ENG-1999 — Page 268

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

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The ongoing studies include Sustainable Development for the 21st Century, the Feasibility Study for Additional Cross-Border Links Stages I & II, Planning and Development Study on NWNT, Planning and Development Study on NENT, Planning and Development Study on Hong Kong Island South and Lamma, and the Study on Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong.

The Planning Department commenced nine studies in 1999; namely, Survey of Housing Aspirations of Households (1999), SENT Development Strategy Review, Metroplan Review Stage II Study, Study on Village Improvement and Upgrading of Lei Yue Mun Areas, the Review of Framework for Industrial Land Provision and Reservation Strategy, Setting Up of a 3-Dimensional Digital Model for the Main Urban Area of Hong Kong, Cross Boundary Travel Study, Study on Development Opportunities of the Former Marine Police Headquarters Site in Tsim Sha Tsui and the Planning Study on the Harbour and its Waterfront Areas-an Assessment of the Potential for Tourism Purposes.

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/reclamation projects to provide new land for growth, essential infrastructure and waterfront facilities to decant existing population and to provide or upgrade facilities to allow for the redevelopment of old and run-down

areas.

Hong Kong Island

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 I, Central Reclamation Phase II and Wan Chai Reclamation Phase I.

A comprehensive feasibility study is being conducted for Central Reclamation Phase III and is targeted for completion in mid-2000. The detailed design will commence afterwards and construction will begin in mid-2002 for completion in mid-2006.

Wan Chai Development Phase II is also under planning. A comprehensive feasibility study is being conducted and is targeted for completion by early 2001. Together with the other phases of Central and Wan Chai Reclamation, it will accommodate strategic road and rail links along the north shore of Hong Kong Island between Central and the eastern part.

The original scope of the Green Island Reclamation intended to produce about 187 hectares of land (including about 10 hectares already formed under the Belcher Bay Link Project) to the north of Kennedy Town for residential development and strategic road links as well as provision of open spaces including waterfront promenades and an urban fringe park. Owing to the public sentiment against reclamation within the harbour limit, the scope and the scale of it are under review by the administration.