12
Infrastructure Development and Heritage Conservation
used to develop a vibrant and accessible harbourfront promenade from Central to North Point. Construction of WDII started in 2009 and the CWB will be commissioned in 2017.
New Development Areas in the New Territories
The 'North East New Territories New Development Areas (NDAs) Planning and Engineering Study' aims at formulating a planning and development framework for the proposed Kwu Tung North, Fanling North and Ping Che/Ta Kwu Ling NDAS to meet Hong Kong's long-term housing and socio-economic development needs. An exercise to solicit public views on the 'Recommended Outline Development Plans' for the NDAs was completed in September 2012 and the proposals will be adjusted as appropriate after examining the public comments from the planning and engineering feasibility perspectives.
The 'Hung Shui Kiu NDA Planning and Engineering Study' aims to formulate a land use framework and ascertain the feasibility of developing the Hung Shui Kiu NDA to meet housing and other land use needs of Hong Kong in the long term. The community engagement exercise on the strategic role and vision for the NDA was completed in February 2012. The public views provide useful input for the formulation of the preliminary outline development plan.
Cycle Track Network in the New Territories
The Government is developing a network of cycle tracks in the New Territories to give local residents and visitors an opportunity to better enjoy cycling and to explore Hong Kong's interesting and scenic sites. The network is about 105 kilometres long, and stretches from Sai Kung in the east through Ma On Shan, Sha Tin, Tai Po, Fanling, Sheung Shui, Yuen Long and Tuen Mun to Tsuen Wan in the west.
Works on the first phase of the network linking Sheung Shui and Ma On Shan are in progress and will be completed in 2013. The detailed design of another section between Tsuen Wan and Tuen Mun commenced in July 2012. Planning for the remaining phases of the network is under way.
Building Development
Private Sector
The Buildings Department continues to promote a good quality and sustainable built environment in private building developments by implementing a package of measures for controlling the amount of gross floor area concessions; requiring new buildings to undertake green building certification; promoting sustainable building designs in respect of buildings set back from abutting streets; building separation and greenery coverage; and tightening up the overall thermal transfer value of external walls and roofs in commercial buildings.
In 2012, work started on superstructures at 153 building sites, covering a gross floor area of 1.83 million square metres. A total of 606 such buildings, with a total gross floor area of 2.51 million square metres, was completed at a total cost of $51.3 billion compared with 401 buildings, with a gross floor area of 1.65 million square metres, built at a total cost of $24.5 billion, in 2011.
197