Hoi Bun Road used to be an ordinary road abutting on a public cargo working area dissecting the Kwun Tong waterfront. It has turned into a leisure hotspot for both locals and visitors.
The "metamorphosis" is geared by the steadfast efforts of town planners in collaboration with other professionals and community counterparts under the "Energizing Kowloon East (EKE) initiative". "Energizing Hoi Bun Road" has been one of the key tasks under the EKE Conceptual Master Plan (CMP) since 2012 and guided by EKE's CBD2 Strategy, viz. "Connectivity", "Branding", "Design" and "Diversity". Through iterative public engagement processes, dedicated planning and urban design inputs, and continuous enhancement works, a new face of Hoi Bun Road has been unveiled.
On planning and urban design, we have adopted a place-making approach to energize Hoi Bun Road and its vicinity. Various grey infrastructures such as the dry weather flow interceptors, pumping station, and refuse collection point along Hoi Bun Road have been given a facelift with attractive urban and landscape design, harmonizing with the waterfront environment. Pedestrian connectivity and the walking environment have also been enhanced. We have proactively undertaken public realm enhancement works and providing more green spaces.
Hoi Bun Road Park, with an area of about 9,300 square metres, was originally built in 1990 mainly to serve the working population in the area. With the transformation of Kowloon East into another Core Business District, the Park has been renovated to meet the changing needs of the public.
The improved Hoi Bun Road Park comprises landscaped areas with multi-purpose lawns, a refurbished five-a-side soccer pitch, an elderly fitness corner, sitting-out areas, pavilions and shelters, as well as ancillary facilities. A lighting system featuring starry sky is installed on the shelter of the multi-purpose area inundated with chirping of cicadas. In the evening, interactive sensors integrated with the starry light spots allow visitors to activate patterns of the twelve constellations. The main passageway of the Park towards Kwun Tong Promenade is paved with tree shadow lighting effect to create multi-sensory experience for visitors. The Park was reopened to the public in August 2021 and contributes to a renewed Kwun Tong waterfront.
The "Fly the Flyover Operation" forms an integral part of "Energizing Hoi Bun Road". We have initiated land use restructuring, turning sterile spaces beneath Kwun Tong Bypass into popular arts and cultural venues for public enjoyment to complement the attractive waterfront promenade. The three venues beneath the bypass add vibrancy by bringing in more diversified activities and events.