Executive Summary
URBAN DESIGN GUIDELINES
November 2002
In Association with
Designscape International Limited
CW Ho Associates
for Hong Kong
Planning Department,
Hong Kong SAR Government
RMJM
Hong Kong Limited
Urban Design Guidlines for Hong
Kong
Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong 1
The Planning Department commissioned the “Urban Design Guidelines for Hong
Kong”(the Study) in early 1998 with a view to preparing a set of guidelines to
promote public awareness on design considerations, and to provide a broad
framework for urban design assessment.
The overall objective of the Study is to promote Hong Kong’s image as a world-
class city and to enhance the quality of our built environment in functional and
aesthetic terms at both macro and micro scales.
The Study covers major topics relating to urban design with special emphasis on
the following which are relevant to the day-to-day work of town planners and related
professionals in Hong Kong:
(a) Urban design concepts and principles
(b) Guidelines on design issues commonly encountered in development
proposals
(c) Design guidelines for layout planning
(d) Implementation
Introduction
Urban Design Guidlines for Hong
Kong
Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong2
Urban Design Concepts and Principles
Urban design is generally accepted as the process of giving design directions to
the relationship of buildings and space in response to social and economic forces
that impinge upon the city at each stage of its development. In arriving at urban
design concepts and principles for Hong Kong, it is important first to recognise
that Hong Kong functions within a laissez-faire system, with a small government
and an established policy of non-intervention. Hong Kong is also not a city with
large coherent areas of quality architecture. On the other hand, Hong Kong has its
own attributes and development needs. It is therefore necessary that the urban
design concepts and principles for Hong Kong have to take due considerations of
the above. To achieve this objective, it is necessary first to understand the major
factors that affect physical design context of Hong Kong. These factors include
topography, historical development and the major urban design programmes.
The natural context is a fundamental consideration in a city’s formation. Hong
Kong comprises very mountainous terrain, many coastlines and a good natural
harbour. This physical context has some important implications. Firstly, it has
given rise to the evolution of our city around both sides of Victoria Harbour against
a dramatic mountain backdrop. Secondly, the steep topography has channelled
other urbanisation in various parts of Hong Kong onto flat and reclaimed land with
the mountain ranges providing the natural landscape background to the urban
settlements. Thirdly, the mountain ranges give Hong Kong a number of distinct
viewsheds. Each viewshed develops in different form or density without necessarily
affecting visual environment in the adjacent viewsheds. Examples to illustrate the
character of physical context of Hong Kong include the setting of Central and
Wanchai as viewed from Tsim Sha Tsui, Ma On Shan New Town against Ma On
Shan and Sai Kung viewshed, etc.
Physical Design Context of Hong Kong
Sai Kung Viewshed
Central and Wanchai
Ma On Shan New Town
Topography
Urban Design Guidlines for Hong
Kong
Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong 3
Geographical distribution of settlements and prevailing built forms add another
dimension to the design context of Hong Kong. Development in Hong Kong was
based upon a number of fishing villages and market towns. Then, there was rapid
development in the north shore of Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula as well
as Kwun Tong and Tsuen Wan. With the launching of the New Town Programmes,
there were more deliberate and organised patterns of development at various parts
of the New Territories. The evolution in the geographical pattern of urbanization
was accompanied by the changes in built forms. 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 plot
ratio and higher density developments. Nowadays, there are still needs to develop
more high-rise buildings to cater for population pressure and economic growth and
also in recognition of Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial spirit.
Another dimension that affects the urban design context of Hong Kong is the
major urban design programmes and studies. There have been various urban
design studies undertaken at both strategic 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 the
urban form of Hong Kong. Because of the extensive consultation during the prepa-
ration of the Metroplan, the urban design concepts and principles have been well
taken by the community and are useful basis for future direction and approach of
urban design in Hong Kong.
Historical Development
Major Urban Design Programmes
Taking into account the above, the urban design attributes of Hong Kong can be
viewed at three levels:
(a) At the macro level is the urban design relationship between the built form
(buildings, space and infrastructures) and its natural setting (mountains, water
and green space) which together form the ‘Image of the City’. Elements
include ridgelines, urban form, harbour, gateways, functional districts, etc.
