Article by Damian Holmes, Founder & Editor of World Landscape Architecture.
FIELD NOTES is an editorial series that seeks to recount firsthand experiences of a landscape, offering insights into its design, details, movement, and people.
The East Coast Park and East Coast Boardwalk hug the waterfront of North Point, Hong Kong. A project I wanted to visit in Hong Kong, as the island waterfront is often underutilised and utilitarian in design and East Coast Boardwalk promised to create a shared space for everyone.
Taking advantage of the warm Sunday afternoon, I set out to explore this waterfront landscape. Walking along Watson Road, I began to catch glimpses of the waterfront park beneath the Island Eastern Corridor expressway, with directional signage on the footpath indicating I knew I was heading in the right direction.
After walking through the park’s portal gate, I come to a wide, open expanse of concrete with pergolas and shade structures. Deciding to go to the water’s edge for a clearer view of the Tsim Sha Tsui skyline across Victoria Harbour. Walking past the playground to the water’s edge, I saw many locals and visitors enjoying the sun on oversized lounges.
Turning back to the water, I ventured out to the large sculptural form at the end of the breakwater, finding out later that it was the vent shaft for the Central–Wan Chai Bypass (tunnel) East Vent Shaft.
Standing at the end of the breakwater and looking back, it struck me that the landscape was vast, with few trees. I thought it may have been due to underground services (tunnel) or that it was an exposed waterfront in a typhoon-prone city. The East Coast Park, completed in 2021, is being well-utilised by locals and tourists, and it is holding up well.
Moving back through the space, I wanted to see the recently finished (January 2025) Western Section of the East Coast Boardwalk. Walking past the under-construction section onto the new section, which splits into an upper and lower shared paths. The upper section is for shared pathway finished in concrete with super graphics is for cycling, jogging and fast walking. While the lower section with timber style (ceramic) paving is appears to be walking, fishing, and resting. The terrace seating, arranged in varying heights, is oriented towards the water, providing a place to reflect as well as sit together as a group. The glass balustrading offers views of the water and is topped with a wide rail that allows people to rest, including placing their drinks in holders.
The two pathways continue under the Island Eastern Corridor, and you enter a series of “waves” with the first section known as Sun Wave. The path is divided into two sections, with the lower section featuring a series of tables and benches set against brown, timber-like ceramic paving. The benches are positioned to face the water and feature wireless phone charging ports on both the seats and tables. The upper path features a concrete finish with supergraphics that show movement and turns.
Whilst moving along the path, you look up to see animated stencil art projected onto the expressway beams. The art features various stencils of skylines and neon signs, reflecting the cultural heritage of the surrounding area. Looking back from where you have just come, you see the curve of the path and the skyline of Central and the Two IFC Tower (César Pelli & Association Architects).
Continuing on the path, you walk past people fishing and come upon the second “wave” – Play Wave. The Play Wave is a series of play areas with mounds and undulating pavements, along with exercise equipment, allowing for all ages play and exercise. Surface and column graphics give the area a fun, playful feel with many children and adults enjoying a Sunday by the Harbour.
It was interesting to see the space used for community consultation about the planned designs for connecting the trails around Hong Kong Island. As the boardwalk is a popular destination for many who live in Hong Kong, it presents an excellent opportunity to gather feedback.
Further along the Play Wave section, accessible toilet facilities are available for all visitors. Walking out from under the expressway into the light, there is a planted terraced pathway similar to the landscape treatment at the beginning of the East Coast Boardwalk.
The upper terrace has a shade structure with large ‘Victoria Habour’ lettering that has some integrated seating. Walking further along the path, you enter the Fish Wave under the expressway, which includes a terraced plaza that allows people to feel connected to the water and utilise the custom furniture as fish pole rests.
The Gather Wave is next to Harbour North mixed-use development. The two separate paths for slow and faster movement continue through a wider, tree-planted area that includes custom seating, standing tables, and lawn areas for gathering.
The afternoon of walking and experiencing a waterfront that catered to different uses and takes advantage of the views across Victoria Harbour to the skylines of Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon and the growing Kai Tak. The separate shared paths are ideal for a city that caters to local people for recreation and many tourists who wish to dawdle along the promenade throughout the year. East Coast Boardwalk utilises the space under the expressway, creating an open space as a waterfront escape from the tall, undulating streets of Hong Kong. A design that is well thought out with a balance of shared paths, activity nodes, public art, services (toilets, event services) and wayfinding.
Design Note: A example of utilising under utilised space for a multitude of public uses (walking, running, play, art, fishing, etc). Providing a different seating types and benches provides for different age groups and users (young, older, families, friends, individuals, locals, workers, tourists, etc).
Technical Note: A great use of varied paving types to delineate uses. Could be improved with contrasting on level differences (steps and terraces) to enhance accessibility.
East Coast Park and East Coast Boardwalk (Western Section)
Location: North Point, Hong Kong
Day & Date: Sunday Afternoon, 16 March, 2025.
Weather: Overcast 20-21 Celsius (68F)
Designers
East Coast Park: Otherland for Ronald Lu & Partners
East Coast Boardwalk: LWK Partners
Images Credit: © Damian Holmes
Text Credit: Damian Holmes