2.3 Unleashing Creativity in Open Space
The Concept of “Harbourfront Shared Space”

While the Development Bureau and the Harbourfront Commission are committed to connecting both sides of the Victoria Harbourfront, they also strive to make it more vibrant and diverse through flexible and facilitative support. In recent years, they have been more actively exploring innovative management models to establish a new brand of “Harbourfront Shared Space”, enhancing visitors’ experiences with a focus on both “quality” and “quantity”.

Six “Harbourfront Shared Space” sites

  1. Belcher Bay Promenade, Kennedy Town
  2. HarbourChill, Wan Chai
  3. Water Sports and Recreation Precinct, Wan Chai
  4. The Revitalised Typhoon Shelter Precinct, Causeway Bay
  5. East Coast Park Precinct, North Point
  6. Tsuen Wan Promenade

Unlike traditional parks, “Harbourfront Shared Space” is a public space where a more open management mode was adopted. The Commission attempts to break from existing restrictions through this “vision-driven” approach, encouraging visitors to enjoy the harbourfront in their own ways with mutual respect. In “Harbourfront Shared Space”, visitors can enjoy jogging, sitting, and even strolling with their pets and cycling. The design of “Harbourfront Shared Space” is also innovative. Unlike fixed play facilities and seating that limited usage, many featured facilities and installations in “Harbourfront Shared Space” are movable, such as cargo pallets, chairs and tables of different designs, rock chairs and play facilities. This flexibility not only allows for a personalised experience but also strengthens citizens’ sense of belonging to the waterfront.

Another feature of “Harbourfront Shared Space” is “pop-up” installations and art elements, which offer citizens fresh experiences by facilitating “unique features in every promenade section and delightful surprises everywhere”, such that citizens can find their favourite spots.

The Belcher Bay Promenade, which opened in 2020 and was well received by the public, is the first “Harbourfront Shared Space” and served as a testing ground for public acceptance of the new management mode and facilities. By adopting the “place-making” approach, where the community takes the lead in waterfront development, public spaces and facilities can be flexibly adjusted to respond to public needs by observing the popularity of various facilities, further enhancing the waterfront. The successful experience of Belcher Bay Promenade has facilitated the continuation and exploration of the implementation of the “Harbourfront Shared Space”, extending this open management mode to other suitable harbourfront sites by the Development Bureau and the Harbourfront Commission. To date, there are six “Harbourfront Shared Space” sites, each with its own theme, creating more attractive and vibrant harbourfront areas for the public.

All the “Harbourfront Shared Space” sites are pet-friendly. Visitors are welcome to bring their pets along. This image shows the Revitalised Typhoon Shelter Precinct in Causeway Bay.

Running along the Harbourfront, the Path to a Wonderful Life

In Hong Kong, “Work-Life Balance” is highly valued, and running has become one of the most popular sports. The enhanced sections of the harbourfront promenades are the perfect 24/7 training ground for runners, cultivating the habit of “running along the Harbour” among citizens. These venues have also attracted local and world-class runners to experience Hong Kong’s vibe. Over the years, the Harbourfront Commission has actively facilitated the development of Victoria Harbourfront, connecting various sections of waterfronts, enhancing ancillary facilities and creating promenades with different features and that are welcomed by runners. In this chapter, we have invited professional running coach Ms Inez Leong, and Mr Andrew Wong, founder of the “Wazup Running Club”, along with the Club’s team leader Ms Joyce Wong, to share how they have witnessed the development of Victoria Harbour in their running journeys .

“It’s great that the harbourfront sections are connected one after another!”

Inez Leong is a professional running coach, runner, actress, and model who found her passion for running through her work and has gradually transformed her life through her dedication to the sport. Since 2015, Inez has competed in various local and international races, and now trains along the harbourfront two to three days a week. She has witnessed the ongoing construction and changes in the Western District’s harbourfront first-hand. “A few years ago, if we started running from Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park, we couldn’t run all the way to Wan Chai Ferry Pier. But in recent years, with the ongoing connection of the waterfront, we can now run to Kennedy Town in the west, or jog to East Coast Park in the east from Wan Chai Ferry Pier. It’s truly amazing!” Thanks to the support and promotion of the Harbourfront Commission, the pedestrian boardwalk in the Eastern Corridor will be completed between late 2024 and late 2025. Once finished, the Victoria Harbourfront on Hong Kong Island will be seamlessly connected from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan, giving runners uninterrupted access to enjoy this sport.

