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Urban planning
OpinionComment
Gary Lai
Gary Lai

Opinion | New York shows how Hong Kong can embrace car-free, pedestrian-friendly streets and not hurt businesses

  • Public-private partnerships could play an important role in making Hong Kong more pedestrian-friendly
  • Such collaboration between businesses and the government could lessen the economic burden of pedestrian schemes while driving more foot traffic to tourist destinations.

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A traffic sign stating all vehicles are prohibited except permitted ones is seen on the last day of the pedestrian zone at Sai Yeung Choi Street South, in Mong Kok, on July 29, 2018. Hong Kong’s track record with car-free streets is mixed, with several schemes being abandoned over various complaints. Photo: Dickson Lee
Gary Lai
If New York is any indication, car-free streets could be set for a revival in Hong Kong. In both cities, blocks and roads have been reconfigured to accommodate pedestrians and lessen the traffic load.
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There are full-time, pedestrian-only streets or plazas, and part-time pedestrian streets that keep out cars at certain times – known as “open streets” in New York. There are also traffic-calming streets that have lower speed limits and share road space between people, bicycles and cars.

It seems that creating pedestrian-friendly urban spaces has hit new heights after the high-profile makeover of Times Square. New York’s strategy for transforming the main street of Manhattan – the Broadway Vision – has ambitions stretching from Union Square to Columbus Circle.

Initially, the city will convert 25th Street to 27th Street into plazas and 27th Street to 29th Street into shared-use blocks. There will be bike lanes installed for all sections and dining areas in the plaza blocks.

Judging from New Yorkers’ reception, other cities appear to be optimistic that car-free public spaces will reduce traffic accidents and promote a cleaner environment. In the first eight years at New York’s Times Square plaza, pedestrian injuries decreased by 40 per cent and car accidents by 15 per cent.

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Hong Kong’s pedestrianization schemes date back to 2000. If new pedestrian-friendly streets are planned for the city, universities seem like a natural location. In New York, one recently completed plaza is at the City University’s Baruch College, on East 25th Street. The Clivner=Field Plaza was first proposed as a solution to the lack of outdoor space and is now adjacent to Madison Square Park.
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