ENG-2010 — Page 280

230 | Infrastructure Development and Heritage Conservation

Che Ta Kwu Ling NDAs to address Hong Kong's long-term housing and land-use needs.

Meanwhile, Stage Two of the exercise to solicit public views on the preliminary outline development plans for the NDAs was completed in early 2010. Basesd on the views collected and the results of various technical assessments, a third round of consultation will be carried out on the recommended plans.

Preparations are under way for the development of Hung Shui Kiu NDA in the New Territories. The public is being consulted on the strategic role and vision for the NDA, and their views will be taken into account in a planning and engineering study to be carried out in 2011.

Cycle Track Network in the New Territories

The Government is developing a network of bicycle tracks in the New Territories to give local residents and visitors an opportunity to better enjoy cycling and to explore Hong Kong's interesting and scenic sites at the same time. The track is about 110 kilometres long, and stretches from Sai Kung in the east through Ma On Shan, Sha Tin, Tai Po, Fanling, Sheung Shui, Yuen Long and Tuen Mun to Tsuen Wan in the west.

There will be facilities along the route for bicycle rental, repair, parking as well as rest. Work on the first phase of the network started in May 2010 for completion in 2013.

Transport Infrastructure

The Government is pushing ahead with the 10 large-scale infrastructure projects announced by the Chief Executive in his 2007 Policy Address. The aim of those projects is to help Hong Kong develop further, to improve its transportation infrastructure, and to foster cross-boundary integration with close neighbours Shenzhen and the Pearl River Delta region. Details are in Chapter 13.

Building Development

Private Sector

Quality and sustainable buildings are essential features of a prosperous and modern metropolis. The Buildings Department promotes and facilitates the construction and maintenance of such buildings to provide a safe and healthy living environment. The Government announced in October 2010 a package of new measures for creating sustainable building designs, controlling gross floor area concessions and requiring new buildings to use energy efficiently.

In 2010, work started on so-called superstructures at 130 building sites, covering a gross floor area of 1.52 million square metres. A total of 278 such buildings, with a combined gross floor area of 1.98 million square metres, was completed at a total cost of $31.5 billion compared with 668 buildings, with a gross floor area of 1.49 million square metres, built at a total cost of $26.1 billion, in 2009.