on the new design at Jordan Station.

CENTRAL MARKET REVITALISATION

Hong Kong's Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen confirmed in his October 2009 policy address that the historic Central Market which closed in 2003 is to be preserved and will become an "Green Oasis" in Central.

Central Market before commencement of the preservation project

The market was constructed in 1938 in Streamline Moderne style as the Canton Bazaar and its design was based on London County Council by-laws of 1915. It replaced previous markets dating back to 1858 and 1895 and at one time was largest meat market in Southeast Asia. The market which is located between Queens Road Central and Des Voeux Road Central is a 15,000 square metre four-storey concrete building and incorporates a walkway corridor leading to the Central - Mid-Levels Escalators. HK$500 million will be invested by the Urban Renewal Authority in the refurbishment with around half the space being occupied by shops and a courtyard, restaurants and rooftop garden will be included in the redevelopment.

The building was repainted externally in early 2010 reflecting the theme of the plans to create a "Green Oasis"

An advisory committee comprising district councillors, professionals and conservationists has been formed to initiate a public consultation on operation and uses for the market and the government's Secretary for Development has already indicated that each floor of the market will have a different theme with possible uses being a 24-hour bookshop and arts square on the ground floor, restaurants on the second floor and a gym on the third floor. The first public consulatation was carried out in early 2010, involving some 6,000 people including tourists, and the overwhelming view was expressed that there is no desire amongst the public for the market to be turned into another high-end shopping mall. The government has already made a pledge that the revitalisation will result in a "market for the people" and will avoid expensive restaurants and boutiques that have featured in other urban renewal projects and instead will provide affordable dining facilities, open space for general and public workers in Central and quality community facilities. Plans for the building were lost in the second world war and preliminary results from a structural survey indicate that work will be necessary to bring the building up to current standards. An advisory committee, Central Oasis Advisory Committee, has been formed and met for the first time in December 2009 under the chairmanship of David Lung Ping-yee, a retired professor of architecture. The arcade in the walkway adjacent to the market leading to the Central-Mid-Levels escalator link has already been transformed into green space with plants and seating but the whole project is expected to take until 2015 to complete.

The arcade walkway linking the market with Central - Mid-Levels escalator link has already been transformed into a pleasant "green space" with seating

HONG KONG – SHENZHEN WESTERN EXPRESS LINE (Airports Rail Link)

A 50km cross-border link between Hong Kong and Shenzhen airports is being planned. The length of the Hong Kong section of the line would be about 25km and would include a 7km cross-harbour tunnel between the airport and Tuen Mun and a 9km spur line to Yuen Long. Journey time between the airports would be 20 minutes. The estimated cost of the project according to a government commissioned study could exceed HK$50 billion with most of the Hong Kong section having to be built underground. The study estimates about 7,000 passengers a day travelling between the two airports would use the link in 2020, the earliest possible date for completion. It is expected that cross-border passengers from other parts of the Pearl River Delta would also use the service. The express rail link was one of ten infrastructure projects Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen pledged in his 2007 policy address would be initiated and was also named by Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao in March 2009 as one of three cross-border infrastructure projects which would be expedited by the central government. However the project is believed to be considered of lower priority than the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (see below). Shenzhen airport currently operates only domestic flights but is planning to operate international flights in the future subject to approval by the Civil Aviation Administration of China. The line would link to the Guangzhou-Dongguan-Shenzhen rail link currently under construction and which is expected to be completed in 2011.

LEE TUNG STREET (WEDDING CARD STREET) PROJECT

Hopewell Holdings, in a consortium with Sino Land has won an Urban Renewal Authority bid to transform an 88,500 square-foot area in Wan Chai into a themed shopping mall and luxury residential accommodation area whilst preserving its cultural heritage as an attraction to locals and tourists. The Lee Tung Street (better known as "Wedding Card Street") / McGregor Street Project will include "Wedding City" themed shops and a wedding traditions and culture gallery in three conserved historic buildings. Preliminary work for the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2009 with the development being completed in 2014/2015. The total cost of the project is expected to be about HK$8 billion. Hopewell Holdings already has a large portfolio of properties in Wan Chai including Hopewell Centre and the Hopewell Centre II project (see below).  

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SHEK KIP MEI PEOPLE'S MUSEUM AND HOSTEL

Shek Kip Mei Housing Estate in Sham Shui Po was Hong Kong's first public housing estate. Twenty-six "H"-shape seven-storey blocks were built from 1954 onwards to accommodate mainland migrants displaced when a fire in 1953 destroyed some 7000 squatter huts in a hillside ghetto in Sham Shui Po. Over 53,000 people were left homeless and without shelter and the government constructed Shek Kip Mei Estate as a resettlement estate. Conditions in the flats were however grim with each person allocated only 2.5 sq metres living space, up to 18 people living in a single cramped flat, communal washrooms and families dining on the walkways. Subsequently flats were sub-divided with wooden partitioning to accommodate two families. The blocks are in the course of being demolished and four flats in block 17 were turned into a temporary museum before that block was demolished. However one block Mei Ho House is being preserved as a Grade 1 listed building and in a HK$202.3 milllion project will become a youth hostel for tourists seeking budget accommodation and a permanent museum to commemorate the estate, its people and the way they lived. The hostel will be managed by Hong Kong Youth Hostels Association and will have 129 dormitory beds, kitchen for cooking, cafeteria and convenience store. The museum which will be located on the ground and first floors will detail the history of public housing in Hong Kong and will include an exhibition area showing how the Shek Kip Mei Estate looked in the 1950's. The museum and hostel will open in 2012.

