A new Booking Hall and entry point to the KCR new terminal is suggested opening from it as well as from the Plaza (J) - (a second such Hall is suggested at the eastern end of the area adjoining the bus terminal also).
vii) The north-south axis would permit the integration into the Cultural Centre area of the pedestrian movement patterns by bridges over Canton and Kowloon Park Road and the ready use by the public of the garden area on top of the Marine Police Station (L) Hill.
The retention of the "Time Bell" tower, the trees and the old Police Station (M) (converted perhaps into Urban Council offices) could retain the pleasant character of this area and bring it into immediate public use as a minor green open space, which, since it is lifted above the general vehicle movement level, is quieter and more isolated than any similar area can be at traffic level.
We have not been able to see the inside of the Marine Police Station building and do not know its condition or character but the front block could be retained with a new office building behind if it was thought desirable as the architectural quality seems to be limited to the main entrance block.
viii) It will be noticed that the area currently occupied by the old
Fire Services Building and the Welfare Handicraft shop (R) is indicated as being occupied by a new 200' high commercial build- ing: the condition of its lease being that it provide a 2 storey high 'gap' in its structure at the level of the open space (L) permitting the bridge access (T), and integration with the area (L).
ix) The New Theatre (C), Concert Hall (D), Museum (E), Planetarium (G) and Restaurants (F), as well as the various landscaped courtyards, roof terraces and walkways (P) all open off the east-west spine 'B'. The spine itself could possess an indoor/outdoor character with suitable planting and sitting areas. It could possess kiosks and refreshment areas, booking offices and any other service counters needed for the running of the precinct.
x) The Southern' Harbour Side' walkway stretching from the Star Ferry Plaza to the eastern end could possess a series of visual and spatial experiences linked to the massing and detailed layout of the buildings in front of which it runs. Interlevel links should be provided so that the landscaped terraces and outdoor eating spaces formed by the roof terraces of restaurants etc., are integrated with the paved promenades at ground level. The impact of the cultural prencinct would be that of a series of garden terraces each with its own intimacies and views, from which the new forms of the theatre, concert hall and museum, and the traditional buildings of the KCR could be viewed without destruction of the scale of the latter.
xi) The roofed over Bus Terminal (H) could carry over it limited ad- ministrative and other requirements only. It could have the commercial developments which was considered possible were it built on the site on the old Marine Police Station lot (L), but these are perhaps undesirable in such close proximity with the Cultural Precinct. Its roof could be further partially landscaped; as another contribution to the open space of the area, in the form of courtyards lighting the limited accommodation at this upper level, the details would need an analysis of the required heights below.
G
4
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