ENG-1992 — Page 233

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

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The Land Development Corporation (LDC) was established in January 1988 to encourage and speed up urban renewal. A section was set up in the Planning Department to serve as the main contact point between the LDC and the government. This section is responsible for processing LDC redevelopment proposals, making planning assessments and preparing planning briefs for various urban renewal schemes, and identifying suitable areas for urban renewal.

Since the inception of the LDC, about 20 projects have been initiated within the designated old urban districts. Up to the end of 1992, there were five comprehensive redevelopment scheme plans drawn up and gazetted under the Town Planning Ordinance.

Of the five redevelopment schemes, the Jubilee Street and Wing Lok Street Schemes were approved by the Executive Council in 1991 and the Queen Street Scheme was approved in September 1992. Resumption of private land and properties in the first two schemes was largely completed and construction works would soon be commenced. On completion, they will provide high quality office/commercial buildings and much needed open space and community facilities for the district. The Queen Street Scheme is to provide residential and commercial/office use, together with a multi-purpose social welfare complex, ample provision of public open space, a cooked food centre and a day nursery. Site assembly work is in progress.

The other two redevelopment schemes were still being processed by the TPB in accordance with provisions of the Town Planning Ordinance. Objections against the Argyle Street/Shanghai Street Scheme were heard by the TPB and the scheme is to be submitted to the Executive Council for approval in early 1993. On the other hand, preliminary consideration of the objections raised against the Sham Chun Street Scheme was held and the TPB decided to uphold the objections.

Apart from the comprehensive redevelopment schemes, a number of smaller commercial and residential redevelopment proposals were also being undertaken by the LDC. On Hong Kong Island, the commercial/office development in Queen's Road Central was completed, and the residential projects at Third Street and Li Chit Street were under construction. In Kowloon, there were two residential projects, one located at Yim Po Fong Street and one at Soy Street, and two commercial projects, one at Dundas Street and the other at Sai Yeung Choi Street South. Land grants for these projects were either completed or being processed.

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Another notable LDC scheme was the renovation of the Western Market building at Sheung Wan. The scheme was planned to bring viable uses into a historic building by converting it into a London Covent Garden type of bazaar. The renovated market, opened in late 1991, has brought new life with traditional Chinese trades and crafts which are the prime characteristics of the Sheung Wan district.

To formulate area-specific renewal strategies and identify urban redevelopment opportunities, consultancy studies have been commissioned by the LDC. In 1992, two studies of redevelopment opportunities in Tsuen Wan Town Centre and Hung Hom were completed. The Planning Department also commissioned a survey on social attitudes towards urban renewal in mid-1992. The survey is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The findings will be used by the government as a reference in the formulation of future urban renewal approaches and the implementation of the Metroplan.

The Hong Kong Housing Society has also contributed to the urban renewal process by undertaking a number of urban improvement schemes in the old urban areas. There were