A GATEWAY CITY AT SHENZHEN BAY

With the development of the Greater Bay Area, collaborating with other cities in the region could give the New Territories North (NTN) an opportunity to transform into a gateway area.

This project explores the future potential of the waterfront area near Tin Shui Wai to be transformed into a multi-modal transport interchange and coastal city. The core element is a new MTR station as part of a new line linking of the two metrio systems. The updated waterfront area connects the ferry terminal, waterfront open space, light rail through a series of oversized open spaces, creating a new public forum for meetings and mixing between different groups of people.

This project envisions a mixture of live, work, recreation and entertainment functions within close proximity to each other, to promote cycling, walking, social interaction and community engagement.

A study of the areas surrounding Shenzhen Bay highlights the wold-class urban centres, commercial activities and urban intensity of Shenzhen as the ‘Silicon Valley’ of China. A new MTR line linking the metro transport systems of Hong Kong and Shenzhen would offer seamless travel between a global financial and a leading technology centre.

The main axis of the new gateway area contains multi-level public spaces, including the underground MTR station zone which is integrated within the public open spaces and surrounding functions. Elevated pedestrian decks muliply the ground and culminate in the ferry terminal.

The coastal New Town model has public open space at its core, using a large landscaped urban plaza to connect the inner urban core to the waterfront spaces.

A central element of the design is a ‘highline-style’ pedestrian system that links to roof gardens, transport nodes and to the waterfront. Commercial and hospitality programs activate the terraces at various levels.

The sky corridors connect different buildings that open to the ground and connect directly to the light rail station. Waterfront green spaces not only provide rich activity spaces, but also introduce greenery and landscaping to improve the local atmosphere and micro-climate.

The TOD station node features a combination of light rail, roads, bike paths and sidewalkds. Higher level platforms connect to roof gardens and building interiors.

The corridor at the intersection of urban axes opens the view to the water, and connects to a balcony in front of the buildings on two sides. It provides a new meeting place with complementary programs to promote social interaction, in close proximity to an efficient vertical transport interchange.