Harbourfront study: Secretary for Development Carrie Lam tours the public exhibition of the new Central harbourfront study at the Heritage Discovery Centre.

The Planning Department has launched the Stage 2 Public Engagement for the New Central Harbourfront Urban Design Study to seek views on the concepts for the re-assembly of Queen's Pier and reconstruction of the old Star Ferry Clock Tower.

The department today said the urban design framework for the new Central harbourfront has been refined after considering views collected in the first stage public engagement exercise. Different design concepts for the eight key sites have been prepared. For details click here.

On the re-assembly of Queen's Pier, alternative concepts have been prepared for the stage two public engagement. The first concept is to re-assemble Queen's Pier at the harbourfront between Central Piers No.9 and 10 and to revive the public pier function. The second concept is to re-assemble Queen's Pier at its original location.

For the clock tower the first concept is to reconstruct it as a focal point on the harbourfront with an axial relationship with City Hall and the re-assembled Queen's Pier by the harbour. The second concept is to reconstruct the clock tower close to the original location. A clock tower gallery to exhibit the salvaged items is proposed under both concepts.

The design concepts are not exhaustive, the department said, adding alternative concepts can be mixed.

Workshops, forums

The stage two engagement will last until July 10. A public exhibition will be held at the Heritage Discovery Centre in Kowloon Park until May 25, and then at the Queensway Government Offices from May 27 to July 10. Roving exhibitions will be held in different parts of Hong Kong throughout the period.

Workshops, forums, consultation sessions and briefings will also be arranged. Public views will be collected through different channels including comment cards, interview questionnaires and telephone polls.

Towards the end of the exercise a concluding forum will be held to consolidate public views and strive for consensus before finalising the study proposals and recommendations. The department expects to complete the study by the end of this year.