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LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
The government and private developers are both involved in the redevelopment of the older urban districts, where buildings are old and in a dilapidated condition and where the provision of various community and infrastructure facilities is inadequate.
The Land Development Corporation (LDC) was established in 1988 to undertake, encourage, promote and facilitate urban renewal. Since its inception, about 34 projects have been initiated within the designated old urban districts. At the end of 1994, redevelopment scheme plans for five major comprehensive redevelopment projects had been drawn up and gazetted under the Town Planning Ordinance.
Of the five redevelopment plans, the Jubilee Street, Wing Lok Street and Queen Street plans were approved by the Executive Council over the past two years. The Argyle Street/ Shanghai Street plan was approved in July 1993. The Shamchun Street scheme was abandoned by the LDC following an upholding of objections from local residents by the Town Planning Board.
All private properties in the Wing Lok Street Scheme and the nearby Jubilee Street Scheme have been resumed and construction work has started. Upon completion, the two schemes will provide high-quality commercial buildings and much-needed open space and community facilities for the Sheung Wan and Central districts. Acquisition of the properties in the Queen Street Scheme is in progress. The scheme will provide space for residential, commercial and office uses, supplemented by the provision of a multi-purpose social welfare complex, public open space, a cooked-food centre and a day nursery to redress the shortfall in these facilities in Sheung Wan.
In Kowloon, acquisition of the properties in the Argyle Street/Shanghai Street Scheme is underway. In addition to the provision of commercial space, there will be a public light bus terminus, a cooked-food centre, a neighbourhood community centre and public open space facilities.
Apart from these schemes, the LDC has also undertaken several smaller commercial and residential redevelopment projects. On Hong Kong Island, a commercial development in Queen's Road Central and residential developments in Third Street, Tai Yuen Street, Wan Chai Road and Li Chit Street have been completed. In Kowloon, a residential development in Soy Street was completed, while two commercial and residential projects in Dundas Street and Sai Yeung Choi Street were in progress. Another project in Yim Po Fong Street, to provide commercial and residential space, was under planning and construction work will start soon.
The Hong Kong Housing Society has also contributed to the urban renewal process by undertaking a number of urban improvement schemes in the older areas. Two projects, in Lai Chi Kok Road and Bonham Strand, were completed in 1994. Another three projects, in Yau Ma Tei, Queen's Road Central/Hollywood Road and Ma Tau Kok, were under construction. Two 'Comprehensive Development Area' schemes in Tsuen Wan and Kennedy Town were being reviewed and planned.
New Towns and Rural Townships
The development of new towns in Hong Kong saw continued progress in 1994, with the formation of additional land, the construction of new and improved infrastructure and the addition of further community facilities. Government expenditure in this area amounted to more than $2.5 billion.