ENG-2001 — Page 274

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

218

about 2 800 units for sale in the open market. About 4 000 jobs in the construction industry will be created during the course of the project.

The Southern Access Road and the public transport interchange are in an advanced stage of construction and will be opened in early 2002 to coincide with the completion of the Cyberport building. The other access road, connecting the northern end of the site with Sha Wan Drive, is under construction. This new access road will be completed by end-2003 to coincide with the completion of the third phase of the Cyberport.

Kowloon

The West Kowloon Reclamation (WKR) provides a total of 340 hectares of land for strategic transport links, commercial development and housing development. It has a current population of about 36 000 which is expected to rise to about 129 000 by 2010. Infrastructure works have been substantially completed, and the final phase of reclamation to provide 13 hectares of land and remaining roadworks are in progress. The southern portion of the WKR (about 40 hectares) is to be developed into a world-class integrated arts, cultural and entertainment district. An open competition on the planning for the land use of this area is in progress. The result of the competition is scheduled to be announced in the first quarter of 2002.

The Hung Hom Bay Reclamation (36 hectares) will house about 15 200 by 2010. Land will be used for the expansion of railway freight-yard development, private and public housing development, government, institutional and community facilities, schools as well as open space. Infrastructure works have been completed. On the site of a Comprehensive Development Area, construction of residential/service apartments with social welfare facilities and public open space is in progress.

can

The Comprehensive Feasibility Study for the Revised Scheme of South-East Kowloon Development (SEKD) commenced in November 1999. A Preliminary Layout Plan (PLP) was prepared in May 2000 for public consultation. The PLP in general has gained wide support from the public. In particular, the further reduction in the total reclamation area to some 133 hectares and the adoption of environmentally friendly measures have been welcomed by the public. The feasibility study was substantially completed in September 2001, producing an Outline Master Development Plan (OMDP) which largely follows the board framework of the PLP. The OMDP was translated into two Outline Zoning Plans which were gazetted in July. The new development area of SEKD-comprising the former Kai Tak airport apron and runway (280 hectares) and new reclamation areas (133 hectares) accommodate a population of about 250 000 and will provide about 75 000 employment opportunities. Environmentally friendly measures to be implemented include public transport by railway and a smoke-free shuttle system; implementation of an automated refuse collection system and a district cooling scheme for air- conditioning; and utilisation of solar energy. The development will have a full range of community facilities, open space and a stadium of international standard. Tunnels and depressed roads will be widely used to promote pedestrianisation. A new tourism node with an international cruise terminal will be created at Kai Tak Point, maintaining the tip of the former runway as a feature. Heritage items will be preserved. A Metropolitan Park covering an area of 24 hectares and a waterfront promenade of 5.4 kilometres will complement the tourism node as major attractions for tourists and residents.