(b) At the intermediate level is the relationship between buildings, buildings to
space, and buildings/space to streets. Attributes include composition of
buildings, massing and heights, urban architecture, landmarks, open space,
linkages, pedestrian networks, view corridors, etc.
(c) At the micro level is the relationship between the users (human beings) and
the built environment. It is concerned with user’s perception and experience
of people with their daily environment. Attributes include human scale,
transition, harmony, street furniture, streetscape and others.
Urban design guidelines should be formulated for enhancement of the above attributes
to improve livability and environmental quality of Hong Kong. From the above, the
Study establishes the definition and urban design principles to guide future
development of Hong Kong.
Urban Design Attributes of Hong Kong
Urban Design Guidlines for Hong
Kong
Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong4
“Urban Design is the use of physical design methods and development processes
to create a high quality, sustainable total built environment that respects the spirit
of the place and public interest of Hong Kong.”
or more appropriate:
“Urban design aims to enhance the quality of the living conditions in Hong Kong
through a comprehensive strategy for improving the public realm, urban amenities
and cultural facilities, improving the quality of development, and ensuring that
development is suitable for its setting, so as to improve the urban competitiveness
of Hong Kong and to make it a better place in which to live.”
Definition of Urban Design
In this connection, urban design principles for Hong Kong should include:
• Ensure high quality: One of the key objectives of urban design is to
improve the quality of life by providing a high
quality built environment commensurate with the
natural setting.
• Embrace flexibility: Guidelines of urban design need to be robust and
endure over time.
Urban Design Concepts and Principles
• Encourage dynamism: Hong Kong’s spirit is based on a pluralism and
dynamism, and any guidelines should seek to
encourage, not stifle this excitement.
To achieve these principles, the Study prepares a collection of commonly
encountered urban design terms/concepts with illustrations in the Hong Kong
context and overseas. These are contained in Final Report.
Based on the foregoing discussions, it is considered that the direction of urban
design in 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 quality
of life.
Urban Design Guidlines for Hong
Kong
Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong 5
Guidelines on Design Issues
Commonly Encountered in Development Proposals
z Provide relief and diversity in
h e i g h t a n d m a s s i n g o f
developments in different
localities (detailed studies
should be carried out for
i n d i v i d u a l a r e a s w h e r e
necessary).
z Preserve low density areas to
enhance diversity in the urban
core and introduce interesting
landscape, and built forms where
appropriate.
z Protect existing view corridors to
ridgelines and provide visual
access to the countryside.
Development Height Profile
a) Height Profile for Inner
Areas of Hong Kong and
Kowloon
High Density Development
Garden Estates
z Retain and enhance the district
character of specific localities.
Consider suitable height control,
setbacks and tree preservation
where appropriate.
Public consultations were held to obtain general agreement by the community on
the major urban design issues of Hong Kong, including development height profile,
waterfront development, cityscape, pedestrian environment and mitigation against
noise and air pollution from road traffic. Broad design guidelines were then
formulated on these issues for public consultation. It was commonly agreed that
apart from the issue of preservation of views to ridgelines and achievement of a
well-designed waterfront, the guidelines for most of the urban design issues could
be in advisory form and be applied administratively when appropriate. The
recommended guidelines are broad brush and separate studies will be necessary
for detailed design items. The generally agreed design guidelines are presented
below.
Urban Design Guidlines for Hong
Kong
Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong6
z Developments should be
compatible with their context.
Out-of-context “sore thumb”
deve lopments shou ld be
avoided, especially at the
periphery of a new town.
z Where appropriate, adopt a
coherent gradation in building
height profile from the high
density core area to the fringe /
low density areas.
b) Height Profile for New Towns
z Create landmarks at the civic /
commercial centres or focal
points where appropriate.
z Respect and integrate with low-
rise neighbouring developments
by stepping down building height.
Use lower buildings such as
community halls, schools, etc.
as interface and as visual and
spatial relief in the urban core.
z New developments should
r e s p o n d t o t h e u n i q u e
topographical and landscape
setting of a new town. View
corr idors / breezeways to
mountain backdrop or waterbody
should be maintained.
