The Dynamic Waterfront The meandering coastaline of the Victoria Harbour is always the characteristic of Hong Kong. Nevertheless, heavy traffic problems are being generated at the Central business district by rapid urban sprawl and urban consolidation. Hence Central Reclamation (Phase 3) is needed to provide land for Central-Wan Chai Bypass and Island Eastern Corridor Link. As the chairman of the Society for Protection of the Harbour, Christine Loh, said that the harbour "...is a precious national asset and we must preserve it for future generations." The theme of our proposed design is “the Dynamic Waterfront” and is based on the characteristics of waves, water, harbour and sea. Although the phase 3 land reclamation project reduces the size of our Victoria Harbour, “the New Dynamic Waterfront” envisions and employs the quality of waves and ripples and they will be morphed into the pattern of the new waterfront. The design will greatly strengthen the experiences of the users at the harbour and will give the harbour a strong and unique sense of place, that is “Drawing the water back to the community and encourage interactions between the public and the harbour”. Public Access Our waterfront aims at inviting the communites as much as possible. Another key concept is to ensure pedestrian traffic flows freely, up to and around the waterfront. Our proposed waterfront achieves this by providing at least 30-meter-wide waterfront promenades around the water. The waterfront has to have the public, and the public does not want a privatized waterfront. By setting buildings back to at least 30 meters, the Victoria Harbour will encourage incredible public use. State of the Art Our waterfront exhibits a great attention to detail all the way down to the paving, handrails, bollards and the conversion of neighbouring heritage concrete buildings into vibrant heritage eco-buildings. Our design has considered and planned everything down to the garbage bins and stormwater grates and they are being treated as pieces of artworks. The most important is, these artworks are being designed together by the community, to reinforce the idea of interaction between the public and the waterfront. Sustainable Development Strategies While works of arts by community may become the Victoria Harbour landmarks, another area in which it will draw world attention is in its implementation of ecologically sustainable development (ESD) standards. High standards of water sensitive urban design strategies, environmental sustainable design principles and native flora, are being employed to ensure high levels of air and water quality and to create a new habitat for all organisims. A Diverse Community Our design is specially designed for all users. The facilities and activities are mixed-use and multifuntional. All age groups, genders, religious backgrounds and nations will enjoy this new dynamic waterfront together. It will become a 24/7 hub of activity. It's all about intimacy, community and atmosphere. It's where the retail meets entertainment, where people can live, work and play. Evolution of People and Place The new waterfront will evolve as the Hong Kong community, workers and tourists use it. It morphs as the city envelops it. It connects its people to the place. It has to offer different things to those who will use there, those who work around there, and those just wandering along the waterfront because they anticipate "something will be happening".