HONG KONG, 30 August 2019 — In December 2017, the Transport Department (TD) commenced the 30-month Consultancy Study on Enhancing Walkability in Hong Kong aiming at formulating planning and design standards based on pedestrian-first principles for developing Hong Kong into a more walkable city. In June 2019, TD selected Central as one of the pilot areas to test and showcase the proposed walkability strategy and pedestrian plans.
Central essentially functions as Hong Kong’s largest public transport interchange as multiple modes of transportation converge, including the MTR, the Airport Express, over 70 bus routes, the tram and ferries to outlying islands and Macau. Civic Exchange strongly supports the Government’s plan to foster a pedestrian-friendly environment for people to commute, connect and enjoy in Central.
We suggest to:
- create a comprehensive walking plan for Central, including interchange routes between public transport modes.
- improve the efficiency of last-mile logistics by planning safe, trolley-accessible walking routes for delivery people and waste collectors.
- improve accessibility for users of wheelchairs, prams and wheeled luggage simultaneously.
- raise the quality of the pedestrian environment to build a liveable city.
- address street management problems through better coordination between government departments.
- update road design standards to facilitate better pedestrian-friendly planning and design.
- implement Electronic Road Pricing to complement walkability enhancement
- conduct extensive public education on the benefits of walkability by holding car-free days or smaller scale local experiments.
Hong Kong has managed to create one of the world’s most efficient public transportation networks. The city is already very walkable in many ways, as evidenced by Hong Kongers’ walking habits. According to a global survey, Hong Kong residents walk more than the residents of 45 other countries, taking an average of 6,880 steps per day. There is much to be proud of. This is also an excellent base on which to build a people-first mobility strategy with a high-quality public realm.
