13
Planning, Land and Infrastructure
Lessees of leased land, commonly known as private landowners, may apply to the Lands Department for a lease modification or land exchange so as to, for instance, redevelop based on the town plan. The department acts as a private landlord in considering such applications. Approvals are subject to terms and conditions that may include the payment of premiums and administrative fees. In 2017, the department concluded 105 such transactions, involving about 395.6 hectares and about $48.3 billion in land premiums, expected to provide 17,293 private housing flats and up to about 209,850 sq m of gross floor area for commercial or other economic uses.
The Pilot Scheme for Arbitration on Land Premium, launched in 2014, seeks to facilitate agreement on land premiums payable for lease modifications and land exchange transactions. It has been extended until October 2018 and will be reviewed in due course.
Harbourfront Enhancement
To enhance the harbourfront, the government is constructing promenades on both sides of the harbour and improving their accessibility for public enjoyment. During the year, an urban design study for the Wan Chai North and North Point harbourfront continued and proposed enhancement measures were revised, taking into account views from the Harbourfront. Commission and the public. The government was also refining the alignment and design of a proposed boardwalk underneath the Island Eastern Corridor based on views received in a community engagement exercise that ended in January. A feasibility study to enhance the design of cycle tracks in waterfront promenades began in April, while new three-year tenancies for the temporary use of an event space and the Hong Kong Observation Wheel on the Central Harbourfront started in May and November respectively. The government is working with the Harbourfront Commission to implement enhancements under the commission's purview through a dedicated team and dedicated funding of $500 million.
Kowloon East
The Energizing Kowloon East Office steers and facilitates the transformation of Kowloon East, which covers the Kai Tak Development Area and the Kwun Tong and Kowloon Bay business areas, into another CBD. Its scope of work was extended to the adjoining San Po Kong Business Area in October.
Ongoing work includes enhancing the pedestrian environment, improving traffic conditions, enhancing the environment, and increasing land supply by vacating government facilities in two action areas for commercial and office use. Kowloon East is the pilot area in Hong Kong to explore smart city development.
Lantau Island
Lantau has the potential to support a population of 700,000 to one million and create about 470,000 jobs. In June, the government released the Sustainable Lantau Blueprint, which embraces the overarching principle of 'Development in the North; Conservation for the South! Major economic and housing developments are planned in north Lantau and the East Lantau Metropolis, while northeast Lantau will become a node for leisure, entertainment and tourism.
188