Mei Ho House, Shek Kip Mei Estate is being preserved as a Grade 1 listed building and will open as People's Museum and youth hostel in 2012.

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MTR SOUTH ISLAND LINE (EAST)

Approval for preliminary planning and design of the proposed MTR South Island Line (East) was granted in December 2007 and public consulatations were held in March and September 2008. Detailed design commenced in July 2009 and construction is expected to commence in 2011 with completion in 2015. The 7km line will run from Admiralty Station to Ap Lei Chau via a tunnel to Nam Fung Road in Aberdeen then by viaduct to Ocean Park and Wong Chuk Hang before crossing the Aberdeen Channel to Lei Tung Estate on Ap Lei Chau. The line will be a "medium-capacity" system capable of carrying up to 20,000 passengers per hour in each direction and will serve both residents of the south side of Hong Kong Island and tourists travelling from existing and future attractions. It is also hoped that the new line will help relieve congestion at the Aberdeen Tunnel by encouraging passengers to transfer from road to rail. Admiralty Station will be  an interchange station with the Tsuen Wan Line for cross-harbour destinations and there will be four other stations on the line at Ocean Park, Wong Chuk Hang, Lei Tung Estate (Ap Lei Chau) and South Horizons (Ap Lei Chau). Trains will operate at about 2-minute frequency and journey times will take 9 minutes from South Horizons to Admiralty, 4 minutes from Ocean Park to Admiralty and 10 minutes from Ocean Park to Tsim Sha Tsui (with interchange at Admiralty). Construction is expected to generate about 1,500,000 cubic metres of excavated materials it is proposed to establish two barging points for handling excavated waste at Lee Nam Road, Ap Lei Chau and Telegraph Bay. The cost of constructing the line is expected to be in the order of HK$15 billion of which government funding will be provided for about half. Provision has been made in the plans for the South Island (East) to interchange with the future South Island (West) at Wong Chuk Hang but South Island (West) which would link up with the West Island Line at Hong Kong University is not a confirmed project at this stage.

MTR KWUN TONG LINE EXTENSION

Plans have been put forward by MTR Corporation (MTRCL) for a 2.6km extension of the existing MTR Kwun Tong Line from Yau Ma Tei Station to a new station at Whampoa with an intermediate new station at Ho Man Tin. Passengers will be able to interchange at Ho Man Tin for the future Sha Tin to Central Link (see below). Public consultation in collaboration with Kowloon City District Council has been conducted in two rounds in 2008 and 2009 and roving exhibitions and public forums have been held to collect views and suggestions from the local community. The extension is expected to reduce road traffic in the Ho Man Tin and Whampoa areas and will allow passengers to reach Mong Kok from Whampoa and Ho Man Tin within five minutes compared to 25 minutes by road-based transport. The plan was gazetted under the Railways Ordinance (Cap 519) in November 2009 and following public consulations a number of amendments to the original plan were gazetted in June 2010. It is anticpated that MTRCL will begin construction work in 2011 with completion in 2015.   

MTR WEST ISLAND LINE

On May 26th 2009 the Executive Council of the Hong Kong SAR Government gave approval for a government grant of HK$12.7 billion towards the estimated cost of HK$15.4 billion for construction of the MTR West Island Line with the balance to be met by MTR Corporation. The new line will be a 3km extension of the existing Island Line from its current western terminus at Sheung Wan to Kennedy Town with intermediate stations at Sai Ying Pun and The University of Hong Kong and will enable passengers to travel between Sheung Wan and Kennedy Town in eight minutes. The budget includes provision of lifts to street level at all stations, repositioning of some buildings along the route and preservation works to facades of some buildings and heritage features along the route. Construction will commence in August 2009 and it is anticipated that the line will open in 2014.

