"Kingdom of Tonga"
Redevelopment Proposal
On the 16th of November 2006, a riot caused significant damage to the central business district of Nuku’alofa. ProDesigners Architects were invited to provide a ‘vision’ for the proposed redevelopments, which was presented to His Majesty, the King of Tonga and the cabinet in December 2006.
Axes to the Water
The re-development concentrates along the three natural ‘axes’ to the water.
The ‘Spiritual Axis’ along Tu’i Road from the Royal Tomb planted with large sheltering tress either side of the widened street terminating at the relocated Soldier Monument on the water’s edge of the Waterfront Public ‘
Plaza’.
The ‘
Commercial Axis’ is along Taufa’ahau Road. New development along this street will be set back to create a wide avenue of palm trees and street canopies aligning both sides of the street to the green fields of the Public ‘Plaza’ promoting a safe, vibrant commercial and retail hub.
The ‘
Civic Axis’ will be concentrated on Railway Road with the Government Precinct and the waterfront defining the edge of the axis.
Arrival Terminal Wharf
The end of the wharf is developed to encompass a passenger ‘terminal’ of single level canopies stretching to the Fountain Roundabout and linking to the Visitors Centre situated in the restored Treasury Building.
Visitor’s Centre
The renovated historical Treasury Building will become the visitor’s centre for tourist information, bookings, art, cultural events and displays. The formal flower garden behind this building will provide a quiet outdoor venue for smaller civic events.
Taufa’ahau Road
Commercial Axis
The re-developed ‘Main’ Street of the city for shopping, dining and entertainment with strong links to the water, starting at Laifone Avenue at the upper edge of this axis.
A new cinema complex, new hotels, shopping mall next to the existing Fund Management House will help revitalise the Hub during the day and night, supporting complementary usage such as restaurants and cafes.
Railway Road
Civic Axis
Concentrated development of 2 to 4 storied buildings around the area that borders Salote, Vuna, Railway and Fatafehi Roads will provide a secured precinct for the Prime Minister’s Office, Civic and Governmental Buildings and activities that can be easily ‘locked down’ when necessary. Sateki Avenue gated to provide a secured access for staff or authorised vehicles only. Salote Road widened along this precinct to ease traffic flow.
The existing courts and the Development Bank remain as part of this complex.
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