Central-Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System
中環至半山自動扶手電梯
1993, Streetscapes, Landscapes & Infrastructural Facilities 街貌、景觀及基礎建設
Central to Mid-levels
香港中環至半山區
Where there is a problem, there is a solution. Central-Mid-Levels Escalator and Walkway System began operation in 1993. It was tasked to mitigate the congestion on the roads in Mid-Levels, by encouraging residents to take the escalator and walkway system for travelling to and from Central instead of in automobiles. Today it is more than a system for transportation but also an architecture for urban city revitalisation. The 800-meter system connects Central Market and Conduit Road in Mid-Levels. The system operates in varied directions during different times of the day. It runs one-way downhill from 6:00a.m. to 10:00a.m. and then uphill the rest of the day. It is an excellent urban design that connects different parts of the city, mobilising people’s daily life along the system. In merely 20 minutes, you are on a pleasant journey and experience of the cross-section profile of Hong Kong – from the harbour to Mid-Levels, from commercial district to residential area. Whenever visitors come to Hong Kong, one will take them to this enjoyable ride that echoes Hong Kong’s vitality which can never be contained by crowded space.
因為有問題的出現，人才會動腦尋找解決的方法。跳出框框的思考，會帶來精彩的創意。中環至半山自動扶手電梯系統是在 1993 年啟用，原意是為了紓緩半山區狹窄道路繁忙的交通，鼓勵半山居民以扶手電梯往返中環。現在，它不但只是一個交通通道，亦起了活化城市的功用。扶梯系統長 800 米，起點為中環街市至半山的干德道。這系統更以時間分別流向，早上由6至10時為由山上向下，其餘由下而上。其實，它是一個精彩的城市設計，就好像是打通了城市的經脈，把周圍經過的地方帶動生命力。在短短的20分鐘內，你可以穿過城市的橫切面，由海至半山，由商業區到達住宅區，途中還可以好好的享受箇中旅程。每次我有外國朋友到港，我必帶他們上這扶手電梯，因為它真的好有香港特色：狹縫裡的生命力！
文：陳翠兒 (香港註冊建築師)
攝影：李培基 (香港註冊建築師)
http://www.etnet.com.hk/www/tc/diva/art_hkac_detail.php?id=29107&page=2
