Plea for new city centre to reflect status of SAR
Authors
Citation
PACE Interior Architecture, v.110, 1998, pp. 56-62
Abstract
Hong Kong has entered a new era with the establishment of the Special Administrative Region (SAR) and this calls for a new urban imagery to epitomize the vitality of the city in the 21st Century. All over the world, countries have either built landmarks, or entire new cities, to symbolize major historical change: Washington in USA, Brasilia in Brazil, and New Delhi in India.
At the turn of the century, many of our neighbours are considering proposals for new capitals of citybuilding. One of the bolder plans is the creation of a new federal capital called Putrajaya by Malaysia. Tokyo, Bangkok, Singapore and Shanghai have similar schemes.
The return of Hong Kong to China is an important historical event which would be best commemorated by a symbolic architecture in the middle of the city. The New City Centre could also be used to house the Monument for 1997.
(1) Harness futuristic technologies to maintain leading edge
(a) District HVAC system
(b) A real vertical/horizontal passenger transport system
(c) Subterranean common service tunnel (CST)
(d) Underground city
(e) Integration of district and regional transportation systems
(2) Reclamation right site for New City Centre
(3) Inadequacies of original Central/Wanchai reclamation plan
(4) Principles for planning alternative New City Centre
(a) Minimize alterations to original proposal to increase feasibility
(b) Maintain originally planned commercial Gross Floor Areas
(c) Strengthen passenger flow between ARL and MTR
(d) Protect harbour views without disturbing ongoing works
(5) Distinctiveness of New City Centre Plan
(a) Utilize reclaimed flat land to create a Central Square
(b) Use of an underground plaza to connect the ARL and MTR
(c) Engineering feasibility
(d) Site all Govt bodies in same area to enhance efficiency and prestige
(e) Other facilities
(f) Provide land for new infrastructure while preserving harbour views
Description
Subject
Type
Article
Format
Date
1998
Language
en