ULI Report Explores a Public Interest–Centered Approach to Design Hong Kong Harborfront Site

Ensuring inclusion and access to all, embodying Hong Kong’s societal values and global identity, safeguarding Hong Kong’s heritage for future generations, and committing to sustainability are among some of the ideas suggested in a new ULI report on how Site 3 of the New Central Harbourfront in Hong Kong can best serve the local community.

The report, titled Central Harbourfront Site 3: Design Principles for the Public Good, offers recommendations for Site 3’s $6.5 billion development so that it can better serve the public interest while balancing its commercial viability and attractiveness.

“Site 3 will not only create one of the most important landmarks to Hong Kong’s Central Business District, it also has the potential to shape the future development of commercial real estate in Hong Kong and beyond,” says David Faulkner, president of the ULI Asia Pacific region. “The design principles for Site 3 draws upon the expertise and creative ideas of architecture firms, arts organizations, academia and civic groups to help the successful tenderer combine commercial and public interests seamlessly, thereby setting a new benchmark for public-centric commercial property development.”

The report outlines the following ten design principles for Site 3’s development:

1. Ensure Inclusion and Access for All – Demand for public space in high-density areas in Hong Kong is high, and Site 3 should consider social inclusion (no barriers for different ethnicity, race, religion, citizenship, age or gender), physical inclusion (access for people of various age groups by foot or other means) and economic inclusion (opportunities for employment, upskilling and driving economic activities) for the design and operation of the space to be inclusive.
2. Spark Life and Vibrancy through Site Activation – Site 3 should be a balanced blend of public and commercial uses as well as match and correspond with the existing well-established developments and different urban functions in its surrounding. Operators and organizers of these different uses could include sources from diverse backgrounds, providing opportunities to start-ups, small enterprises, and social innovators.
3. Embody Hong Kong’s Societal Values and Global Identity – Site 3 should consider its proximity to the financial heart of Hong Kong, and play a complementary and leading role in telling Hong Kong’s story along with other existing waterfront sites, such as the integration of arts and culture, sustainability education, green finance, and green exchanges.
4. Support Local Character and Uniqueness – The report suggests the incorporation of local characteristics into Site 3’s design and proposed commercial curations as a memento of Hong Kong’s streetscapes, which is uniquely shaped by global influences.
5. Safeguard Hong Kong’s Heritage for Future Generations – The report calls for Site 3 to protect cultural heritage resources by referencing other heritage buildings such as Tai Kwun, PMQ, and Central Market which have been revitalized and transformed to promote local artists and brands. The report also urges the successful tenderer to consider the three important elements of Hong Kong history in and around Site 3 in its design: The Hong Kong Maritime Museum, The Star Ferry Clock Tower and The General Post Office.
6. Ensure Connectivity and Convenience – Site 3 should ensure connectivity on multiple levels, be it the overall design appearance of the proposed building blocks on site and its surrounding landscape design, or the physical connections namely transportation and footbridge networks, or the virtual connections such as on-site 5G and its software program.
7. Use Holistic Local Planning and Integrate with Neighbors – Site 3 should be able to enhance the overall experience in Central. Open space and suitable building heights should be adopted into the design to accentuate the famous skyline of Hong Kong, while multimodal activities can be hosted to promote Hong Kong’s heritage. This could include a collaboration with the Maritime Museum and traditional events such as dragon boat races near the waterfront.
8. Make the Site Compatible with a Sustainable Planet – Site 3 should be part of the decarbonization movement for Hong Kong. This includes pushing forward the government waste reduction policy, deploying Internet of Things (IoT) technology to enhance building efficiency, engaging retailers or food and beverage operators with sustainable business models, adopting nature-based solutions such as using green roofs and green walls, and more.
9. Include Public Participation and Community Engagement – Public participation and community engagement should always be present and an ongoing exercise for the construction and operation of Site 3.
10. Plan for Long Term Stewardship and Maintenance – Programs at Site 3 should be planned and curated by a committee with diverse backgrounds to fulfill the different demands from their respective background and ensure the proposed programs are inclusive and suitable for as many people as possible.Central Harbourfront Site 3: Design Principles for the Public Good is available for download as a PDF.