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# HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
However, as the Government departments concerned have reservations on the above proposals, no agreement has been reached on the redevelopment. Accordingly, the Council has thought of terminating negotiations with the Government on the matter.
I and several professionals have conducted an in-depth study on the use of the Central Market site and drawn up a 'triple-win' option which will (i) provide municipal facilities for the public; (ii) satisfy Government's need for revenue from land sale; and (iii) enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong's tourism industry by putting our land resources to optimal use and adding a touch of elegance to the metropolitan city of Hong Kong.
According to the redevelopment proposal of the Government, and judging from its town planning perspective, the major projects will include a large-scale bus terminus and a commercial building. I wonder if there is still a great demand for offices in the Central District. Are the narrow streets in the vicinity of the Central Market able to cope with increased traffic flow?
With the commencement of major reclamation projects in Central and Wan Chai in recent years, many commercial precincts have, in fact, shifted eastwards. The reclamation projects have also provided a large supply of land for the development of commercial offices, hotels, retail premises and so on. Given the significant changes in the use and demand of land, the use of land gazetted in 1981 is already outdated. If the Government still chooses to follow its own course, it actually fails to keep abreast of changes in actual circumstances. In this context, the Government should conduct a review first.
At present, the traffic in the vicinity of Central Market is already very congested. It is quite out of place to adopt the Government's current proposal of providing a large-scale bus terminus there. In fact, according to the initial assessment of the Second Comprehensive Transport Study, upon the completion of new commercial buildings in the vicinity of the Central Market, coupled with the redevelopment of the Central Market into a commercial building, by 2001 the traffic flow in this area will, as compared with 1986, be increased by 52% in the morning and 55% in the evening when office workers return home.
Moreover, the new bus terminus which has been built on the Central Reclamation should be adequate to satisfy passengers' needs. Therefore, in view of the land use and traffic condition mentioned above, it is unwise for the Government to hold on to the use of land gazetted in 1981 and redevelop the major part of the Central Market site into a commercial building and a bus terminus.
I propose that about 70% of the Central Market site be designated for the construction of a venue for municipal and civic performances, a festive fairground and a sitting-out area, while releasing the remaining 30% for sale by the Government for commercial purpose. This proposal will, in the first place,
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Page 460 of 654
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Page 460 of 654
456
HONG KONG PROVISIONAL URBAN COUNCIL
However, as the Government departments concerned have reservations on the above proposals, no agreement has been reached on the redevelopment. Accordingly, the Council has thought of terminating negotiations with the Government on the matter.
I and several professionals have conducted an in-depth study on the use of the Central Market site and drawn up a 'triple-win' option which will (i) provide municipal facilities for the public; (ii) satisfy Government's need for revenue from land sale; and (iii) enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong's tourism industry by putting our land resources to optimal use and adding a touch of elegance to the metropolitan city of Hong Kong.
According to the redevelopment proposal of the Government, and judging from its town planning perspective, the major projects will include a large-scale bus terminus and a commercial building. I wonder if there is still a great demand for offices in the Central District. Are the narrow streets in the vicinity of the Central Market able to cope with increased traffic flow?
With the commencement of major reclamation projects in Central and Wan Chai in recent years, many commercial precincts have, in fact, shifted eastwards. The reclamation projects have also provided a large supply of land for the development of commercial offices, hotels, retail premises and so on. Given the significant changes in the use and demand of land, the use of land gazetted in 1981 is already outdated. If the Government still chooses to follow its own course, it actually fails to keep abreast of changes in actual circumstances. In this context, the Government should conduct a review first.
At present, the traffic in the vicinity of Central Market is already very congested. It is quite out of place to adopt the Government's current proposal of providing a large-scale bus terminus there. In fact, according to the initial assessment of the Second Comprehensive Transport Study, upon the completion of new commercial buildings in the vicinity of the Central Market, coupled with the redevelopment of the Central Market into a commercial building, by 2001 the traffic flow in this area will, as compared with 1986, be increased by 52% in the morning and 55% in the evening when office workers return home.
Moreover, the new bus terminus which has been built on the Central Reclamation should be adequate to satisfy passengers' needs. Therefore, in view of the land use and traffic condition mentioned above, it is unwise for the Government to hold on to the use of land gazetted in 1981 and redevelop the major part of the Central Market site into a commercial building and a bus terminus.
I propose that about 70% of the Central Market site be designated for the construction of a venue for municipal and civic performances, a festive fairground and a sitting-out area, while releasing the remaining 30% for sale by the Government for commercial purpose. This proposal will, in the first place,
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