No_1_1959 — Page 13

THE BROADWALK

A Possible Solution of the Problem of Central District Traffic Congestion.

The solution of the problem of east, the large area of the naval dock his needs. This then is the principle, traffic congestion in town centres by yard is about to become available for and this is the direction in which the placing vehicles and pedestrians on the use of the citizen. To the north leadership of the authorities should different levels is neither new nor work now progresses on the City Hall, impel development. wholly the product of logical thought, and to the north-west a new reclama- The Broadwalk is an example of Most large cities now have places tion will soon provide still more land. how such a lead might be given. The where traffic is so dense that traffic Few cities have ever had such a chance object of this proposal is to give a lights, policemen and pedestrian cross- to renew and improve the original fillip to the idea, already current, of ings have had to be abandoned in core around which they have grown. raising the pedestrian level in the favour of subways or bridges. The What is needed, of course, is a central district to the first floor, and individual subway or bridge, however, plan; but what sort of a plan should to set in motion a process of develop- is merely a palliative for a symptom, it be? What sort of planning is even ment which would eventually give and ΠΟ cure for the disease, and possible in a place so devoted to over the ground level exclusively to theory has improved on practice by individualism and so vulnerable to vehicles and services. That the idea suggesting that what has been adopted the shifts and changes of fortune is already current is shown not only as an expedient in isolated places as Hong Kong? Do not Abercrom- by the suggestions referred to above, could form the principle for the design bie's suggestions, after a mere decade, but also more concretely by the design of complete systems of vehicular and make curious reading now? Who can of some of the new buildings now pedestrian circulation, and that tell whether any new plan might not proceeding in the area3, and of others throughout central areas vehicles and be as quickly outdated?

already completed*. In these build- pedestrians should move on different It would be a bold man indeed who ings the shopper is encouraged onto levels. Despite the simplicity of this would give a confident and positive the first floor by entrances at different idea, construction costs and the rights answer to these questions. Yet plan- levels or by escalators, or provision of property owners in existing centres ning of some sort there must be, and is made for future shopping arcades have usually prevented such schemes boldness to embark upon it. That is and walkways at first floor level. from being attempted, or even con- not to say that the leisurely proce- Thus the developer seems already templated.

dures of more settled communities are anxious to raise the pedestrian level.

Hong Kong has only recently grown possible. We have not the time to For once it seems that commercial to be numbered among the fifty major spend in survey work and its analysis, advantage and logical planning are in cities of the world, but its problems nor the men to do it; and if we had, step. All that is needed is for autho- of congestion are already acute. The the figures would change even while rity to give this desirable form of density figures of vehicles per mile of they were undergoing scrutiny, so development practical support and road and of population per square that the conclusions, when reached, encouragement.

mile of urban land are among the would be out of date. What is needed The Broadwalk is a scheme for a world's highest, and are becoming instead is a set of planning principles, covered promenade running at high higher. It therefore not only becomes legislation to protect these principles, level from the Star Ferry terminal logical to economise in land by placing and a lead from the authorities in across the intermediate streets to Bat- pedestrian surfaces above, rather than putting them into practice.

tery Path. Its immediate object is to alongside, vehicular surfaces; it is also,

The first principle in the case of serve as an artery for the daily flow one is tempted to assert, unavoidable. central areas has already been stated: of commuters using the Star Ferry Already one subway is in existence, the separation, since space is horizon- and bound for offices and shops with- and more are planned; but the call for tally so limited, of pedestrian and in walking distance. It serves initially a complete plan of traffic separation vehicular surfaces. The term "sur- the new commercial developments to rather than a series of piecemeal faces" needs explanation. It is used the west of the square, the banks expedients grows louder. A scheme to include not only footpaths and between Des Voeux Road and Queen's put forward in 1958 by four architects roadways, but also the ancillary Road, and leads to the existing com- showed a detailed proposal for the spaces associated with them; for pedes plex of pedestrian ways around the use of separate levels in redeveloping trians resting-places and seats, tele Government Offices, Cathedral and the naval dockyard area. More recent phone kiosks and newspaper stalls, Peak Tram terminal. Its length is ly there was a suggestion in this pitches for vendors, public lift lobbies about a quarter of a mile, journal2 for a pedestrian precinct to and shopping arcades; for vehicles minutes walk. Its width is sufficient the west of Statue Square, and for car parks, stopping places, unloading to take two ferryloads of passengers the extension of pedestrian circulations bays, filling stations, garages and disgorged at once from the ferry ter- to the first floor level.

service areas. In addition to these minal, and to allow a more steady public spaces the raised pedestrian stream to pass in the other direction. In the particular case of Hong level will also contain such private Its height above road level varies Kong it is fortunate that an acute

areas as the back quarters of shops between fifteen and twenty feet, with problem is inatched by a rare oppor- and the lobbies of hotels, offices, a gentle gradient between the first tunity. As fast as capital can be found the lessors of the larger blocks buildings above.

commercial houses and flats in the floor level at the ferry building and The vehicular area the Connaught Road crossing, and of property adjoining Statue Square and the Star Ferry are replacing the on ground level will contain similarly another from the Des Voeux Road older buildings with new.

To the space for deliveries and storage, me- crossing to the junction with Battery chanical plant and its service, and Path. A roof provides shelter against 1. S. Kwok, C.S., Markbreiter, B.C. Pen- secondary access to lifts and stairs. sun and rain. A fortunate accident man and E. Wong: Fourth Hong Kong The citizen on foot, with all his needs, enables the line of the Broadwalk to

Festival of Arts Exhibition. 1958.

2. Trajan's Column: "Precincts for is thus to be placed over the head of

Peace." Hong Kong & Far East

Builder, Volume 13, Number 5.

the citizen in his motor car, and all

or four

3. Union House. Central Building. 4. Man Yee Building.