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CENTRAL - WAN CHAI SIX-LANE BYPASS

After having been first proposed in 1999 it was announced by the Hong Kong Government in May 2009 that construction of the Central to Wan Chai bypass road will commence before the end of the year. The HK$28 billion project will provide for a 4.5km six-lane road from Rumsey Street flyover near Two IFC Tower via Admiralty, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the former Wan Chai Public Cargo Working Area, the portal of the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter and linking up with the Island Eastern Corridor via a viaduct. Much of the road will be contained in a tunnel from near Two IFC Tower to Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter. The existing Wan Chai Ferry Pier will be demolished and replaced with a new pier in landscaped surroundings and incorporating public observation deck and helipad. The project has been controversial as it involves reclamation of about 12.7 hectares of Victoria Harbour and temporary reclamation of Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter and has been subject of legal action by the Society for Protection of the Harbour which resulted in the scale of the reclamation being reduced. The aim of the bypass is to relieve serious traffic congestion along Connaught Road Central, Harcourt Road Gloucester Road. Much of the land along the watefront is to be developed into a public promenade. The first section Construction commenced on 29th January 2010 and is expected to be completed in 2017. A series of roving exhibitions to display the various design options for the three ventilation buildings, vent shaft and administrative building is being held at various locations on Hong Kong Island between 29th July 2010 and 3rd September 2010.

The first section of new road network serving the new bypass, Lung Wo Road opened on 23rd February 2010. Lung Wo Road will eventually extend from Man Cheung Street near Two IFC and Hong Kong Station in Central to Hung Hing Road near Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre and the section which has opened runs from Man Cheung Street past City Hall and Central Barracks to Tim Wa Avenue.

A 0.93-hectare site, which lies between City Hall, Central Barracks and the Lung Wo Road is planned by the Harbourfront Commission for public space with alfresco dining, green courtyards and three blocks not exceeding 20-metres high. Tenders for its development are expected to be invited by the end of 2011.

Lung Wo Road forms part of the new network of roads serving the future Central - Wan Chai Bypass

TAI O REVITALISATION SCHEME AND TAI O HERITAGE HOTEL

Although a popular tourist destination famous for its stilt houses and shanties, Tai O on the north-west Lantau coast has been in decline in recent years. The village still has a fishing fleet but its traditional salt-making industry has long since died out. Many of the village's young have moved out and over half its population is aged over 55. However under a government revitalisation plan which included an open design competition details of the proposals were announced in June 2009. The revitalisation scheme will see the establishment of a nature trail with mangroves, wetland and woodland areas which visitors will be able to explore by hand-pulled ferries and a heritage trail around the village. The hand-pulled ferries were a familiar site in the village before construction of two river bridges in 1996. The proposals also include a folk museum to be housed in rebuilt stilt houses, a salt-pan demonstration area, youth hostel and campsite. During 2008 plans had already been announced for reclamation of 3000sq metres of salt pans and restoration of the local art of salt making. Although some of the projects are still at the planning stage it is expected that work will commence during late 2009 on some infrastructure projects including an entrance plaza at the existing bus terminal with new paving and trees and a new jetty.

Also in Tai O, Hong Kong Heritage Conservation Foundation, a non-profit subsidiary of Sino Group is to transform the historic Tai O Police Station into a nine-bedroom boutique hotel, the Tai O Heritage Hotel. The project to transform the police station, which dates back to 1902, is being carried out under the government's "Revitalizing Historic Buildings Through Partnership" scheme and is expected cost about HK$67 million. A ground-breaking ceremony was held on 17th June 2010 and the project is expected to be completed in 2013. Each of the rooms priced between HK$1500 and HK$2000 a night and of 200 sq ft to 400 sq ft will have a fireplace and wooden windows and floorboards. Parts of the building will be open to the public including the reception area, which will house an exhibition of historic photos and documents about Tai O, and the rooftop restaurant. The two jail cells will be turned into a business centre with internet access. It is anticipated that there will be a range of activities arranged in conjunction with local organisations including free guided tours three or four times a day for members of the public wishing to view the internal architecture and the public will also have access to the front yard where there will be demonstrations on how to make shrimp paste, salted eggs and glutinous rice cakes. The tours will be led by trained local residents. The hotel will also work to promote other local activities such as Chinese white dolphin tours, Tai O food expos and night fishing tours. The two watch towers of the police station which is situated on a hillside near the harbour entrance will be closed off as the access ladders are considered unsafe.It is anticipated that the transformed building will attract about 60,000 visitors a year.

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NEW CRUISE TERMINAL "CITY" TO BE BUILT AT KAI TAK

Part of the abandoned Kai Tak Airport as it looks today

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SHA TIN - CENTRAL RAIL LINK

Construction of a 17k rail link from Sha Tin to Central is expected to commence in late 2011/early 2012 with completion not expected until after 2019. The MTR extension will provide a direct route between Ma On Shan and Sha Tin to Admiralty and Central and will also provide a link between East Kowloon and the Western New Territories via West Rail. There will be a major interchange station at Tai Wai where the Ma On Shan line currently branches from East Rail and the line will include stations at To Kwa Wan, Ma Tau Wai, Ho Man Tin, Kai Tak, Whampoa, Hung Hom and Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The HK$37.4 billion project was originally expected to have commenced in 2010 but in March 2010 it was announced that there would be a delay of one year in announcing the final plans as issues including route alignment and whether the Diamond Hill depot should be above or below ground level have still to be resolved. The Sha Tin to Hung Hom section is expected to be completed in 2016 but the cross-harbour Hung Hom to Central section is unlikely to be completed until 2020 or later. Construction work includes a temporary reclamation area of about 0.7 hectares at Causeway Bay Typhoon Shelter.

