JOHN BATTEN GALLERY / 27 AUGUST - 10 SEPTEMBER 2005 /
"Coming Near You:
The Destruction of Central Hong Kong"
an exhibition of information for the public
Duration: 27 August 2005 to 10 September 2005
The purpose of this ‘exhibition' is to provide information to the public about proposed development changes in Hong Kong's Central district. Hong Kong residents are aware that it is difficult getting clear information from government sources about any town planning or development proposal – hence this explanatory exhibition.
Under the guise of 'urban renewal' and 'development' Hong Kong's Central district from Des Voeux Road to Caine Road will undergo devastating changes in the next five years. According to current Government plans the:
- Central Market will be sold and then developed.
- An Urban Renewal Authority area has been declared between Queens' Rd Central and Gage Street and this area will be demolished.
- The Ex-Police Quarters on Hollywood Road and Aberdeen Street will be sold and then developed.
- An Urban Renewal Authority area has been declared between Bridges Street to the base of Caine Road and this area will be demolished (the URA refers to this site as: the Staunton Street and Wing Lee Street development – see below).
- Victoria Prison & the former Central Police Station is in the hands of the Tourist Commission to explore future commercial uses for this large site.
- The Urban Renewal Authority wishes to build a commercial building and plaza directly in front of Man Mo Temple - absorbing the present small park, some older low-rise buildings and demolishing an historic wall.
- And private developers are currently building up their landbanks in the area e.g. the former Wah Kiu Yat Po (Newspaper) site in Hollywood Road - near Man Mo Temple - where a monolithic 44-storey commercial/residential block is being built. The same developer is currently purchasing properties in SOHO: in Staunton, Elgin and Bridges Streets.
Reasonable and appropriate development for the area is, of course, acceptable – this would include preservation and renovation of the many low-rise buildings in the area as a way of keeping the present historic social and economic fabric intact. If new buildings are constructed, they should complement those buildings that already exist by also being low-rise; be of innovative design (rather than the toilet-tiled stock that is common) and fit into the present social and economic fabric of the area.
An example of the type of Urban Renewal Authority's plans for the area can be seen for the Staunton Street and Wing Lee Street URA development – demolition of historic shop-houses and construction of high-rise residential/ commercial buildings that will permanently alter the look and feel of this unique area - see:
