Fostering Mobility in a Compact City – Hong Kong’s Experience

Professor Anthony B.L. CheungSecretary for Transport and

HousingHong Kong, China

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Hong Kong – Some basic facts

Population: 7.3 million

Landscape: Hilly and mountainous

with steep slopes

Densely populated and highly compact

Congested traffic

Our strategy – Promoting public transport

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Public Transport-based Policy 90% of community uses public

transport to commute 12 million passenger trips per

day

Public Transport includes railway, buses, public light buses, taxis, trams and ferries

Hong Kong Public Transport ranked 1st out of 84 cities (Arthur D Little’s Urban Mobility Index)

Our strategy – Promoting public transport

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Public transport strategy: Railway as backbone

By 2031, railway will cover: 75% of residential areas 85% of employment

opportunities

Franchised buses providing feeder services to the railway network “Railway as backbone”

strategy

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Complementary role of “walking”

Hong Kong’s walking pattern- 30% made at least one walk-only

trip on weekdays Over 70% walked to access a

transport mode and to reach destination after alighting from vehicle

Relying on Public Transport

Diversity in our mobility system to cater for different travel needs

Walking and cycling as a mode of short-distance commuting

Walking initiatives in Hong Kong

1. Elevated Walkway System2. Hillside Escalator System3. Universal Accessibility

Programme4. Covered Walkway5. Pedestrianisation Scheme

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Elevated Walkway System

Connectivity of skywalks between office buildings, residential complex and shopping malls

Avoid walking on the roadside which filled with vehicular emissions

Pedestrians can access different facilities through footbridges

Extensive walkway system in Central

Footbridges in Tsuen Wan – a local community

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Hillside Escalator System

Densely populated districts situated in hilly places

Hillside escalator links and elevator systems serve to ensuring smooth mobility of citizens

Emerging of restaurants, bars and moderns shops next to hillside escalator system

“Central-Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System” Running through narrow streets up-hill and all the way reaching the mid-level residential areas.

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Universal Accessibility Programme

Installation of barrier-free facilities at public walkways

Barrier-free living environment in public housing estates to facilitate people with diverse mobility needs

Before

After

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Covered Walkway

Pedestrian walkways connecting to major public transport interchanges are equipped with covers

To facilitate the use of public transport and the ease of switching between modes in the transportation interchange

Covered walkway along our harbourfront

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Pedestrianisation Scheme

Giving road-use priority to pedestrians, yet having due regard to the right of other road users

Full-time pedestrian precinct zone

Part-time Pedestrian Street

Footpaths widening works

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Promotion of Cycling

Cycling as green commuting in New Towns and New Development Areas

Putting in place a trunk cycle track network of over 80 km

Improving existing cycling tracks and facilities

Promoting the importance of cycling safety through publicity and education

Challenges ahead• While doing more to facilitate walkability and

promoting non-mechanised transport means, we cannot lose sight of the need to extend our public transport system.

• Public Transportation Plus• Public Transport complemented by walkability

and cycling-friendly measures

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Public to change habit?

Competing use of limited road space between motorists, pedestrians and cyclists

Need to handle public request for not changing commuting habits and patterns

Opposing public opinions

Bus route rationalisation scheme

Pedestrianisation projects

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Way Ahead

• Mindset change in the community

• Reflecting on city life

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Thank you