Land reclamation in Hong Kong

Land reclamation (grey areas) in Hong Kong. Note that most of the urban areas (shown in pink in the map below) of Hong Kong are located on reclaimed land.

The reclamation of land from the ocean has long been used in mountainous Hong Kong to expand the limited supply of usable land in the territory. The first reclamations can be traced back to the early Western Han dynasty (206 BC – 9 AD), when beaches were turned into fields for salt production. Major land reclamation projects have been conducted since the mid-19th century.[1] By 1996, a total of approximately 60 square kilometres (37 square miles) of land had been created through the process.[2]

Projects

Bonham Strand (1842–1952)

Main article: Bonham Strand

In 1851, a fire broke out on the north side of Queen's Road Central, burning down many buildings along the coast. To clear the large amount of rubble which resulted from the fire, the Government decided to submerge it into Victoria Harbour, and reclaim the land along the shoreline to create a new road. Land reclamation works were completed in 1852, and the new road was named Bonham Strand after Sir George Bonham, 3rd Governor of Hong Kong. [3]

Praya Reclamation Scheme (1868–1904)

Main article: Praya Reclamation Scheme

Completed in two phases, this was one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken during the colonial era of Hong Kong.[4][5] The first phase (1868-73) significantly expanded the land around Praya Central, which later became today's Des Voeux Road. The second phase took 14 years to complete (1890-1904), and added an estimated 59–65 acres (24–26 ha) of land to the coastline in the Central District.

Yau Ma Tei Reclamations (1880s, 1900–1904)

The Yau Ma Tei Reclamations were also carried out in two phases. The first phase commenced in the 1880s, and pushed the coastline from Shanghai Street to Reclamation Street. The hill near what is today Austin Road was flattened, allowing for Nathan Road to be extended through Yau Ma Tei.[6][7]

The second phase took place between 1900 and 1904, and pushed the coastline from Reclamation Street to today's Ferry Street, between Jordan Road and Mong Kok Road. Most of today's Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei west of Nathan Road was reclaimed in this way. Following completion of the works, Yau Ma Tei became Hong Kong's commercial hub, and Shanghai Street the most bustling street in the area.[8][9]

Praya East Reclamation Scheme (1921–1931)

Main article: Praya East Reclamation Scheme

Kai Tak Airport extension (1957–1974)

Main article: Kai Tak Airport § 1945 to 1970s

A section of runway, and most parking stands, were built on reclaimed land.

New towns, phases 1–3 (1973–1996)

Main article: New towns of Hong Kong § New towns

The new towns, such as Tuen Mun, Tai Po, Sha Tin, Ma On Shan, West Kowloon, Kwun Tong and Tseung Kwan O, were largely built on reclaimed land. They were built in three phases over the course of four decades.

New International Airport construction (1991–1998)

Main article: Hong Kong International Airport § History

Chek Lap Kok International airport was built on two islands, and was opened in 1998. Land was reclaimed to build a third runway, and to extend the current Terminal 2.

Central and Wan Chai projects (1993–2018)

Main article: Central and Wan Chai Reclamation

Several land reclamation projects commenced in and around Victoria Harbour during this time. This includes transportation improvements such as the Hong Kong MTR station, Airport Express railway, and the Central-Wanchai Bypass, as well as public recreation spaces such as the Central Harbourfront Event Space, Tamar Park, and the Hong Kong Observation Wheel.

Disneyland construction (2003–2005)

Main article: Hong Kong Disneyland Resort § Construction

Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (2009–2018)

Main article: Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macau Bridge § Construction

The project involved the creation of four artificial islands, including one in Hong Kong.

Tung Chung New Town Extension (2017–2025)

Main article: Tung Chung § Housing

Currently under construction, it is an eastern expansion of Tung Chung on the north shore of Lantau Island.[10]

Hong Kong International Airport Third Runway (2016–2024)

Main article: Hong Kong International Airport Master Plan 2030

The third runway, and the extension of Terminal 2, in Hong Kong International Airport is built on reclaimed land.[11]

Lantau Tomorrow Vision (planned)

Main article: Lantau Tomorrow Vision

In October 2018, a development project was announced with the intention of creating 1,700 hectares (4,200 acres) of land in the form of new islands off the east coast of Lantau, to house an estimated 1.1 million people. The project is expected to cost HK$500 billion.[12][13]

Issues

Much reclamation has taken place in prime locations on the waterfront on both sides of Victoria Harbour. This has raised issues concerning the protection of the harbour – which was once the source of Hong Kong's prosperity – traffic congestion in the Central district,[14] as well as the collusion of the Hong Kong Government with real estate developers in the territory.[15][16]

Environmental legislation

Hong Kong legislators passed the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance in 1996 in an effort to safeguard the increasingly threatened Victoria Harbour against encroaching land development.[17] In a judicial review in January 2004, the Court of Final Appeal stipulated an "overriding public need" test which the government must adhere to in order to carry out further land reclamation projects in Victoria Harbour.[18]

See also

References

  1. ^ EIA: A survey report of Historical Buildings and Structures within the Project Area of the Central Reclamation Phase III Archived 20 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Chan Sui San Peter for the HK Government, February 2001
  2. ^ Reclamation and Development in Hong Kong (map) Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine, HK Government
  3. ^ "「香港百年蛻變之移山填海」先導講座系列 探索有趣的填海歷史故事". 9 December 2018.
  4. ^ Bard, Solomon (2002). Voices from the past: Hong Kong, 1842–1918. Hong Kong University Press. ISBN 978-962-209-574-8.
  5. ^ Wordie, Jason (18 April 1999). "Land-grabbing titans who changed HK's profit for good". Hong Kong Standard. Archived from the original on 22 May 2011. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
  6. ^ Old Image of Yau Ma Tei Typhoon Shelter [1] Nov 26, 2024
  7. ^ 「香港百年蛻變之移山填海」先導講座系列-探索 [2] Nov 26, 2024
  8. ^ 油麻地「有寶」 等大家發掘 (in Chinese) [3], Nov 26, 2024
  9. ^ 鄭寶鴻,佟寶銘; Cheng, Bo Hung; Tong, Bo Ming (2000). 九龍街道百年 (in Chinese). Sam Luen Book Store 三聯書店有限公司. ISBN 9789620432385.
  10. ^ Hong Kong Government Press Release. "CEDD signs contract for Tung Chung New Town Extension - Reclamation and Advance works", January 10, 2018
  11. ^ "Project Timeline - Three Runway System - Hong Kong International Airport".
  12. ^ Zhao, Shirley (19 November 2018). "Is Hong Kong ready to splash HK$500 billion (or more) on Lantau Tomorrow Vision reclamation?". South China Morning Post.
  13. ^ Zhao, Shirley; Sum, Lok-kei (21 October 2018). "Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam bulldozes ahead with Lantau Island reclamation idea...but at what cost?". South China Morning Post.
  14. ^ "Courts protect our imperiled waterway – at least for the time being". Hong Kong Standard. 14 August 2006. Archived from the original on 19 October 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2007.
  15. ^ DeGolyer, Michael (15 March 2007). "Commentary: Just Looking for Answers". Hong Kong Standard. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2007.
  16. ^ Ng, Michael (5 October 2006). "Lawmaker warns of West Kowloon arts venue glut". Hong Kong Standard. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2007.
  17. ^ Wallis, Keith (12 February 1996). "Bill seeks to protect harbour". Hong Kong Standard. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 23 March 2007.
  18. ^ "Government committed to harbour protection". www.info.gov.hk. Retrieved 28 March 2021.
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