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BRUCE LEE MUSEUM

The Hong Kong Government has agreed in principle in early January 2009 to support the restoration and preservation of Bruce Lee's former home at 41 Cumberland Road, Kowloon Tong and to help turn it into a museum and tourist attraction to commemorate the martial arts legend. Chinese philanthropist Yu Panglin, owner of the HK$100 million property has offered to donate the home for it to be turned into a museum, library, martial arts centre and cinema occupying about 30,000 sq ft and is willing to share the construction costs. However, details of the project have not yet been agreed and there are fears that if the government is only prepared to help restore the 5,000 sq ft property in its original form it may not have sufficient appeal to fans. The property was home to the legend in his final years before his death in 1973. Bruce Lee's daughter Shannon Lee visited the home for the first time in 35 years in October 2008 and met with government officials to confirm her support for the plans which include proposals for the project to be managed by the Bruce Lee Foundation, a charity in the United States, which is itself proposing to build a museum in Washington state. Ms Lee is also helping the government research the history of the home and in February 2009 confirmed her willingness to visit Hong Kong from her home in America to assist if necessary. In March 2009 Secretary of Commerce and Economic Development Rita Lau Wai-Ian indicated that extra basement floors and a glass roof were options being considered to expand the floor space and parking spaces for tout buses may be provided underground. The Bruce Lee Club is forming a committee to monitor the restoration's progress and is hoping for public figures including lawmakers and representatives from the tourism and film making professions to sit on it.

In July 2009 the government announced an "Ideas Competition for Bruce Lee's Residence" jointly organised by The Hong Kong Institute of Architects, The Hong Kong Institute of Planners and The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors with support from the Tourism Commission and with HK$100,000 in prizes for winning entries. A dedicated website was set up http://www.bruceleeresidence.com/ and the competition, which closed in mid-October 2009, attracted over 140 valid submissions of which about 63% were from Hong Kong and the remainder from overseas. A seven-member adjudication panel including representatives of the property owner, Lee's family, the three professional institutes, Kowloon City District Council and Hong Kong Tourism Board considered the submissions and entries were judged on the basis of creativity, feasibility, practicability and ease of construction and harmonisation with the surrounding neighbourhood. During her visit to Hong Kong in November 2009 Shannon Lee again met The Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development again to exchange views on the restoration. The winning entries were announced in January 2010 with first prize in the Professional Group being awarded to local team Jimmy Yuen Gi-tsun and Cheung Kwai-yin and their entry can be viewed here;

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First prize in the Open Group was awarded to another local pairing Lau Chun Yiu Agnus and Ng Ka Kin Gary and details of the entry can be viewed here;

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A territory-wide roving exhibition is being held to allow the public to view the competition entries at City Hall from 23rd January until 4th February, Hong Kong Cultural Centre from 9th to 16th February and Sha Tin Town Hall from 23rd February to 6th March.

Two films depicting the life of Bruce Lee and the restoration of Bruce Lee's residence are also being produced by RTHK for showing in the museum.

Part of Bruce Lee's former residence at 41 Cumberland Road, Kowloon Tong

CENTRAL POLICE STATION CONSERVATION PROJECT

Rocco Design Architects have been appointed in March 2009 by Hong Kong Jockey Club to oversee the conservation and revitalisation of Central Police Station on Hollywood Road. The four-storey colonial police station dating back to 1864 with its distinctive Doric columns and grey/blue colour scheme was used as Hong Kong Island Regional Police Headquarters and Central District Police Headquarters until 2004. The project which includes the stable blocks and adjacent Victoria Prison aims to transform the police station into a heritage, arts, cultural and tourist hub with the Jockey Club funding the HK$1.8 billion capital cost through the Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust. The project has so far been controversial and plans to construct a 160-metre tower on the site were abandoned in 2008 following public opposition. A height limit of 77-metres was proposed by a group of non-governmental organistations including heritage concern groups and green groups but was rejected by the Town Planning Board in November 2009. Following a six-month public consulation the The Jockey Club has promised to reduce the bulk and height of the design and indicated it is considering reducing the space originally planned for shops and restaurants from 70% to 50% whilst increasing the space used for cultural purposes. A new design is expected to be unveiled before the end of 2009.

The disused Central Police Station on Hollywood Road

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FORMER POLICE MARRIED QUARTERS HOLLYWOOD ROAD

During March 2010 the Hong Kong Development Bureau and Commerce and Economic Development Bureau jointly invited proposals from interested organisations and enterprises for transforming the Former Police Married Quarters (PMQ) on Hollywood Road into a creative industries landmark. The PMQ project is one of the eight projects under the "Conserving Central" initiative announced by the Hong Kong SAR Chief Executive, Donald Tsang, in his 2009-10 Policy Address. 