High Density AreaLow Density AreaRural Area with
Recreational
Activities
b) Height Profi le for New
Towns
Urban Design Guidlines for Hong
Kong
Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong 7
z Building height and mass should
be harmonised with the rural
setting. Out-of-context “sore
thumb” developments should be
avoided.
z Define dist inct v iewsheds
according to major ridgelines.
Determine appropriate height
profile within individual viewshed.
z Encourage diversity in building
h e i g h t s i n n e w l o w - r i s e
developments to add variety and
interest to the suburban built
form. Avoid stereotype or
monotonous developments.
z See discussion below.
z On the waterfront, particularly
Victoria Harbour which is the
“Front Elevation of Hong Kong”,
a visually interesting water edge
should be created both with
activities at promenade level and
with innovative waterfront building
design. The recommendations of
the Town Planning Board’s
“Vision & Goals for Victoria
Harbour” should be followed.
Waterfront Development
Incompatible
Building Mass
Sai Kung
Tai O
Major
Ridgelines
c) Height Profile for Rural Areas d) Height Profi le for Areas
around Victoria Harbour
Urban Design Guidlines for Hong
Kong
Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong8
z Visua l access should be
maintained to the waterfront by
preserv ing and prov id ing
additional view corridors. This will
also allow visual permeability
from the waterfront into the inner
areas and enhance the micro-
cl imate of inner areas by
facilitating air movement through
breezeways.
z Create an active waterfront with
diversi ty in act iv i t ies and
functions including restaurants,
bars, retail facilities, promenades
and piers. Add well-designed
landscaping and street furniture
where appropriate.
z Encourage diversity in building
mass to avoid a monotonous
harbourfront image. The massing
should create points of interests
and nodes.
z Provide promenades along the
waterfront and avoid incompatible
land uses. Sites along the
waterfront should be reserved for
cu l tu ra l , tour ism-re la ted ,
recreational and retail activities.
z Introduce landmarks at suitable
locations, for example at the
harbour entrance or to mark a
district. Well-designed low-rise
buildings can also achieve this
goal on the waterfront such as
the Hong Kong Convention and
Exhibition Centre New Wing in
Wan Chai.
View Corridors Breezeways
Urban Design Guidlines for Hong
Kong
Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong 9
z Avoid the “Wall” effect and create
a varying building height profile
where appropr ia te . Ta l ler
developments should be located
inland, with lower developments
on the waterfront. In new
developed areas, consideration
should be given to designation of
coastal sites for low density
development.
z Maximise accessibility to the
waterfront for pedestr ians
( i n c l u d i n g p e r s o n s w i t h
disabilities) by providing physical
linkages from the urban core
areas.
A “Wall” Varying building profile, taller
buildings inland and lower on
the waterfront
z Avoid major infrastructure projects on the waterfront which create a visual and
physical barrier to the open water. Roads along the waterfront should be avoided
where practicable.
Coastal Elevated Roads Inland Tunnel
Coastal TunnelCoastal Road
Avoid locating roads on waterfront Submerge the road underground
or under the harbour edge
Urban Design Guidlines for Hong
Kong
Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong10
z Encourage well landscaped
green open spaces that meet
the functional requirements for
active and passive recreational
uses.
z Maximise public accessibility to
o p e n s p a c e s w i t h e a s y
pedestrian circulation and
minimum interface with roads.
Visual l inkage along view
corridors could help orientate
pedestrians and direct them to
the open space facilities. View
corridors should be landscaped
wherever practicable.
z Provide focal landmark features
in open spaces to achieve
orientation and create a sense
of place.
Cityscape
a) Open Spaces
z Introduce more “green” spaces
at street level. Encourage
developments to allocate more
g r o u n d l e v e l s p a c e f o r
landscaping and provide more
setbacks (e.g. less podium
coverage) for tree planting. Where
practicable, provide more well
landscaped green areas and
amenity strips along major
transport corridors, street
frontages and walkways.
z Provide a balanced mix of hard
and soft landscape. Detailed
micro-scale landscape design
should be site specif ic to
maximise legibility, to create a
comfortable environment and to
green the city.
