香港城市设计导则

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