Bringing Bridges, Subways To Life

Local artists and government landscape architects have breathed new life into flyovers and subways in the city, tapping into characteristics of various communities.

The beautification works have also led to job creations, easing the pressure on the labour market due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The subways close to Tung Chung Swimming Pool have been given a facelift since June, showcasing the beautiful and unique scenery of Lantau Island, such as Ngong Ping 360, the Big Buddha, Tung Chung Fort, Sunset Peak and Lantau Peak.

The exquisite creations belong to a group of artists who were born after 1990. They blanketed the subways with the island’s spectacular landscape. Rita Lau is one of them.

“I am a Tung Chung resident. So I know other Tung Chung residents, and their feelings and feedback,” Ms Lau said.

Local flair

The decoration not only promotes the beauty of Lantau, but also upgrades different parts of the subways with different colour schemes and images.

“When we had this project, when we painted the drawings, the landscapes on the wall, many residents gave me different feedback. It was very positive. And they gave me some support. And they said these landscape paintings are very comforting and they feel very happy to see these landscapes in Tung Chung,” Ms Lau added.

Tying in with maintenance and renovation programmes, the Highways Department has since 2017 drawn up thematic designs for walkways with high pedestrian flow.

The designs tap into characteristics of various communities to add a local flavour.

Nostalgic elements

In Kowloon City, a flyover near the Olympic Garden has been dressed up to feast the eyes of passers-by with vivid images best representing the district.

Highways Department Landscape Architect Jimmy Yuen said the design captures the building structure of Kowloon Walled City and displayed it in the column of the flyover.

In this upgrading project which started in July, the former Kai Tak Airport is another key element, he added.

“Here you can see on the ceiling, we try to capture the best scene of the landing approach of the aircraft to the Kai Tak runway.

“We have chosen a mirror-finish material to resemble the sky, to provide contrast to the aircraft,” Mr Yuen said.

Mr Yuen explained they tried to bring back the memories of the former Kai Tak Airport to the citizens of Kowloon City to add some historical meaning to this existing flyover.

Employment relief

The Highways Department has since 2017 redecorated some 50 bridges and subways.

This year, renovation and beautification works for about 200 highway structures and about 10,000 lamp posts are being carried out, bringing about 300 temporary jobs.

The department will continue to dress up highway structures in tandem with their maintenance and renovation.