Redevelop Harbor-front into Public Place : Taking the Design of Wan Chai North Waterfront, Hong Kong as Application Case

Abstract: Place-making is a concept applied by cities all over the world. Inherent in the idea is that local conditions must influence the process of investigation and design of public places. The aim of this thesis is to explore the subject worldwide and then to implement the findings in a design proposal for the Hong-Kong waterfront. Through reading and discussing a number of scholars and designers’ theories about public place-making, I have found out what design factors are important in place-making. From the literature review I have derived seven design aspects (land use, attractions, accessibility, identity, integration, environmental quality, management) which I discuss in relation to the Hong Kong case. I also studied three implemented harbour redevelopment projects to get an understanding of the factors in play. It is shown that a waterfront’s public place-making is different from others in the aspect that the waterfront place should primarily enhance its connection with the existing water, regardless of other factors such as land use, attractions, accessibility etc. Hong Kong is a harbor city that depends on Victoria Harbor to develop its economy. The harbor-front area of Victoria Harbor has played a crucial role in Hong Kong redevelopment in recent years. To well redevelop the harbor-front, Hong Kong government has formulated a series of policies and carried out various researches on the Victoria Harbor-front. At present, there are multiple issues of the waterfront areas along the Victoria Harbor impeding the redevelopment, such as improper land use, pedestrian-unfriendly walking space, discontinuous and narrow promenades etc. In the thesis, I have selected the waterfront in Wan Chai North in Hong Kong as my specific case to research on, which is a place facing these problems. Through field observations and local planning department consultation, I collected important information and materials to help me analyze the site thoroughly. The work concludes with a design proposal for the waterfront Wan Chai North to be redeveloped into public place. It is my hope that the thesis to some extent can guide other waterfront redevelopments in Hong Kong.