Urban Design Guidlines for Hong
Kong
Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong 1 1
z Encourage conservation of
heritage, architectural, and
culturally significant buildings to
enhance cultural and historical
continuity in Hong Kong. Provide
or preserve suitable settings for
heritage buildings.
z Suitable settings should be
created for individual or clusters
of heritage buildings. Building
heights should generally step
down towards these heritage
buildings.
z Minimise negative impact of new
neighbouring development. For
e x a m p l e , t e r r a c e d a n d
landscaped podium could be
adopted to integrate more
coherently with scale and
possibly the character of a
heritage building.
z Local districts have their own
unique cultural act ivi t ies,
p h y s i c a l a n d h i s t o r i c a l
characters. In redevelopment,
retain and enhance these
activities and characters as far
as possible. The step-streets of
Central, the overhead signage of
Tsim Sha Tsui and the retail
activities at Temple Street are
examples of characteristics
worth preserving.
z Maximise the provision of well
landscaped open space at
ground, podium, and roof levels.
This will both serve the open
space users as well as viewers
o v e r l o o k i n g t h e g r e e n
environment.
b) Conservation of Heritage
Buildings/ Local Characters
Urban Design Guidlines for Hong
Kong
Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong12
z In t roduce t ra f f ic ca lming
measures such as speed bumps
and raised crossings to minimise
the conflict between vehicles and
pedestrians.
z Provide safe, clean, accessible
and interesting environments with
due consideration to micro-
c l i m a t e f o r p e d e s t r i a n
circulation. Ease of access
should be ensured for persons
with disabilities.
z Integrate the provision of
pedestrian linkages with that of
open space networks.
Pedestrian Environment
z Minimise the negative visual
impact of these supporting
structures by using infill panels
such as brick or ornate metal
screens.
z Introduce suitable landscaping
with tall trees and hanging plants
to screen the stilted structures.
z Provide pedestrian priority
facilities, such as pedestrianised
streets and underground/semi-
submerged roads, to encourage
segregation of vehicles and
pedestrians where appropriate.
Pedestrianised Landscape
Buffer
Pedestrians
Segregated
Footpath
Seating, kids
play etc.
c) Stilted Structures
a) Pedestrian Circulation
Urban Design Guidlines for Hong
Kong
Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong 1 3
Place of Interest
Linkage
Bus Stop
z Provide high quality pavement
surfaces such as patterned tiles,
brick paving, or stone finish. The
provision of street furniture
s h o u l d c o m p l e m e n t t h e
character of the area or the
adjacent developments. Avoid
using standardised specifications
for designs and materials
especially in business and tourist
areas.
z Provide di rect pedestr ian
linkages between activity nodes
and places of interest. Enhance
the attractiveness of these
linkages by providing active
frontage and wider streets
interspersed with open spaces
and green nodes. For ground level
and underground pedestrian
passages, more lively and green
environment should be provided.
z Provide ramps for the circulation
of the elderly, persons with
disabilities, parents with children,
etc.
z Reduce ground coverage of
podium to allow more open
space at grade and for street
activities. Allow for small-scale
focal landmarks such as the
en t rance , s cu l p tu res o r
l a n d s c a p e f e a t u r e s a s
memorable landmarks at street
level.
b) Streetscape
Urban Design Guidlines for Hong
Kong
Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong14
z Provide non-sensitive buildings or
setbacks to create buffers between
roads (pollution source) and sensitive
receivers. Office buildings, enclosed
sports halls, retail malls, etc can be
used as buffers.
z Priority should be given to controlling
pollution at source. Measures such
as the control of vehicles' emissions,
provision of submerged or semi-
s u b m e r g e d r o a d s , a n d
pedestrianisation can help achieve
this goal.
z Encourage the provision of active
street frontages and various street
activities, such as shop fronts, bars,
cafes at street level and human scale.
Avoid locating mechanical plant
rooms or “dead elevations” on these
frontages.
z In t roduce in te rna l pub l ic
circulation on “desire lines” to
connect popular destinations.
These linkages should be freely
accessible to the public, should
be of
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