“Running along the harbourfront has become a trend in Hong Kong”

The number of people running by the harbourfront has surged thanks to the opening of multiple harbourfront areas in recent years. Inez, who promotes running actively, says that one of her happiest moments is seeing runners practising along the harbourfront in the mornings and evenings. She says, “Running along the harbourfront has become a trend in Hong Kong.” Professional runners also have specific needs for the condition of the running track and supporting facilities. “When I run, I focus on my posture, speed, and cadence. The enhanced harbourfront promenades are wider, allowing runners to concentrate better, thus enhancing their techniques.” Harbourfront enhancement works taken forward by the Harbourfront Commission and the provision of amenities such as drinking fountains and changing rooms have better ensured the safety of runners and quality of training.

“I grew up with the harbourfront.”

Like many Hong Kongers, Inez has strong emotional ties with Victoria Harbour. “I truly grew up by the harbourfront. My family would often say, ‘Let’s go for a walk by the seaside.” As a mother of two and a pet owner, Inez enjoys taking her parents and daughters to the harbourfront on weekends. “Going for a run by the harbourfront is also how my husband Tony and I spend quality time together! Sometimes, we may feel overwhelmed by life, but my mood is instantly lifted after a run by the harbourfront.” The harbourfront, as an integral part of people’s lives, has witnessed not only Inez’s personal growth and changes, but also those of many other Hong Kongers.

Information about Harbourfront Friends

Actress, Host, Model and Professional Fitness/Running Coach

梁諾妍 女士

Ms Inez LEONG

Actress, Host, Model and Professional Fitness/Running Coach, Founder of Fitnez Studio.

Inez first participated in a half marathon in 2015, then ran her first marathon in Tokyo in 2016, and completed the Hong Kong Standard Chartered Marathon in 2023, along with the Disney 3K Fun Run and the Karuizawa Half Marathon in Japan. Inez has about 10 years of running experience.

Information about Harbourfront Friends

Founder of “Wazup Running Club”

黃緯賢 先生

Mr Andrew WONG

Andrew loves running and is a finisher of the world’s six major marathons. He founded the “Wazup Running Club” in 2020, providing a platform for friends who enjoy or are interested in starting running. He hosts the “URBAN RUN” event every Wednesday at the Central Harbourfront.

Team Leader, “Wazup Running Club”

黃頌棋 女士

Ms Joyce WONG

Joyce started running to lose weight and joined the running club to train with other runners. In 2022, she ran her first marathon in Kyoto. She is now the team leader of the “Wazup Running Club”.

Every Wednesday, the “URBAN RUN” team would gather running enthusiasts at the Central Harbourfront, where they can enjoy the pleasure of running. (Photo source: “URBAN RUN”)

URBAN RUN under the Hong Kong Observation Wheel

On the other hand, Andrew, a running enthusiast, founded the “Wazup Running Club” in 2019. With the relaxation of the pandemic restrictions, he organised runs with running friends he had known for years but never met in person. “At the time, I just wanted to find an outdoor and open space, so our first club event was held at the Hong Kong Observation Wheel along Central Harbourfront. Since then, the club has been hosting ‘URBAN RUN’ every Wednesday at the Central Harbourfront.” Now, Andrew has opened a café in Sheung Wan, which has become a gathering spot for running friends.

“Diverse running routes along the harbourfront.”

The running club offers diverse running routes for runners of all skill levels. “The distances of the running routes along the harbourfront range from 2-3 km to 10 km. For a short route, you can run from the Hong Kong Observation Wheel in Central to the Golden Bauhinia Square and then back, about 3 km. The wide path is ideal for beginners. If you are looking for a longer challenge, you can extend the route all the way to Causeway Bay near the entrance of the Cross Harbour Tunnel.” says the team leader of the running club, Joyce, noting that beginners are most afraid of being exhausted or bored. “The Hong Kong Observation Wheel route is the best because various activities like carnivals and concerts are frequently held along the route, making it vibrant.”

“Looking forward to a full marathon route along the harbourfront.”

As marathon regulars, both Andrew and Joyce have unforgettable experiences running marathons along Hong Kong’s harbourfront. “For the Standard Chartered Marathon, the last 10 km were the most lively and interesting, especially when we ran through the Causeway Bay Harbourfront, where crowds were cheering on us”, said Joyce with a grin. “I really hope Hong Kong can plan a full marathon route along the harbourfront—one that’s easily accessible and iconic. Running along the Victoria Harbour to South Bay and Repulse Bay, you can go from a concrete jungle to a green forest in just 10 to 15 minutes. Each section is unique!” Andrew and Joyce’s hopes align with the Harbourfront Commission’s vision of creating “unique features in each promenade section” in recent years. The varied, diverse, and local scenery along Victoria Harbourfront deserves credit.