A Sustainable Masterplan

The redevelopment of Kai Tak presents an opportunity to improve urban planning around the Harbour, embracing the principles of accessibility and sustainability that will green and connect major public open spaces for greater public enjoyment and maximise social and environmental benefits for Hong Kong. According to this plan, Kai Tak could become a major tourism node with extensive leisure and recreation facilities set in the context of a unique waterfront community. However, the inclusion of development components of other nature as outlined in the Government's Public Consultation Digest, such as a cruise terminal, helipad, stadium and refuse transfer station, should be subject to critical debate as part of the overall planning review and be fully justified in light of the community's aspirations and needs.

By the same token, transport infrastructure such as the proposed T2 expressway should be treated as an integral part of plan process making so as to minimise its adverse social, environmental and economic impact. This will require a fundamental change to the traditional approach of evaluation on a lowest cost basis. The proposed Kai Tak archipelago is a spectacular design that realises these goals. The archipelago design will:

- bring the Harbour to the people;

- enhance the accessibility of the waterfront by increasing the area available for public recreation;

- create more green open spaces and viewing corridors, extending into Kowloon, as well as along the waterfront towards Tsim Sha Tsui and Lei Yue Mun; and

- connect public open space along the waterfront with the cultural hubs of Hong Kong and help to revitalise its surrounding areas