Harbourfront Commission Maps Strategy to Link Kowloon Waterfront
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago3 MIN
Summary
Following the completion of the 13-kilometre Hong Kong Island waterfront promenade last year, authorities are now focusing on linking the Kowloon waterfront corridor. The Harbourfront Commission has identified three major "fracture points" along the To Kwa Wan waterfront and is formulating upper, middle, and lower-tier strategies to address them .
Key Points
- The three fracture points are the Hoi Sham Park natural rock shore, the Green Island Cement wharf site with private land rights, and the Grand Waterfront's waterfront gas facilities .
- Harbourfront Commission chairman Ho Man-yiu revealed that Towngas has responded positively to relocating its facilities near Grand Waterfront, though safety risks along the waterfront corridor must be carefully assessed .
- For the Green Island Cement wharf, the "upper strategy" involves coordinating with the factory building's owners during redevelopment; the "middle strategy" proposes a retractable bridge similar to North Point's East Coast Boardwalk; and the "lower strategy" would route inland around the building, sacrificing sea views .
- The Hoi Sham Park "Fish Tail Rock" is Hong Kong's only remaining natural rock shore in Victoria Harbour, and the commission recommends building accessible pathways rather than constructing over the rock formation .
- The West Kowloon Cultural District to Tai Kok Tsui section remains blocked by the Yau Ma Tei public cargo working area, though a 1-kilometre pedestrian path around its perimeter is expected to complete this year, with some sections only 1.2 metres wide .
- The connection from Tsim Sha Tsui to the new Hung Hom waterfront landmark requires a 10-minute walk via an elevated footbridge; a proposed staircase could reduce this by eight minutes, with new signage and an entrance near Harbourfront Horizon expected to open this year .
- The Kowloon waterfront promenade will reach 15 kilometres with the March opening of Hung Hom waterfront, the new Kai Tak hospital promenade, and the West Kowloon to Tai Kok Tsui link, expanding to 16 kilometres by 2028 .
Why It Matters
Completing the Kowloon waterfront corridor would transform pedestrian access between Jordan and the West Kowloon Cultural District, a major tourist destination currently requiring an inconvenient inland detour. The commission's tiered approach to the three fracture points demonstrates how Hong Kong balances urban development against preservation of natural heritage and private property rights .
Completing the Kowloon waterfront corridor would transform pedestrian access between Jordan and the West Kowloon Cultural District, a major tourist destination currently requiring an inconvenient inland detour. The commission's tiered approach to the three fracture points demonstrates how Hong Kong balances urban development against preservation of natural heritage and private property rights .