1、Executive SummaryURBAN DESIGN GUIDELINESNovember 2002In Association withDesignscape International LimitedCW Ho AssociatesforHong KongPlanning Department,Hong Kong SAR GovernmentRMJMHong Kong LimitedUrban Design Guidlines for HongKongUrban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong1The Planning Department commi
2、ssioned the “Urban Design Guidelines for HongKong”(the Study) in early 1998 with a view to preparing a set of guidelines topromote public awareness on design considerations, and to provide a broadframework for urban design assessment.The overall objective of the Study is to promote Hong Kongs image
3、as a world-class city and to enhance the quality of our built environment in functional andaesthetic terms at both macro and micro scales.The Study covers major topics relating to urban design with special emphasis onthe following which are relevant to the day-to-day work of town planners and relate
4、dprofessionals in Hong Kong:(a)Urban design concepts and principles(b)Guidelines on design issues commonly encountered in developmentproposals(c)Design guidelines for layout planning(d)ImplementationIntroductionUrban Design Guidlines for HongKongUrban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong2 Urban Design Co
5、ncepts and PrinciplesUrban design is generally accepted as the process of giving design directions tothe relationship of buildings and space in response to social and economic forcesthat impinge upon the city at each stage of its development. In arriving at urbandesign concepts and principles for Ho
6、ng Kong, it is important first to recognisethat Hong Kong functions within a laissez-faire system, with a small governmentand an established policy of non-intervention. Hong Kong is also not a city withlarge coherent areas of quality architecture. On the other hand, Hong Kong has itsown attributes a
7、nd development needs. It is therefore necessary that the urbandesign concepts and principles for Hong Kong have to take due considerations ofthe above. Toachieve this objective, it is necessary first to understand the majorfactors that affect physical design context of Hong Kong. These factors inclu
8、detopography, historical development and the major urban design programmes.The natural context is a fundamental consideration in a citys formation. HongKong comprises very mountainous terrain, many coastlines and a good naturalharbour. This physical context has some important implications. Firstly,
9、it hasgiven rise to the evolution of our city around both sides of Victoria Harbour againsta dramatic mountain backdrop. Secondly, the steep topography has channelledother urbanisation in various parts of Hong Kong onto flat and reclaimed land withthe mountain ranges providing the natural landscape
10、background to the urbansettlements. Thirdly, the mountain ranges give Hong Kong a number of distinctviewsheds. Each viewshed develops in different form or density without necessarilyaffecting visual environment in the adjacent viewsheds. Examples to illustrate thecharacter of physical context of Hon
11、g Kong include the setting of Central andWanchai asviewed from TsimSha Tsui, MaOn Shan New Town against MaOnShan and Sai Kung viewshed, etc.Physical Design Context of Hong KongSai Kung Viewshed Central and WanchaiMa On Shan New TownTopographyUrban Design Guidlines for HongKongUrban Design Guidelines
12、 for Hong Kong3Geographical distribution of settlements and prevailing built forms add anotherdimension to the design context of Hong Kong. Development in Hong Kong wasbased upon a number of fishing villages and market towns. Then, there was rapiddevelopment in the north shore of Hong Kong Island, K
13、owloon Peninsula as wellasKwun Tong and Tsuen Wan. With the launching of the New Town Programmes,there were more deliberate and organised patterns of development at various partsof the New Territories. The evolution in the geographical pattern of urbanizationwas accompanied by the changes in built f
14、orms. In the early years, urban devel-opment consisted of Cantonese, Hakka and Tanka villages of one to two storeys.A need for development in the post war years led to increase in permissible plotratio and higher density developments. Nowadays, there are still needs to developmore high-rise building
15、s to cater for population pressure and economic growth andalso in recognition of Hong Kongs entrepreneurial spirit.Another dimension that affects the urban design context of Hong Kong is themajor urban design programmes and studies. There have been various urbandesign studies undertaken at both stra
16、tegic and district levels. The most impor-tant is the Urban Design and Landscape Framework of the Metroplan which pro-vides a visual framework and guidelines for three dimensional design of theurban form of Hong Kong. Because of the extensive consultation during the prepa-ration of the Metroplan, th
17、e urban design concepts and principles have been welltaken by the community and are useful basis for future direction and approach ofurban design in Hong Kong.Historical DevelopmentMajor Urban Design ProgrammesTaking into account the above, the urban design attributes of Hong Kong can beviewed at th
18、ree levels:(a)At the macro level is the urban design relationship between the built form(buildings, space and infrastructures) and its natural setting (mountains, waterand green space) which together form the Image of the City. Elementsinclude ridgelines, urban form, harbour, gateways, functional di
19、stricts, etc.(b)At the intermediate level is the relationship between buildings, buildings tospace, and buildings/space to streets. Attributes include composition ofbuildings, massing and heights, urban architecture, landmarks, open space,linkages, pedestrian networks, view corridors, etc.(c)At the
