LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
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schools, markets and shopping centres, parks and open spaces and convenient transport links.
Engineering design and construction works on land formation and infrastructure of the development are overseen and co-ordinated by the Territory Development Department (TDD).
Landscape and the Natural Environment
Extensive landscape works continued to be implemented in conjunction with the developments, providing a green framework to the new neighbourhoods. Trees are planted along new roadsides for shade and colour and attention is given to the design of roadside and waterfront sitting areas for the enjoyment of the public.
Ecological restoration works have also been undertaken in accordance with Environmental Impact Assessment study recommendations to mitigate the effects of engineering works. Recent works of this type have included the planning and establishment of mangrove and other wetland habitats, particularly in the north-west New Territories.
The large scale afforestation programme in the hinterland of the new towns and urban development areas continued. About six million trees have been planted by the TDD over the last five years, with over 1.7 million planted in the last year. More than 50 hectares were afforested over the year, reducing the water run-off from hillsides, preventing siltation of drainage systems and enhancing the hinterlands of the development areas.
Tsuen Wan
Tsuen Wan new town embraces the areas of Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi Island. It covers a total development area of about 2 360 hectares with a present population of about 796 000. Over the next 10 years, the population is expected to rise to around 860 000. As one of the strategic growth areas, the Tsuen Wan Bay Further Reclamation will reclaim about 31 hectares of land by 2010 to provide sufficient land to facilitate urban renewal, and to meet housing demand.
Major highway projects will further extend and reinforce the main road network. The Kwai Tsing Bridge (Duplicate Tsing Yi South Bridge) linking south Tsing Yi to Kwai Chung has been completed. A flyover across Castle Peak Road connecting Tsuen King Circuit and Sha Tsui Road is under construction for completion in mid-2000. Construction of the KCRC West Rail has begun and it will have one station in Tsuen Wan West.
Sha Tin
Sha Tin new town is already home for about 630 000 people, approximately 67 per cent of whom live in public housing developments which comprise 15 public rental estates and 22 home ownership and private sector participation scheme developments. The new town will house about 670 000 people by end-2001. The construction of Trunk Road T3 (Tai Wai Section), which will connect with Route 9 to West Kowloon, is planned to start in 2002 for completion in 2006.
Since 1981, development works have been extended to Ma On Shan, involving a total development area of about 2 000 hectares. Work on the last section of the