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Central-Wan Chai Reclamation. A case study of sustainable development. Why is reclamation necessary in Central and Wan Chai?.
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Central-Wan Chai Reclamation A case study of sustainable development
Why is reclamation necessary in Central and Wan Chai? • to provide land for transport land use, e.g. the Hong Kong Station of the Airport Railway and the extended overrun tunnel of the Airport Railway; Central-Wan Chai Bypass and Island Eastern Corridor Link; future Shatin to Central Link; future North Hong Kong Island Line; • To provide land for recreational purpose, e.g. construction of a world class waterfront promenade; • to improve the environment of adjoining crowded districts by providing additional open space on the new reclamation; and • to integrate the development with the existing area.
Project details • At present three projects are completed. They include: • Central Reclamation Phase I (Hong Kong Station of the Airport Railway) • Central Reclamation Phase II (Tamar Basin) • Wan Chai Reclamation Phase I (HK Convention Exhibition Centre Extension) • In addition to the above completed works, the remaining two projects are: • Central Reclamation Phase III (Star Ferry & Tamar Extension Reclamation) • Wan Chai Development Phase II
Other related issues • construction of HKSAR Government Headquarters • construction of Central-Wan Chai Bypass
Turning Tamar site to recreational area • Increase space for recreation • Improve air quality • Reduce building density • Alleviate the urban heat island effect • Help building a feeling of community if space can allow mass activity participation
Locational disadvantages of the old Gov’t Headquarters • Small and limited space • Expansion is not possible • High cost of redevelopment
Locational advantages of Tamar site • Has the advantage of high centrality / accessibility • To the east, it connects to the cultural, performance arts and conventional facilities • To the south, it connects to the financial, commercial, business and tourism hubs • To the southwest, it connects to the area which is rich in historical and of heritage values • Coastal flatland available for development / relatively crowded than the old site • Further expansion is possible from reclamation • Good scenic views along Victoria Harbour
Is it a sustainable development? • It will become a new landmark in Hong Kong, e.g. favourable for tourism • Land price of the surrounding buildings may increase • Land value of surrounding buildings may decrease because they are near to government (institutional) uses and not the competitive commercial complex • With better traffic arrangement, traffic congestion will be alleviated • Favour the development on the HK Island side • Provide more job opportunities • More land for building / office supply • Ease the unemployment problem • Negative impacts
Major principles of development • Minimize impact on physical environment • Preserve the public resource – harbour • Provide recreational land use or open space
Central-Wan Chai By-pass Economic benefits Drawbacks High construction cost No toll fee is collected • Reduce time cost • Save time for delivery • Favour for logistics development
Central-Wan Chai By-pass Social benefits Negative social impacts Require reclamation May face strong public opposition block the Victoria harbour’s view • Higher accessibility to attract business more convenient, divert traffic flow • reduce traffic congestion in Causeway Bay / Wan Chai • reduce travel time • improve the coastal area’s land planning in North point • Reclamation work includes waterfront promenade
Central-Wan Chai By-pass Environmental benefits Environmental impacts --Reclamation-> Water pollution --VC(victoria harbour) narrowedlow-lying area in sheung wan will be flooded -- pollution during the construction period • Provide an elegant place for pedestrians to walk • --improve air quality—better ventilating system in the tunnel • -- drivers breath fresh air