Born in the Netherlands, Paul Zimmerman arrived in Hong Kong in 1984. He built and sold a successful graphic design company. Next, he joined MF Jebsen International with M&A responsibility for travel and automotive businesses.
In 2002, Paul convened the Designing Hong Kong Harbour District project which reorientated the debate over reclamation to improving the harbourfront for public enjoyment. The project was instrumental in Government forming the Harbourfront Commission in 2004, where he is a member representing the Society for Protection of the Harbour.
This success led to the founding of Designing Hong Kong Limited, a not-for-profit organisation which advocates for the adoption of quality of life and good design as core values in planning and development. Designing Hong Kong promotes interventions wherever it sees opportunities for better planning – at a territorial or district level, and wherever it sees that policies, processes or institutions are not working the way they could or should. Designing Hong Kong is a Member of the World Urban Campaign by UN-Habitat.
Recent foci include walkability (www.missinglinks.hk, #missingseats, #WalkingWithWheels, www.coastaltrail.hk); affordable access to water based sports, leisure and recreation (www.moorings.hk); waste reduction (www.drinkwithoutwaste.org and #eatwithoutwaste); and safeguarding Hong Kong’s biodiversity (www.countryparks.hk).
Paul Zimmerman was elected 4 times to represent the Pokfulam constituency as a District Councillor from 2010 to the end of 2023 (click here). Paul is a board member of Civic Exchange, Parks and Trails, the Patient Care Foundation, and the Hong Kong Boating Industry Association. His Hong Kong Government advisory functions included the formulation of the first Biodiversity Actions and Strategy Plan for Hong Kong.
Paul is an avid paraglider, sailor, scuba diver, mountain hiker, and rides motorcycles. He has a Masters in Social Science (Economics) from the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, and a Master of Arts in Transport Policy and Planning from The University of Hong Kong. He was awarded a Honorary Membership of the American Institute of Architects (HK) for his role in improving the waterfront of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour.
In 2002, Paul convened the Designing Hong Kong Harbour District project which reorientated the debate over reclamation to improving the harbourfront for public enjoyment. The project was instrumental in Government forming the Harbourfront Commission in 2004, where he is a member representing the Society for Protection of the Harbour.
This success led to the founding of Designing Hong Kong Limited, a not-for-profit organisation which advocates for the adoption of quality of life and good design as core values in planning and development. Designing Hong Kong promotes interventions wherever it sees opportunities for better planning – at a territorial or district level, and wherever it sees that policies, processes or institutions are not working the way they could or should. Designing Hong Kong is a Member of the World Urban Campaign by UN-Habitat.
Recent foci include walkability (www.missinglinks.hk, #missingseats, #WalkingWithWheels, www.coastaltrail.hk); affordable access to water based sports, leisure and recreation (www.moorings.hk); waste reduction (www.drinkwithoutwaste.org and #eatwithoutwaste); and safeguarding Hong Kong’s biodiversity (www.countryparks.hk).
Paul Zimmerman was elected 4 times to represent the Pokfulam constituency as a District Councillor from 2010 to the end of 2023 (click here). Paul is a board member of Civic Exchange, Parks and Trails, the Patient Care Foundation, and the Hong Kong Boating Industry Association. His Hong Kong Government advisory functions included the formulation of the first Biodiversity Actions and Strategy Plan for Hong Kong.
Paul is an avid paraglider, sailor, scuba diver, mountain hiker, and rides motorcycles. He has a Masters in Social Science (Economics) from the Erasmus University in Rotterdam, and a Master of Arts in Transport Policy and Planning from The University of Hong Kong. He was awarded a Honorary Membership of the American Institute of Architects (HK) for his role in improving the waterfront of Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour.