SEN Group "Hong Kong Inclusive Cultural Tourism Assessment Project"

Episode 10: The Old Tai Po Police Station (Green Hub)

Following the joint establishment of the SEN Focus Group by the Greater Bay Area Research Institute for Study Travel (GBA Micee) and MICEE Tours, we continue to advance the "Hong Kong Inclusive Cultural Tourism Assessment Project." Episode 10 was conducted on December 14, 2025, led by our Inclusive Tourism Experience Officer Cathy. She personally tested the Old Tai Po Police Station (Green Hub)—a century-old historical building revitalized into a sustainability education center. The assessment covered external access routes, internal barrier-free facilities, guided tour services, and dining experiences, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the site's friendliness towards wheelchair users.

Built in 1899, the Old Tai Po Police Station was the first permanent police station in the New Territories, witnessing the development of Hong Kong's law enforcement history. In 2011, it was revitalized into the "Green Hub," transforming into an education center promoting sustainable living. It now houses exhibitions, an Honesty Bookstore, the vegetarian restaurant "Wai Canteen," and various workshops, becoming an important cultural and ecological landmark in the Tai Po district.

Field Test Journey and Findings

1. Challenges in External Access Routes

• Limited Route Options: Starting from Tai Po Market Station Exit A, the most direct route was inaccessible due to steps, forcing a detour to a longer alternative route. This highlights that accessibility planning does not cover all primary connecting paths.
• Safety Hazards on Slopes: The journey to the police station involves navigating a steep slope. The pedestrian path was narrow and allowed only single-file passage. For safety and efficiency, the wheelchair was forced onto the vehicle road, underscoring the potential risks the pedestrian environment poses to people with mobility challenges.

2. Assessment of Internal Accessibility Facilities

• Accessible Toilet: Well-equipped, spacious, featuring handrails, an emergency button, and a baby care area. The door hinge design is lightweight and easy to operate. Attention should be paid to the placement of the emergency button and prompts regarding accidental activation.
• Internal Circulation: Main pathways are flat and wide, though some areas may have slightly uneven surfaces requiring maintenance attention.
• Exhibitions and Bookstore: The Honesty Bookstore and exhibition spaces have smooth circulation and a strong cultural atmosphere.

3. Service Experience and Inclusive Details

• Guided Tour Service: The tour guide was professional and passionate, providing detailed and engaging commentary. Crucially, they proactively considered the wheelchair user's route, offering directions for accessible paths in advance, demonstrating excellent service awareness and inclusive training.
• Dining Experience at Wai Canteen: Staff were attentive, friendly, and actively assisted in arranging seating. The restaurant uses fixed seating and tables, which presents slight inconvenience for wheelchair users when choosing seats and maneuvering. Consideration could be given to introducing more flexible seating designs in the future.

Watch the Full Assessment Video

🎬 Episode 10 Complete Field Test Record: A Historical and Sustainable Journey at the Old Tai Po Police Station https://youtu.be/04nOcjuhI0s

Conclusion and Recommendations

The revitalization project of the Old Tai Po Police Station is commendable in its concept, successfully linking law enforcement history with a sustainable future. The field test indicates that its performance in service-level inclusion (particularly the guided tour and staff attitude) is excellent, effectively compensating for some hardware limitations.

However, the issue with the external access route from the station to the venue reveals a systemic challenge in urban accessibility: accessibility should not stop at the building's entrance but encompass the complete journey "from departure to return home."

Specific Improvement Recommendations:

1. Coordinate with relevant departments to assess and improve the most direct pedestrian route from Tai Po Market Station to the police station, adding accessible pathway options.
2. Regularly inspect and maintain the evenness of surfaces inside and outside the building.
3. The restaurant could evaluate installing a small number of movable or height-adjustable tables and chairs to increase seating flexibility for wheelchair users.
4. Add clear usage and accidental activation prompts next to the emergency button in the accessible toilet.

The realization of an accessible environment is the integration of hardware, management, and service. The warmth demonstrated by the Old Tai Po Police Station in "service and management" provides an important reference for the inclusive revitalization of historical buildings.

🎬 Assessment Team: Cathy Tang (Inclusive Tourism Experience Officer and Report Writer) Edward Cheuk (Chief Planner and Producer of Assessment Project) Kaho Lam (Director of Photography and Technical Guidance) Felix Choi (Administrative Director of Assessment Project) Roy Lo (Social Media Operations Officer) Perrin Ng (Video Editor of Assessment Project)