XN000022-1995-05-24 — Page 25

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Mr Leung said the Government recognised the desire of many residents to remain close to their old homes.

But, rehousing in the same district was simply not possible for all cases because urban renewal required the lowering of development densities in the main urban areas.

"Infrastructure provisions such as transport, sewers, water supply and all other essentials of urban life cannot support the every increasing number of people in the same amount of space.

"The urban environment can only become further degraded and most of the planning gains lost if we go down that route," he said.

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Mr Leung said he would take the views expressed in the debate into account put the ideas he outlined into a consultation document to invite public views and

comments.

"Based on the views to be collated, we shall work out our final proposals and an implementation strategy by autumn this year.

"Thereafter, we intend to select a number of pilot projects to test out the measures to be adopted," he said,

End/Wednesday, May 24, 1995

Urban renewal policy

Following is the draft speech by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council motion debate on urban renewal policy today (Wednesday):

Mr President,

The Administration share Members' desire for an open discussion on the urban redevelopment policy and their view that there is a need to review the present position and work out strategies to facilitate and expedite urban renewal.