LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
228
Projects under construction included the Indoor Recreation Centre cum Library in Area 100, Ma On Shan; the Improvement to Victoria Park; Jordan Valley Playground Phase II, Stage 2; and the Local Open Space in Area 44, Tuen Mun.
Facilities opened to the public during the year included the Hong Kong Central Library; the Hong Kong Museum of History; and the Swimming Pool Complex, Library, Indoor Recreation Centre and District Open Space in Area 24, Tseung Kwan O.
The Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, which was opened in the previous year, won the Silver Medal in the Hong Kong Institute of Architects Annual Awards 2000.
Tourism
The first stage of improvement to streetscape and signage along the Sun Yat Sen Historical Trail in the Central and Western District was completed. Improvements to the streetscape in Hollywood Road and Ladder Street will be completed in 2002, and in Upper Lascar Road and Lan Kwai Fong by 2003.
Site formation and planning works began on Phase II of the 64-hectare Hong Kong Wetland Park (as it is now known) in Tin Shui Wai. Phase II is due for completion in 2005. Under Phase 1 - - completed and opened to the public in December 2000 after the wetland park was designated a millennium project for Hong Kong's ecotourism development - an exhibition pavilion was built, a landscaped area formed, and outdoor exhibits provided. This phase won the President's Prize in the Hong Kong Institute of Architects Annual Awards 2000.
Landscape
A number of landscape projects were completed, including the Quarry Bay Park Phase II, Stage 1; the Promenade and District Open Space in Siu Sai Wan; and the District Open Space in North Ap Lei Chau. Besides the provision of parks and open spaces, landscaping has become an indispensable and integrated element in modern project design, particularly in the building interior and other parts, such as atriums, podium decks and roofs, as well as the vehicular access roads and pedestrian plazas. Recognition of the department's work in landscaping came in the Outstanding Green Project Awards 2000: the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence was awarded the Greening Effect Category Silver Award. The Hammer Hill Road District Park and the Tuen Mun Hospital Hospice Centre cum Hospice Garden received Merit Awards.
Design and Build Contracts Domestic and Offices
Departmental quarters projects were completed in Sau Mau Ping (Lee On Road) and Fanling. Construction continued on Government Offices in Sha Tin and departmental quarters in Kwun Tong (Hong Ning Road), Lai Chi Ling in Kwai Chung, and on the West Kowloon Reclamation.
Initiatives in Sustainable Development/Environmental Protection
In order to minimise any adverse impact on the environment, sustainable design practices such as the use of high performance technologies, the promotion of renewable clean energy, the consideration of life-cycle costing and the creation of a healthy built environment - have been integrated into the design and construction processes to produce buildings that are environmentally responsible.