TNAG-1342-FCO40-17722-Visit-by-Margaret-Thatcher--UK-Prime-Minister--to-Beijing-fo-1984 — Page 211

The Rt Hon Sir Geoffrey Howe, QC, MP

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Appendix VIII

5.

In

parallel, a series of detailed sub-regional studies was undertaken to identify all possible options for meeting the assessed need for new land. These studies indicated the following potential

terms options in

of numbers of people who could be accommodated :

Existing Urban Area

North West New Territories North East New Territories South West New Territories South East New Territories

1.34 million

0.55 million 0.56 million

0.70 million 0.14 million

3.29 million

6.

To select the option which would best meet the assessed requirement, a computerised optimisation process was used to derive land use configurations and related transport systems which would provide the best value for selected investment objectives. Care was taken to ensure that the selected option, as well as producing satisfactory urban conditions, would also be within the territory's means to implement.

1.

Two possible growth patterns have been identified : one would place about 470,000 people on new reclamations in the Western Harbour Area and about 480,000 in the North West New Territories. The other would place virtually the whole 900,000 on new reclamations in the Western Harbour Area. However, the two patterns have

have common components, chiefly in the reclamations which would provide for about 300,000 people in the Western Harbour Area. Both patterns would also allow the development of the port and other facilities, to support key economic activity.

8.

It is thus possible to proceed initially with an interim strategy which will concentrate on the components common to both growth patterns, and which will allow decisions on longer term development to be taken later in the light of the changes in circumstances which will inevitably occur in the next few years.

9.

Detailed planning and engineering feasibility studies of the proposed harbour reclamations will begin in 1985; port development strategy

a

also study is being undertaken.