Study on Planning for Pedestrians

(ACE Paper 11/2000)
For discussion

PURPOSE

This paper is to consult Members on the scope of the captioned Study and the stages of consultation prior to finalisation of the draft study brief and invitation of expression of interests from Consultants to undertake the Study.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

2.The overall study objective is to explore the potential and recommend proposals for more co-ordinated and comprehensive planning for pedestrians with a view to devising pedestrian schemes and Action Area Plans for high pedestrian activity areas having regard to the constraints and opportunities, land use, transport, environmental, socio-economic and urban design considerations and implementation issues to achieve the following sub-objectives :

1. reinforcement of pedestrian linkages between major pedestrian activity nodes;
2. integration with the land use, transport, tourism, heritage and environmental management plans for enhanced and more efficient use of pedestrian activity space and circulation;
3. creation of a clean, safe, convenient, comfortable, environmental friendly and pleasant environment for pedestrians not only to facilitate their movements but to capture their stay as a place of enjoyment other than for environmental improvement; and
4. introducing or increasing the social, economic and cultural vibrancy and vitality for the pedestrian areas and adjoining areas.

THE STUDY TASKS

3.To achieve the objectives, the Study will cover the following tasks :

1. study the international experience on pedestrian planning and assess its application in the Hong Kong context with respect to the current institutional mechanism, issues, constraints and opportunities;
2. synthesize all existing and proposed major pedestrian schemes and related studies/projects on pedestrian planning in the Study Area to provide an overview of the pedestrian planning framework at the sub-regional, district and local levels, so as to identify any major gaps and deficiencies and define the focussed area for attention in this Study;
3. recommend general planning and urban design principles and guidelines at different hierarchical levels (sub-regional, district and local) for pedestrian planning in Hong Kong, including the proposed revision of the relevant sections in the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines;
4. within the focussed Study Area, identify pedestrian generators and attractors for major activity nodes (such as main shopping areas, major business areas, major G/IC facilities, e.g. school cluster and sports stadium, transport interchanges, MTR/KCRC stations, piers, etc.) and assess the adequacy or inadequacy of pedestrian linkages between these activity nodes;
5. on the basis of agreed criteria, identify and prioritize pedestrian activity areas and prepare Action Area Plans for 5 of the selected priority areas;
6. within each of the 5 Priority Action Areas, recommend the best means and forms of pedestrian linkages and draw up pedestrian schemes and Action Area proposals including management measures to achieve the objectives in para. 2;
7. assess the impacts of the recommended pedestrian schemes and Action Area proposals on land use planning, tourism, heritage, transport and traffic, environment, land management and maintenance, urban design, social and economic aspects;
8. recommend the means to enhance the pedestrian schemes and pedestrian activity areas through consideration of urban and architectural design, creation of landmark, provision of street architecture and furniture, special signage, extension of street level shop uses on pavements, landscaping, conservation of heritage and promotion of arts, cultural and tourism activities etc.;
9. review existing institutional mechanisms and recommend an implementation framework for general practical implementation of pedestrian schemes basing on the Action Area Plans as examples; and
10. assess the broad order of cost and programming for implementing the priority pedestrian schemes and Action Area proposals.

STUDY AREA

4.Given the concept of pedestrian planning has in general been applied in the new towns and new development areas, the Study area would be confined to the Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Unlike Transport Department's Hong Kong Island North and Kowloon West District Traffic Study which focuses on pedestrianisation proposals mainly from a transport and traffic management approach, this Study will be planning-led and takes a cross-sectoral approach to achieve multiple and balanced objectives. To avoid duplication of efforts, the pedestrian scheme areas currently covered by Transport Department's District Traffic Study would be excluded, such as Jardine's Crescent and Russell Street in Causeway Bay, Tung Choi Street in Mongkok and Granville Road in Tsim Sha Tsui.

CONSULTATION

5.In addition to the current round of consultation on the scope of work, we will consult the Council and other relevant parties in the course of Study on :

1. the initial findings and the selection of Priority Action Areas; and
2. the major findings and the overall recommendations of the Study and Action Area Plans.

DURATION OF STUDY

6.Expressions of Interest for the Study will be invited in around June 2000. The study is anticipated to commence in October 2000 and the study period will be about 12 months, excluding the time required for the first and second stage public consultation.

ADVICE SOUGHT

7.Members are invited to comment on the scope of the Study and the stages of public consultation as per paras. 2 to 5 above.

PLANNING DEPARTMENT
MARCH 2000