ENG-2003 — Page 268

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

220

reclamation to provide 13 hectares of land is near completion and remaining roadworks are in progress.

The Comprehensive Feasibility Study for the Revised Scheme of the South-East Kowloon Development (SEKD) was completed in September 2001. 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 scheme was translated into two Outline Zoning Plans that were gazetted in July 2001 and authorised in June 2002. The new development area of the SEKD comprises the former Kai Tak airport apron and runway (280 hectares) and new reclamation areas (133 hectares). Detailed design work for some of the infrastructure in the SEKD began in January 2002. However, in the light of the High Court's judgement on the judicial review of the TPB's decisions in respect of the draft Wan Chai North Outline Zoning Plan, the Government has started to review the reclamation scheme of the SEKD to ensure that it meets legal requirements.

New Towns and Rural Townships

The development of new towns in the New Territories continued in 2003. At year-end, about 3.2 million people were housed in the new towns and the nearby rural townships, enjoying a wide range of community and recreational facilities, including schools, markets, shopping centres, parks and open spaces and convenient transport links.

Railway development continued to add convenient mass transit connections between the new towns and the urban areas. The KCR West Rail, commissioned in December, links the new towns of Tsuen Wan, Yuen Long, Tin Shui Wai and Tuen Mun with West Kowloon. The new town of Tseung Kwan O has been served by the MTR Tseung Kwan O Line since August 2002.

Engineering design and construction works on land formation and infrastructure of the development are overseen and coordinated by the TDD.

Landscape Design and the Natural Environment

Extensive landscape works continued to be implemented in conjunction with the developments, providing a green framework to the new neighbourhoods. Trees are planted along roadsides to provide shade and colour, and attention is given to the provision and design of sitting-out areas and walkways for the enjoyment of the public. Ecological restoration works have also been undertaken in accordance with the recommendation of the environmental impact assessment studies to mitigate the impact of engineering works.

Apart from the tree planting associated with the developments, large-scale afforestation programme continued in the hinterland of the new towns and urban development areas, reducing soil erosion due to water run-off from hillsides, preventing siltation of drainage systems and enhancing the countryside. More than 12 million trees and shrubs have been planted over the last five years, with about three million planted in 2003.

Tsuen Wan

Tsuen Wan new town embraces the areas of Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung and Tsing Yi Island, covering a total development area of about 2 400 hectares. It has a current population of about 772 000, which is expected to rise to about 816 000 by 2012. The