20、micro level is the relationship between the users (human beings) andthe built environment. It is concerned with users perception and experienceof people with their daily environment. Attributes include human scale,transition, harmony, street furniture, streetscape and others.Urban design guidelines
21、should be formulated for enhancement of the above attributesto improve livability and environmental quality of Hong Kong. From the above, theStudy establishes the definition and urban design principles to guide futuredevelopment of Hong Kong.Urban Design Attributes of Hong KongUrban Design Guidlines
22、 for HongKongUrban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong4 “Urban Design is the use of physical design methods and development processesto create a high quality, sustainable total built environment that respects the spiritof the place and public interest of Hong Kong.”or more appropriate:“Urban design aims
23、 to enhance the quality of the living conditions in Hong Kongthrough a comprehensive strategy for improving the public realm, urban amenitiesand cultural facilities, improving the quality of development, and ensuring thatdevelopment is suitable for its setting, so as to improve the urban competitive
24、nessof Hong Kong and to make it a better place in which to live.”Definition of Urban DesignIn this connection, urban design principles for Hong Kong should include:Ensure high quality:One of the key objectives of urban design is toimprove the quality of life by providing a highquality built environm
25、ent commensurate with thenatural setting.Embrace flexibility:Guidelines of urban design need to be robust andendure over time.Urban Design Concepts and PrinciplesEncourage dynamism:Hong Kongs spirit is based on a pluralism anddynamism, and any guidelines should seek toencourage, not stifle this exci
26、tement.Toachieve these principles, the Study prepares a collection of commonlyencountered urban design terms/concepts with illustrations in the Hong Kongcontext and overseas. These are contained in Final Report.Based on the foregoing discussions, it is considered that the direction of urbandesign in
27、 Hong Kong should specifically focus on the basics of urban design, i.e.by striving to ensure a high quality of built environment and providing a high qualityof life.Urban Design Guidlines for HongKongUrban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong5Guidelines on Design IssuesCommonly Encountered in Developmen
28、t ProposalszProvide relief and diversity inheight and massing ofdevelopments in differentlocalities (detailed studiesshould be carried out forindividual areas wherenecessary).zPreserve low density areas toenhance diversity in the urbancore and introduce interestinglandscape, and built forms whereapp
29、ropriate.zProtect existing view corridors toridgelines and provide visualaccess to the countryside.Development Height Profilea)Height Profile for InnerAreas of Hong Kong andKowloonHigh Density DevelopmentGarden EstateszRetain and enhance the districtcharacter of specific localities.Consider suitable
30、 height control,setbacks and tree preservationwhere appropriate.Public consultations were held to obtain general agreement by the community onthe major urban design issues of Hong Kong, including development height profile,waterfront development, cityscape, pedestrian environment and mitigation agai
31、nstnoise and air pollution from road traffic. Broad design guidelines were thenformulated on these issues for public consultation. It was commonly agreed thatapart from the issue of preservation of views to ridgelines and achievement of awell-designed waterfront, the guidelines for most of the urban
32、 design issues couldbe in advisory form and be applied administratively when appropriate. Therecommended guidelines are broad brush and separate studies will be necessaryfor detailed design items. The generally agreed design guidelines are presentedbelow.Urban Design Guidlines for HongKongUrban Desi
33、gn Guidelines for Hong Kong6zDevelopments should becompatible with their context.Out-of-context “sore thumb”developments should beavoided, especially at theperiphery of a new town.zWhere appropriate, adopt acoherent gradation in buildingheight profile from the highdensity core area to the fringe /lo
34、w density areas.b)Height Profile for New TownszCreate landmarks at the civic /commercial centres or focalpoints where appropriate.zRespect and integrate with low-rise neighbouring developmentsby stepping down building height.Use lower buildings such ascommunity halls, schools, etc.as interface and a
35、s visual andspatial relief in the urban core.zNew developments shouldrespond to the uniquetopographical and landscapesetting of a new town. Viewcorridors / breezeways tomountain backdrop or waterbodyshould be maintained.High Density AreaLow Density AreaRural Area withRecreationalActivitiesb)Height P
36、rofile for NewTownsUrban Design Guidlines for HongKongUrban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong7zBuilding height and mass shouldbe harmonised with the ruralsetting. Out-of-context “sorethumb” developments should beavoided.zDefine distinct viewshedsaccording to major ridgelines.Determine appropriate heig
37、htprofile within individual viewshed.zEncourage diversity in buildingheights in new low-risedevelopments to add variety andinterest to the suburban builtform. Avoid stereotype ormonotonous developments.zSee discussion below.zOn the waterfront, particularlyVictoria Harbour which is the“Front Elevatio
38、n of Hong Kong”,a visually interesting water edgeshould be created both withactivities at promenade level andwith innovative waterfront buildingdesign. The recommendations ofthe Town Planning Boards“Vision VP2-Cultural Complex, TsimSha Tsui; andVP3-Proposed Promenade, South East Kowloon Development.
