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LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

The main 'high-density core' of the new town is being developed on land reclaimed from Castle Peak Bay and on the adjacent valley floor. Elsewhere, sites are being formed on hillsides to accommodate mainly medium and low-density residential developments. At the end of 1984, over half of all land for new development areas had been formed and serviced. In contrast, those existing areas of high landscape value which give Tuen Mun its impressive natural setting are being preserved as far as possible.

Like other new towns, Tuen Mun has been planned to meet demand for a wide range of housing types and flat sizes. Substantial areas within the heart of the town have been set aside for high-density public and private housing. Public housing development is already well advanced: at the end of 1984, the new town contained seven public housing estates. accommodating more than 150 000 people. In parallel, the provision of land for both high and low-density private housing has been proceeding well.

Although still largely in its infancy, industrial development in the new town is progress- ing rapidly. About 30 hectares of industrial land within the core of Tuen Mun have been developed, accommodating a wide range of light manufacturing industries and godowns. New sites are being formed and serviced to meet the growing needs of a wide variety of industrial operations. Development of cargo handling facilities is also proposed at suitable locations along the waterfront and the construction of the Castle Peak Power Station and a cement plant is approaching completion.

To keep pace with the day-to-day needs of the growing community, a wide range of social and community facilities is being developed. Many facilities which serve individual housing areas, such as open spaces, schools and recreational facilities, have already been completed, while work on the development of those serving the wider needs of the population is also well underway, including the Tuen Mun Hospital, a town park, a technical institute and a major swimming pool complex. Development work has started on a new regional shopping centre, and a cultural complex in the town centre which will be a focus for the new town's social and economic activities.

The six-lane Tuen Mun Road, the high-speed hoverferry service to Hong Kong Island and the Mass Transit Railway extension from Kowloon to Tsuen Wan have brought the new town within easy reach of the main urban areas. The proposed Light Rail Transit system will provide rapid tram links within the town and between Tuen Mun and Yuen Long.

Tai Po

Tai Po New Town (including Shuen Wan) covers an area of 3 424 hectares. Of the total development area, about 420 hectares have been designated for private residential and commercial development, 84 hectares for public housing development, about 74 hectares for industrial development and about 415 hectares for government, institutional and community use, plus public open space. New residential and commercial development is planned on the reclamation to the north and east of the existing Tai Po Market. Site formation work for the Tai Po Industrial Estate, which will cater to high technology industries, is almost complete.

A rapid build-up in population in recent years has overshadowed Tai Po's more traditional role as a market centre for the surrounding region. In 1984, Tai Po had a population of about 116 000 and the ultimate population capacity is over 300 000. About 120 000 people will be accommodated in six public housing estates planned; four will include an element of home ownership. On full development, private residential areas are expected to house approximately 145 000 people. The electrification of the