Pedestrianized and elevated for the community? : review on how multi-layer pedestrian network changes a residential community in Hong Kong

Abstract

Elevated footbridge system has been commonly used to avoid pedestrian – vehicular conflicts within the high density context in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, the city’s transport infrastructure has been highly commended by international reports. It is important to ensure sustainable development of pedestrian facilities to maintain Hong Kong’s travel and tourism competitiveness and continue to develop within the tight land supply. Existing studies mainly focus on the design, urban form and the walkability of multi-layered pedestrian networks, but fail to look into the development of such pedestrian facility in a wider context. This study investigates how such pedestrian infrastructure has led to changes in a residential community (Tsuen Wan) through surveying and interviewing users of the facility. The background theories of developing such pedestrian facility, models explaining pedestrians’ choice, current institutional framework and development status of footbridge systems were examined. It is found that the factors affecting pedestrians’ preference and usage of over- ground versus ground- level walkways can be explained by the ‘theory of routine mode choice decisions’ and resemble existing literature findings . The footbridge network brought different impacts to ground - level store rents and businesses, depending on their proximity to the footbridge. Nearby residents benefitted from the improved accessibility and connectivity, but suffered visual intrusion. In general, the aims of building the network were reached yet the sustainability of the system can be improved with more greening, better design, clearer signage and remedy measures on the structure. It is also observed that the facility has brought changes in the retail landscape and behavioural change in shopping pattern and has developed new forms of uses and spaces in the vicinity. Recommendations to facilitate better planning of elevated footbridge system in the future include prioritising pedestrians’ needs in transport planning, ensuring greater transparency in decision making process with better coordination among different experts and incorporating more bottom – up community input in the planning and design stage.