ENG-1998 — Page 269

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

During the year, the Planning Department conducted an Urban Renewal Strategy Study to examine the magnitude of the urban renewal problem and to draw up an overall strategy to deal with it. This will select priority redevelopment projects for the URA to implement upon its establishment. The study also assesses the land and resource requirements for re-housing tenants affected by the projects. The government will explore with the Housing Authority ways to rehouse those affected

Planning Studies

During the year, the Planning Department worked on several major development proposals, including the Green Island Development and South-East Kowloon reclamations, the remaining development in Tung Chung and Tai Ho, the port back- up and land requirements and intensification and extension of Tseung Kwan O New Town. Studies were completed on the South-East Kowloon reclamation including the ex-airport site, future use of ex-military sites in Kowloon and the New Territories, shopping habits, Metroplan Review Stage I study, the propensity for office decentralisation and the formulation of an Office Land Development Strategy and the third review of the Port Development Strategy.

On-going studies include Sustainable Development for the 21st Century, Planning and Development Study on NWNT, Planning and Development Study on NENT, Feasibility Study for Additional Cross-Border Links Stages I & II and Metroplan Review Stage II.

The Planning Department began four studies in 1998: the Planning and Development Study on Hong Kong Island South and Lamma; the Cultural Facilities, their Requirements and Formulation of New Planning Standards and Guidelines; a Study on Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong; and the Study on Revitalisation of Tai O. A survey of Housing Aspirations of Households, a review on the SENT Development Strategy Review and the Metroplan Review Stage II Study are scheduled to commence in 1999.

Urban Development Areas

Construction works and feasibility studies on new urban development areas generally follow the broad pattern of land use and guidelines in the Metroplan, and integrate with the replanning and redevelopment of adjoining old areas in a co-ordinated manner. The Territory Development Department is conducting feasibility studies of several major development projects to provide new land for growth and to decant existing population and to provide or upgrade facilities to enable the re-development of old and run-down areas.

Hong Kong Island

The Central and Wan Chai Reclamation extends along the waterfront from Sheung Wan to Causeway Bay. Three out of the five reclamation phases have been completed - Central Reclamation Phase 1, Central Reclamation Phase 2 and Wan Chai Reclamation Phase 1.

The detailed design for Central Reclamation Phase 3, which connects Central Reclamation Phases 1 and 2 with Wan Chai Reclamation Phase I, was completed in mid-1997. Implementation of this phase is under review subject to the finalisation of the statutory plan.

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