A new partnership model is being adopted for the implementation of the project, whereby the Government will finance the essential structural and building services works under the Public Works Programme. The proposed government works to be carried out by the Architectural Services Department and costing about HK$300 million will include:

(a) upgrading two quarters blocks to meet functional requirements and modern-day building requirements;
(b) preserving historical relics of the original Central School;
(c) constructing a canopy in glass steel frame and a sky bridge between the quarters blocks;
(d) constructing a new multi-purpose room-cum-exhibition area and new galleries; and
(e) developing about 1,200 square metres of landscaped open space.

The former Police Married Quarters on Hollywood Road was originally The Government Central School

The successful partner will be responsible for the capital costs for renovation beyond the Government works, if any, and interior decoration specifically for the intended uses, as well as the envisioning and operation of the creative industries landmark. The Government will charge nominal rent for the site in order to encourage a wide variety of activities, such as dedicated space for start-up creative industries establishments at concessionary rent, an exhibition area for display of historical relics of the former Central School, landscaped open space, etc., which will meet the three project objectives but may not be profitable. About one-fifth of the 15000 sq metre floor area will be for shops and restaurants. Exhibition space and galleries for the display and sale of creative products is expected to help attract patronage to the site after revitalisation. The revitalised site may also comprise studios for artists and designers from different creative sectors.

Applicants have until 18th June 2010 to submit proposals and by the mid-April over 40 organisations had expressed an interest in operating the site including The Hong Kong Heritage Foundation, the developer involved in the restoration of the old Tai O Police Station on Lantau Island into a boutique hotel (see above).

The site was originally the location of The Government Central School which was established in 1862 and the first government school to provide upper primary and secondary Western education to the public. The school was renamed Victoria College in 1889 and became Queen's College in 1894. The college is now located at Causeway Bay. Commissioned on the same site in 1951, the PMQ was the first police quarters to provide accommodation for married junior police officers, including Chinese police officers.

“MEGA TOWER” (HOPEWELL CENTRE II)

Plans for a 93-storey “Mega Tower” plan, now renamed “Hopewell Centre II” proposed for Wan Chai have been scaled down and new proposals announced during November 2008 are for a 55-storey development with 1024 room hotel. Plans for the project were originally approved as long ago as 1994 for the huge hotel development on Kennedy Road and have proved controversial particularly amongst environmentalists who have proposed a green belt in order to force a reduction in the size of the project. Opponents of the scheme also have concerns about traffic congestion, air flow, obstruction of views from Mid-Levels and the impact on historic buildings such as Hung Shing Temple and Nam Koo Terrace. Government land makes up around 40% of the site with the remainder of the land belonging to the developers Hopewell Holdings. The HK$400 million project would include creating two additional lanes on Queen’s Road East and widening the footpaths on Kennedy Road. An additional HK$80 million would be spent on creating a public park. The development will be connected to Kennedy Road by pedestrian walkway and tunnel with 24-hour public access. During September 2008 Hopewell Holdings had put forward revised proposals which would reduce the height of the building by only about 5 floors and in late October the traffic impact assessment submitted by the developers was rejected by the Transport Department and as at May 2010 final plans were still pending.

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WEST KOWLOON CULTURAL DISTRICT