39、(b)Viewing from Hong Kong Island towards the Kowloon ridgelines / peaksVP4-Quarry Bay Park, Quarry Bay;VP5-Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre New Wing, Wan Chai;andVP6-Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park, Sai Ying Pun.Taking into account the committed/planned developments / redevelopments, theexisting
40、 and future views from these seven vantage points to ridgelines/peaks onthe other side of the harbour are examined. View corridors from the vantage pointsare then established to preserve views to the remaining ridgelines. (c)Viewing from Victoria PeakVP7-Lion Pavillion, The PeakUrban Design Guidline
41、s for HongKongUrban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong17Proposed Vantage PointsUrban Design Guidlines for HongKongUrban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong18Panoramic View from Cultural Complex, Tsim Sha Tsui to CentralHong Kong IslandUrban Design Guidlines for HongKongUrban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong
42、19Key PlanPlanned developments/redevelopments(The outline configurations are indicative)Ridgelines/peaks for possible preservationLegend:Committed developments/redevelopments(The outline configurations are indicative)VP2 from TsimSha Tsui towards Central is illustrated asanexample.Taking into accoun
43、t the committed / planned developments /redevelopments known at this stage, some parts of the ridgelineshave already been breached by existing high-rise developments. Onlythose ridgelines/peaks coloured red remain and could potentially bepreserved.Urban Design Guidlines for HongKongUrban Design Guid
44、elines for Hong Kong20 Viewed from Cultural Complex, TsimSha TsuiThe figure shows the extent of ridgelines/peaks on HongKong Island that are still visible from Cultural Complex, TsimSha Tsui.The feedback from public consultation exercise hasconfirmed that views to ridgelines/peaks are worthy ofprese
45、rvation.Urban Design Guidlines for HongKongUrban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong21“Punctuation“of ridgelines at suitable locationsModified Metroplan guidelinesApproaches adopted in considering height profiles on both sides of Victoria Harbourto preserve views to ridgelines include the following poin
46、ts:The Metroplan (1991) guidelines could be used as a starting point in theconsideration on preservation of ridgelines/peaks.Allow flexibility for relaxation on individual merits for punctuation effects atsuitable locations.Select vantage points on the basis of accessibility and popularity to thepub
47、lic at large.Views from famous tourist spots should be preserved.Preserve all ridgelines/peaks with distinguished identity as far as possible,and with agreement by the community at large.Avoid loss of development plot ratio on private land.Allow high-rise nodes at selected strategic locations depend
48、ing on the na-ture of land uses, location and impact on ridgelines preservation.Urban Design Guidlines for HongKongUrban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong22 Conceptual city height profile with reference to VP1 to VP7zOn the basis of the aforementioned approaches, the conceptual city heightprofile on b
49、oth sides of Victoria Harbour with reference to the seven possiblevantage points is shown in the adjacent figure.zHong Kong side - Areas within the view corridors (i.e. the shaded blue areas)may have allowable heights ranging between 30 to 40 storeys on the waterfrontand above 60 storeys inland. Areas outside the view corridors could have noheight restrictions (Notes 1 and 2). There is no loss of development plot ratio(Note 3).zKowloon side - Similarly, allowable heights for areas within view corridorsmay range between 30 to 40 storeys on the waterfront a