published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

A precious resource and public asset, the urban waterfront is crucial to shaping the city image. It also contributes to quality of life of the city’s inhabitants and visitors. However, many waterfront landscapes are only superficially pleasant; some of these lack other significant qualities needed by the public. Designers and end-users may have different notions on waterfront qualities, and communication gaps possibly exist between the two groups. Designers might formulate objectives and ideas on waterfront qualities without adequately understanding the true needs and preferences of users, which encompass aspects deeper than merely visual features. This means that perceptions on certain “latent” waterfront attributes need to be studied. The designers should create more human-oriented waterfront landscapes by gaining a better understanding of real user needs. Public perceptions regarding waterfront landscape and the key aspects associated with those perceptions should be studied. Therefore, the main objective of the present research is to explore an alternative approach to waterfront design through the eyes of users. Tianjin Haihe riverfront was selected for a case study, which consisted of two stages. First, a contextual study included a historical review of the interactive relationship between the city and river. The major forces driving recent redevelopments, including economic, social, environmental, and cultural ones, were identified. Then, the comprehensive master plan and major achievements were critically reviewed. Second, a field study was conducted on October 2009, during which four important aspects of the urban waterfront were specifically examined. These aspects were access, use, comfort, and image. First-hand empirical data were collected using a combined approach involving observation, attitude survey, cognitive mapping, and photo simulation. In all, 110 on-site and 60 off-site completed questionnaires were obtained. Data were analysed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. In general, majority of the respondents were satisfied with the updated waterfront environment. Significant changes were perceived and appreciated. However, the current landscape is not yet ideal. The riverfront is more accessible but lacks vitality: it is simply a “passing by” space rather than a vibrant destination. Successful features (and unsuccessful issues), related to the four key aspects of access, use, comfort, and image were addressed. Correlations between certain design features and emotional reactions were explored. Fiver factors concerning visual perceptions of waterfront landscape were explored: preference, complexity, style, greenery, and openness. Patterns of perceptions among three groups of observers (i.e., local non-professionals, local professionals, and non-local professionals) were found, based on their familiarity with the site and professional background. Local non-professionals seemed more generous in their perceptions. A tendency to over-praise the waterfront settings was apparent. However, they were not as sensitive to aesthetic issues. Non-locals professionals seemed more critical, perhaps leading them to underestimate the waterfront landscape. With the resultant patterns of perception regarding the waterfront landscape, the present study can help obtain a better understanding of the gap between professionals and the general public. Hence, the means to narrow this gap may be found. The special context of Tianjin provides a relevant reference for other mainland Chinese waterfront cities. The methodology provides a flexible framework as well as useful techniques which can further develop research in other fields. Moreover, waterfront design criteria were developed in this work. Recommendations and potential issues related to current and future urban waterfront design were also discussed. / published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Philosophy

As the attention for public open spaces is growing as time goes by, the deficiency for the planning of such open spaces under existing planning system is progressively realized. Connectivity is one of the main concerns affecting the popularity of a public open space. No matter how attractive the programme elements are, they will be appreciated only when they are reachable. The missing linkage problem is commonly discovered in cities, due to the rapid development of blemished urbanization. In Hong Kong, a city which is famous for its harbour, is now having a big project working in progress. The establishment of Wan Chai Central Bypass has granted additional pieces of land along the shoreline and favours the development of a 6 km waterfront promenade along the shoreline from Central to North Point. In the proposal drafted by government, facilitation of pedestrian with new passages is suggested. In view of the existing linkage between the waterfront and the inner hub, the need to bond the resulting remnants of immature urbanization is definitely a must. The site selected is located near the proposed waterfront promenade and detached from the hub, where good connection is required. Designed as a public space not just a crossing, this project forms a sinuous curve, uniting north and south of the community, refocusing the vibrant waterfront and the prosperous Causeway Bay as the city’s prime natural asset. / published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Landscape Architecture

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Landscape Architecture

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Landscape Architecture

published_or_final_version / Urban Design / Master / Master of Urban Design

Thesis (M.Arch.)--University of Hong Kong, 1996. / Includes special report study entitled : Building technology for a new prototype. Includes bibliographical references. Also available in print.

Thesis (M.S.)--Washington State University, 2002. / Title from PDF title page (viewed May 26, 2005). Includes bibliographical references (p. 116-118).

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Master / Master of Architecture

This thesis attempts to grasp the creation of an image of a city, taking the case of waterfront cities where the presence of water becomes a sense of place. A phenomenological method was employed for investigating actual waterfront cities: Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco. Although a single method has yet to be established for studying a sense of place, phenomenology was adopted because it deals with the relationship between an environment and the experience of that environment. This thesis found some common qualities between these cities in their forms. These qualities seem to have a certain relationship to the creation of the images of these waterfront cities. This study also brought up the question of how to evaluate personal experiences phenomenologically. They are related to the basis of this thesis. This shows us the difficulty of practicing the phenomenology and the profundity of studying an image of a city. At the same time, it is a step for further study. / Master of Landscape Architecture