A one-off payment of HK$21.6 billion was approved by the Hong Kong SAR Government in July 2008 to fund development of the West Kowloon Cultural District which was first proposed in 1998 and will provide a world-class arts hub which it is hoped will attract visitors and audiences from throughout Southeast Asia and beyond. The hub will be built on a 40-hectare site in the area around Kowloon Station. Construction is expected to begin in 2011 at the earliest and the first phase which is expected to open in 2014/2015 will provide no less than 12 new venues with a combined total of 24,400 seats. It is proposed that the development will include three iconic buildings Xiqu (Chinese Opera Centre), M+ (flagship museum) and the Concert Hall/Chamber Music Hall.  Other venues include two medium-size theatres, four blackbox theatres and piazza area. There will also The “M+” museum which will focus on design, moving image, popular culture and visual arts and the hub will also include retail, dining and entertainment facilities. The Planning Department proposed dividing the site into three zones with different height limits with the western zone being set at 50 metres, the central zone in front of Kowloon Station set at 100 metres and the eastern zone set at 70 metres. However this has led to objections that this will restrict the flexibility of the design of buildings and the height restrictions have since been partially relaxed although the final design has not yet been decided. A competition was announced in 2006 with British architect Norman Foster, Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and local architect Rocco Yim Sen-kee in the race for the masterplan design. Part of the brief is that at least 23 of the 42 acres of the arts hub area must be open space. Norman Foster has brought together 25 advisers from Hong Kong and overseas to ensure the design reflects the expectations of the people of Hong Kong during a visit to the city in March 2010 promised that the the final design for the hub will have an open space "better than Central Park" in New York. Meanwhile Rem Koolhaas has indicted his design will integrate the arts hub with the Pearl River Delta. Yim is the architect for the new government headquarters at the Tamar site. The three rival conceptual master plans will go on display in a roving exhibition starting at Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre in August 2010 and the public will be offered questionnaires to allow people to indicate their views on the plans but will not be asked to choose one out of the three plans. Public opinion will also be collected via the West Kowloon Cultural District website which will publicise the plans. Design competitions were previously held in 2001 and 2003 and Norman Foster's original 2001 design which included a huge canopy was eventually abandoned after failing to gain public support. By the time the first phase opens it is expected that accessibility to the area will have been improved and by 2016 an estimated daily average of 99,000 passengers will be arriving at and leaving West Kowloon via the Regional Express Rail Link (Guangdong - Shenzhen - Hong Kong) serving the Pearl River Delta. The seafront terminus for the new rail link will occupy about 8 hectares of the site and proposed amendments to the plan put forward in May 2009 will see the density of the terminus development reduced with the four office towers substantially reduced in height and minimal retail space. In June 2009 Angus Cheng Siu-chuen, a former Disney executive was appointed as Executive Director (Project Delivery) but resigned after just nine days for "personal reasons" leaving the authority to search for a new Executive Director.  A public consultation to shape the future of the cultural district was announced during September 2009. The consultation's theme is "Stretch your imagination. Share your dream. Create a successful West Kowloon Cultural District for all". Stage 1 of the consulation ran from 8th October 2009 until 7th January 2010 and suggestions put forward included free admission to museums and an emphasis on a design which reflects oriental characteristics to illustrate Hong Kong's "Pearl of the East" slogan with traditional Chinese art forms. In March 2010 the intensive global search resulted in the appointment of Mr Graham Sheffield, effective from August, who has 15 years experience as Artistic Director of the world-renowned Barbican Centre in London and the following month the first three executive directors, all with a business rather than arts background, were appointed. During a visit in May 2010, coinciding with Hong Kong Art Week and the second stage of public consultation, Mr Sheffield promised that education would play a key role under his leadership and he hoped to see the establishment of an education department and possibly the addition of an education director to draw up strategies, including forming alliances with existing institutes. He said he was also open to any form of collaboration with overseas institutes. In June 2010 it was announced that Lars Nittve, founding director of London's Tate Modern, has been appointed to head M+, the contemporary art museum, as well as the exhibition centre. Mr Nittve, currently director of the Moderna Museet in Stockholm will take up his appointment in January 2011.

Chairman of Board of West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (WKCDA), Mr Henry Tang announces the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the WKCDA on 24th March 2010. Picture shows Mr Tang greeting the newly appointed CEO Mr Graham Sheffield

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GUANGZHOU-SHENZHEN-HONG KONG EXPRESS RAIL LINK

The Hong Kong Government agreed in April 2008 that MTRCL (Mass Transit Rail Corporation Limited) proceed with planning for the Hong Kong section of the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL). The Hong Kong section of the 142km railway will be a 26km underground line from the terminus at West Kowloon to the boundary at Huanggang where it will connect with the mainland section of XRL. Construction work on the mainland section is expected to commence in mid-2010 with the project being scheduled for completion in August 2015. Maximum speed on the Hong Kong section will be 200km per hour with the journey time from Hong Kong to Shenzhen being cut to just 14 minutes. The journey to Guangzhou will take 48 minutes, twice as fast as the current inter-city route between Hong Kong and Guangzhou. The Guangzhou terminus will be located at Shibi, Panyu some 23km south-east of the city centre which will provide convenient links to the Chinese National High Speed Rail Network. However travellers wishing to get to Guangzhou's city centre will need to transfer to Guangzhou Metro and travel 18 stops meaning there will be little saving in time compared to the existing route which terminates at Guangzhou East. Travelling time from Hong Kong to Beijing will be reduced to about 10 hours and to Shanghai about 8 hours. The Hong Kong terminus at West Kowloon will partly extend into the underground area of the proposed West Kowloon Cultural District to provide convenient access (see above). The cost of the XRL project was originally quoted as HK$39.5 billion in 2007 but the final estimate approved by the Executive Council in October 2009 amounted to HK$62.5 billion comprising HK$53.7 billion for the railway and HK$11.5 billion for the cost of building the associated road network around West Kowloon. The cost of the Hong Kong section of the railway will be the most expensive per kilometre of any railway in the world mainly as a result of most of the section being built underground. A recent MTR study has projected that five years after trains start operating in 2016 80% of trains will run only between Hong Kong and Shenzhen, not to Guangzhou. In 2016 it is estimated that 88,000 passengers daily will use the new link to travel to Shenzhen and Guangzhou and a further 11,000 will use the route to make connections to other mainland cities. There will be five daily trains to major cities such as Shanghai and Beijing with each train being manned by a crew of 33. It has been indicated that the fare for the journey from Hong Kong to Guangzhou will be about HK$180 compared to the current fare of HK$190 for the exisiting through-train service although this ends in the city centre whereas the new line will terminate in the suburb of Panyu. Fares for the 14 minute journey from Hong Kong to Shenzhen are expected to be HK$45 to HK$49 compared to the current East Rail fare of HK$31.3 for the 40 minute journey to the border station of Lo Wu.

