International Design Competition

Why did we host an international design competition?

Walk DVRC wanted to envision how a car free zone will improve public spaces Des Voeux Road Central. Through a two-phase process, the jurors identified five competition finalists with a fantastic car-free zone that benefits the health and well-being of the Hong Kong community.

What did we do during the design competition?

Interest in the competition was great, with 49 submissions from around the world. The on-line, interactive exhibition highlights all five finalists’ projects to give the public a glimpse of what a pedestrian-friendly, Foot-loose and Fume-free Des Voeux Road Central could look like. Walk DVRC’s International Design Competition invited interested teams of urban planners, architects, traffic engineers, students and others around the world to submit their ideas for a more walkable, pedestrian environment on the 1.4 km stretch of Des Voeux Road Central – from Pedder Street to Western Market — in the heart of Hong Kong’s decaying Central Business District.

MLA 1 MLA 2 MLA 3 MLA 4

MLA+, Mobility in Chain, dmau, (Netherlands) the winning team has re-envisioned and re- engaged the street as quality public space. The design aims to reclaim the generosity of the original streetscape, re-establishing the domain of the pedestrian in one of Hong Kong’s main thoroughfares. Details design of the winning team project is showcased in the exhibition.

As the judging was close, the jurors also named an Honourable Mention – PangArchitect + Burgos & Garrido Arquietectos + Hiraiwa Yoshiyuki + MVA + Vision Planning (Hong Kong). The other finalists in the competition are HASSELL Studio (Australia), MVRDV (Netherlands) and SO – IL (U.S.A).

The exhibition is now online and the public can see how the projects portray a vision for a Central Business District that values pedestrians and placemaking over cars.

How are we using these ideas?

Walk DVRC Ltd., established as an NGO in January 2017, has a vision for a more walkable and liveable Central Business District that begins with the revitalisation of a decaying Des Voeux Road Central. Walk DVRC aims to transform a key 1.4 km stretch of road — from Pedder Street to Western Market — into a dynamic public realm through a series of pedestrianisation and placemaking projects. Collected ideas will continue to drive our mission includes linking this critical transportation artery to the cultural and heritage sites that surround it — Tai Kwun, PMQ, Man Mo Temple, dried goods purveyors — and in the process, creating neighbourhoods.

It may take us another 2 decades to realize these ideas but with more focus on sustainability and Hong Kong’s pledge to get to carbon neutrality by 2050. We think our dream is getting closer.