Treating the Symptoms - A Critical Review of ... - Civic Exchange

Box 6The Counterproductive Pursuitof EfficiencyOne major example of seeking efficiency at the expense of vibrancy was at The Zenith, wherethe URA’s redevelopment brought more traffic to the surrounding narrow streets. In the 1990s,before construction began, the Transport Department and the LDC intended to relocate theentire outdoor market on Tai Yuen Street and Cross Street to the new indoor wet market tobe provided in the podium of The Zenith. This would open those streets up to traffic in orderto accommodate the increased number of vehicles brought by the redevelopment. Replacingtwo popular pedestrianized streets with vehicular corridors would have been the antithesis ofenvironmentally-friendly transportation.88Objections by district councillors and stall holders from 2005 onwards persuaded thegovernment to scale down, and then abandon the relocation plans altogether. Districtcouncillors and community activists wanted to maintain the character of the existing market,which is over 70 years old, while hawkers feared the loss of business and much higher rentsonce relocated indoors. The URA and Development Bureau are now planning to beautify theoutdoor market and provide electrical outlets for stalls as part of a district heritage scheme.Sources: LegCo Panel on Home Affairs — Subcommittee on Heritage Preservation; TownPlanning Board 178Tai Yuen StreetCross StreetJohnston RoadStone Nullah LaneN1990s. Completerelocation ofmarket proposed.2006. Partialrelocationproposed.2007. Wholemarket preserved.Restricted accessto Tai Yuen St.Zenith loadingbay to be used asturning circle.Tai Wo StreetCross StreetZenithSite AZenithSite BZenithSite BWanchai RoadIndoor MarketZenithSite CQueen’s Road East