During October 2009 a counter-proposal for the rail link put forward by a community group was rejected by the Transport and Housing Bureau. The group had suggested that the Hong Kong terminus be located at Kam Sheung Road Station near Yuen Long in the New Territories where passengers could interchange with West Rail and also a link to Tsing Yi would be built to enable passengers to join the Airport Express and Tung Chung lines. The proposal would have meant passengers would have to transfer to domestic services to reach the city centre and the project would be delayed by at least three years for new planning permissions to be obtained and technical difficulties resolved. Construction of a depot near Yuen Long will result in residents in the villages of Tai Kong Po and Tsoi Yuen being displaced and the government has subsequently announced a generous financial compensation package for about 160 affected villagers and landowners in addition to priority for public housing. Displacement of the villagers became an emotive issue leading to delays in agreeing the funding package for the project and voiciferous protests outside LEGCO (Legislative Council) meetings but agreement for HK$66.9 billion project funding and HK$2 billion compensation for affected villagers was finally reached on 16th January 2010 following a fractious 25-hour LEGCO debate. By mid-July 2010 contracts totalling over HK$18 billion had been awarded.

MTR Corporation submitted plans to build three "stepped" office towers of 17,18 and 19 storeys above the West Kowloon terminus, designed to provide a visual transition between the existing tall residential buildings above Kowloon Station and the much lower buildings of Yau Ma Tei and Jordan but the plans were rejected by the Planning Department which has recommended to the Town Planning Board that MTR Corp be required to explore improved designs.

An outstanding issue still to be resolved is the establishment of a joint immigration checkpoint at the Hong Kong terminus of the line. Hong Kong's Basic Law does not allow, apart from a few exceptions, for Chinese national laws to be enforced in Hong Kong making it difficult for mainland immigration officials to be deployed at the station in West Kowloon. The Department of Justice and Constitutional and Mainland Affairs Bureau are currently negotiating with the mainland authorities for a solution.  

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HONG KONG – ZHUHAI –MACAU ROAD BRIDGE

During October 2008 the Governments of Hong Kong SAR, Guangdong and Macau SAR invited financial institutions in these regions to express interest in provision of loan facilities for the Hong Kong – Zhuhai – Macau Bridge (HZMB) project. The 37.45 billion yuan (HK$42.71 billion) project is being funded about 42% by the three governments with the remaining 58% being financed by loans. The bridge which was first proposed some twenty-five years ago will be one of the longest bridge networks in the world and is intended ease movement of people and freight and accelerate development of the Pearl River Delta. The main structure will include two artificial islands, 6.75km tunnel and a bridge 22.85km long with a six-lane highway and vehicle speeds of up to 100km/hr. There will be connecting roads of approximately 12.6km on the Hong Kong side and 13.9km on the mainland side and when completed travel between Hong Kong and the west bank of the delta will take only 15 minutes. On the Hong Kong side the bridge will start from a 130-hectare artificial island east of Hong Kong International Airport.

The Hong Kong - Macau - Zhuhai Road Bridge will start from an artificial island next to Hong Kong International Airport and the island will accommodate the Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities

A generous financing agreement with Bank of China which will charge 10% less than its benchmark rate is expected to allow the toll fee for private cars to be as low as HK$100 and about HK$200 for trucks. Latest projections indicate the bridge will be used by between 12800 and 19600 per day in 2016 and 50000 and 68800 per day in 2035. The preliminary contract for design of the bridge has been awarded to China Highway Planning and Design Institute in partnership with Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong and was signed in March 2009.   Each government will manage its own border checkpoints. In connection with the bridge a new road link from Tuen Mun to Chek Lap Kok is to be constructed to meet anticipated increased traffic demand between the Northwest New Territories and North Lantau. This will include a 5km tunnel and 1.6km elevated highway and will also provide an alternative route to the airport. In September 2009 it was announced that the Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities (HKBCF) Reclamation Works have been scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2010. HKBCF involves creation of an artificial island of about 150 hectares to provide for passenger clearance and cargo processing and includes 19 hectares for the Tuen Mun-Chek Lap Kok Link.

"Waves", first-prize winning entry in the HKBCF International Design Ideas Competition Professional Group (see below). Design by Siming Chen, Xincheng Lin, Liang Wu, Jin Zhou, Yuxin He and Yimin Yang

In November 2009 Fugro Technical Services were appointed to carry out ground investigation for the reclamation works. Environmental approval for the project was granted in October 2009 subject to the Highways Department drawing up a management plan for the future marine park of over 170 hectares to be established near Brothers Islands as a refuge for Chinese White Dolphins (also known as "pink dolphins") which may be affected by the project. However the marine park will not be established until after the bridge is built. A Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities International Design Ideas Competition has been held and has provided creative concepts to serve as reference for the detailed design which is expected to commence in mid-2010. Over 160 entries were received from 20 countries and regions. Winning entries are on exhibition at the Former Central Police Station, Hollywood Road between May 15th and June 6th 2010 from 10am to 6pm and at Tung Chung Station between May 15th and May 28th 2010 from 10am to 6pm.

The Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Transport), Mr Francis Ho (second right), and Director of Highways, Mr Wai Chi-sing (third right) toured round the winning pieces of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing Facilities International Design Ideas Competition with the jurors on 14th May 2010

Construction work commenced on 15th December 2009 on an artificial island outside Zhuhai which will house cross-border facilties on the mainland side and the event was marked with a construction commencement ceremony in Zhuhai . The whole bridge project is expected to be completed in 2016.

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HONG KONG AIRPORT - SHENZHEN AIRPORT EXPRESS RAIL LINK

A feasibility study into a planned high speed rail link between Hong Kong International Airport and Shenzhen Baoan International Airport is being undertaken. The proposed rail link would enable passengers to travel between the two airports in only 17 minutes. The feasibility study will include information on proposed route and cost and although the line was originally intended to be a non-stop link it is believed the government is now considering an intermediate stop in the northwest New Territories at Yuen Long or Tuen Mun which would enable more passengers to take advantage of the link. If approved it is not expected the link will be completed until 2016 at the earliest and the link would connect with the Guangzhou - Dongguang - Shenzhen Inter-City rail link which is already under construction and expected to start operating in 2011.

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UNDERPASSES AND FOOTBRIDGES TO RELIEVE PEDESTRIAN CONGESTION

Plans have been announced in October 2008 for construction of a series of underpasses and bridges to relieve pedestrian-traffic conflict in some of Hong Kong’s most congested areas. In Causeway Bay a network of underpasses will connect Happy Valley Racecourse area to Victoria Park and provide access to shopping malls, entertainment venues and buildings. Also in Causeway Bay an underpass will link the Great George Street MTR exit to Victoria Park. In Monk Kok a footbridge system currently linking MTR Mong Kok East Station to the popular markets areas of Fa Yuen Street and Tung Choi Street is to be extended to central Mong Kok and in Yuen Long a footbridge network will link Castle Peak Road to Yuen Long town centre. A feasibility study will begin in 2009.

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NEW HARBOURSIDE PIAZZA FOR TSIM SHA TSUI

The Hong Kong Government Harbour Enhancement Committee has announced plans for a new HK$275 million multi-purpose piazza on the site of the current Star Ferry Bus Terminus at Tsim Sha Tsui. The piazza will have seating, podium, trees, lawns and greenery and will also provide space for public activities including concerts, art exhibitions and carnivals. Contrary to previous reports the development will not be used for commercial purposes and will not include a five-storey shopping mall. The design of the piazza is being decided by an open design competition which was launched in May 2009 and the design must allow for the in-situ preservation of the existing TST Star Ferry Pier, TST Clock Tower, the five flag poles, and Mr Tseng Cho-choi's graffiti outside Star Ferry Pier. A new bus terminus opened in August 2007 near to Wing On Plaza in Tsim Sha Tsui East. Three services were relocated to the new terminus but the terminus for route 5 was moved back to Star Ferry Pier in February 2010. Other services currently using Star Ferry Bus Terminus will be relocated to the new bus terminus in line with development of the piazza. In order to allow bus and taxi passsengers easy access to the Star Ferry Pier work has already commenced on a new bus turnaround a short distance away outside the Cultural Centre on Salisbury Road with eight bus stops and taxi stand to allow boarding and alighting of passengers. Work on the bus turnaround is expected to be completed in 2010. However the proposal to demolish the bus terminus has met with public opposition and a campaign group Our Bus Terminal has been gathering support for preserving the terminus as an important transport hub. The group is linking up with Green Sense, another group of activists and is lobbying lawmakers and political parties. and a  Facebook group has attracted over 8000 members.

Soon to be gone? - Star Ferry Bus Terminus at Tsim Sha Tsui is planned to be replaced by a piazza

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NEW TERRITORIES CYCLE ROUTES TO BE LINKED

On June 6th 2008 plans were announced by the government to link up the existing New Territories cycle tracks in Tuen Mun, Tin Shui Wai, Yuen Long, Sheung Shui/Fanling, Tai Po and Shatin. The link will be achieved by constructing approximately 21 kilometres of tracks along Kam Tin River, Ngau Tam Mei Drainage Channel, Castle Peak Road, Mai Po San Tsuen, San Tin Tsuen Road, Sheung Yue River, Shek Sheung River, Fanling Highway and Tai Po Road. Some existing cycle tracks will be widened and extended. When completed cycle tracks will provide a 100km link from Tuen Mun in the North-West New Territories to Sai Kung the North-East New Territories. The work is expected to commence in late 2009 with completion by mid-2012. During May 2009 tenders were invited for construction of cycle tracks from Sheung Shui to Ma on Shan with the work scheduled to commence in September with completion in 30 months.