Waterfront promenade in Causeway bay

Most of the waterfront on Hong Kong Island is underutilized as a public space for rest and leisure. The city has a rich heritage and resource in its harbour and so it is regrettable that residents and visitors are not given a greater opportunity to enjoy this. In the New Territories area of Hong Kong, including districts such as Sha Tin, there are better leisure facilities for residents and visitors. What can Hong Kong Island learn from this?

As an ongoing project the Hong Kong government has commenced redevelopment of the waterfront, focusing on specific areas between the Central District Harbour Front and Quarry Bay to the East. Close to Causeway Bay the plan is for only a limited upgrade to the pedestrian promenade, which is currently used mostly by dog walkers, those reaching the boats that are moored in the nearby marina, and as a rest area for foreign domestic helpers on Sundays. The condition of the paving is poor, with very limited accessibility to the neighbouring commercial district and transportation links. There is an abrupt sea wall and metal fence offering no real chance for people to interact with the waterside, or to safely step down and sit near the water’s edge, no running or bicycle track, very few public seating areas and not enough greenery….. so if you have a chance to walk along this waterfront side, you can only smell gasoline from the motorway, and smell dog pee… How much this waterfront promenade will transform through the current design proposal in terms of social interaction and cultural engagement…. I don’t know but I’m also wondering whether the government thoroughly understand what will make the local people enthusiastically engage with the waterfront promenade, what the people actually would like to have, rather than a dress-up promotional exercise for Hong Kong….