LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
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Design plans for the University of Science and Technology were fianlised for the construc- tion work to proceed in 1989 and with the first of three phases to be completed in 1991.
At Sai Kung Town, layout plans were drawn up for development of the essential community and recreational facilities to serve the township and the hinterland. Preparation work for reclamation at Sai Kung Tuk was carried out to provide land for development of a rural public housing estate. The sewage treatment plant for the town was completed and commissioned.
Islands District
In recent years, the outlying islands have taken on an increasingly important role in catering for the recreational needs of the people of Hong Kong. As part of the Islands District development programme, projects continued throughout the year in both planning and construction to upgrade the living environment and to improve general facilities for the increasing number of visitors to the islands. Among the projects completed were a rural public housing estate at Mui Wo for 1 600 people, a cemetery in the same district, and a local open space in Tai O and the formation of 0.25 hectare of land at Peng Chau for use as an open space.
Urban Development Areas
Five development areas at Aldrich Bay, Hung Hom Bay, West Kowloon, Central and Wan Chai and Green Island, all involving reclamations in Victoria Harbour, were either being studied or under construction to meet forecast development needs in the 1990s and beyond. The reclamation of 36 hectares of land at Hung Hom Bay to cater for expansion of the Kowloon-Canton Railway freight yard and for residential and other uses is progressing as scheduled and will be completed in 1992–3. About eight hectares of land have already been reclaimed with material from public dumping and site formation works.
The Aldrich Bay Reclamation will produce about 17 hectares of land. The first phase of work involving reprovisioning of the typhoon shelter is being carried out in conjunction with site formation work at Shau Kei Wan foothills.
In-house planning and engineering feasibility studies for the West Kowloon Reclamation continued and consultants have been commissioned to undertake a transportation study. The consultancy feasbility study on the Central and Wan Chai Reclamation study is well advanced. Consultants have also been commissioned to investigate the feasibility of the Green Island Reclamation.
The effects of these proposed reclamations on the hydraulics and water quality in the harbour are being assessed by model studies.
Urban Renewal
Following the enactment of the Land Development Corporation Ordinance 1987, the Land Development Corporation (LDC) was established in January 1988. It is charged with the task of initiating and facilitating urban renewal through negotiation for the surrender of existing property and assembly of land for comprehensive development in areas where satisfactory development has been inhibited by factors such as multiple ownership of properties, small size and irregular shape of sites and obsolete street layout. To facilitate the processing of LDC's urban renewal proposals which the government has recognised as a high priority, a Co-ordinating Urban Renewal Team was set up in April 1988 within the Buildings and Lands Department's Town Planning Office as the main contact point and overall co-ordinator between LDC and government for LDC projects.