Victoria Harbour is regarded as a symbol for Hong Kong and it gives the name of “Pearl of the Eastern Oriental”. However, due to the need for land to accommodate population growth and construction of transport infrastructure, harbour reclamation became a dominant strategy in meeting these demands. Fortunately, after the Protection of Harbour Ordinance passed in 1996 and judgement handed down by the Court of Final Appeal halted further reclamation on both sides of the harbour. Furthermore, demolition of Start Ferry Pier and Queen’s Pier in 2007 also unveiled the fall of conventional public engagement exercise and the underestimated public aspirations in gaining access to the harbourfront area. At the end, the CE addressed the issues in his 2008 and 2009 Policy Addresses in response to the public request in harbourfront beautification. Harbourfront regeneration projects started worldwide since early 1950s in the North America. The dissertation first reviewed theoretical concepts that are involved in planning and design issues of harbourfront regeneration. Case studies in Singapore, Vancouver and New York are examined so as to extract critical successful factors. An evaluation framework is then formulated to evaluate the selected case. Kwun Tong Promenade Stage One is selected and will be evaluated against the criteria stipulated in the evaluation framework. Through evaluating and analyzing the case, the deficiency of the planning and design of harbourfront in Hong Kong is unveiled. As a result, a set of recommendations are made to improve the planning and design of harbourfront in Hong Kong. / published_or_final_version / Urban Planning and Design / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

published_or_final_version / Urban Design / Master / Master of Urban Design

published_or_final_version / Urban Design / Master / Master of Urban Design

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture

Thesis (M. Arch.)--University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2009. / Title from title page screen (viewed on Mar. 11, 2010). Thesis advisor: Max A. Robinson. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1991.

Thesis (M.Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1991. / Also available in print.

Thesis (M.Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 1999. / Includes special report study entitled :Waterfront recreational space. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

The purpose of this thesis is to analyze the significance of waterfront redevelopment in the post-industrial city. The context for this analysis is the advent of post-industrial society - as evidenced by the economic, social and physical restructuring of cities. My objectives in undertaking this research are to gain a better understanding of planning issues in waterfront redevelopment; to examine the use of waterfront redevelopment as a policy tool for achieving community objectives; and to ascertain the broader implications of waterfront redevelopment in post-industrial society. My research is based on an extensive literature review, several interviews, and more in-depth study of selected waterfront projects. The significance of urban waterfront redevelopment is studied from three different perspectives: (i) the physical restructuring of cities in the post-industrial period; (ii) the experiences of various waterfront communities; and (iii) the case study of New Westminster, British Columbia. Waterfront redevelopment is significant in the post-industrial city as a public policy tool for achieving broader social and economic development objectives. Through the redevelopment of their waterfronts, communities have an opportunity to redress a range of social and economic issues. The social development potential is seldom realized, however, because redevelopment is primarily commercially-motivated. In theory, the urban waterfront has been reclaimed for all residents of the post-industrial city. The notion of public access and the creation of public amenities are fundamental principles of waterfront development. In practice, however, the benefits of a revitalized waterfront are not shared equally. As the waterfront profiles demonstrate, the nature of the waterfront land-use mix is generally biased towards high-end commercial development and luxury housing. The nature and form of new waterfront developments raises questions about elitism and equity in the post-industrial city. If some level of economic integration is not achieved, the waterfront will not have been reclaimed for all residents of the post-industrial city, but, rather - for the post-industrial urban elite. / Applied Science, Faculty of / Community and Regional Planning (SCARP), School of / Graduate