White rock point. That’s what Pak Shek Kok means. Picture this: two creeks carving paths through the land. They flowed into Tai Po Hoi creating a gentle curve a convex shore. This is Pak Shek Kok before reclamation.
Pak Shek Kok sits nestled between Ma Liu Shui and Tai Po Kau. Cheung Shue Tan is nearby. Tolo Harbour the Tai Po Hoi stretches before it. The name Pak Shek Kok hints at its past. Pak Shek meaning white rock. Perhaps a prominent feature. Unfortunately there’s little documentation.
The Kowloon-Canton Railway Tolo Highway and the Hong Kong Science Park all stand on reclaimed land. This land was once the estuary of those creeks. The creeks themselves are now redirected through drainage systems. The transformation is vast.
In the 1920s a War Office map didn’t even show Pak Shek Kok. By 1967 it was marked. This shows how the area changed over time. Significant development occurred later. In 1998 planning for Pak Shek Kok began. The vision was grand.
The plan included a Science Park residential areas and recreational spaces. It aimed to create 20 000 jobs and house 12 000 people. Reclamation was a key part of this development. It involved using public fill in three stages. The cost was substantial about 600 million dollars.
The Science Park opened in stages from 2001 to 2007. The private residential sites were planned for release between 2003 and 2006. However there was a change of plans. They became the location for an Athletes’ Village. This was if Hong Kong hosted the 2006 Asian Games. This shows how plans adapt to unforeseen circumstances.
The landscape design of Pak Shek Kok reflects its surroundings. There’s a stepped height concept. This maximizes harbour views and blends with the natural environment. A waterfront promenade a cycle path and landing steps were created. The aim was to create a thriving community. A place where people could both live and enjoy leisure activities. Pak Shek Kok a place transformed from a small estuary into a vibrant hub. This is Pak Shek Kok today.