ENG-2011 — Page 283

Infrastructure Development and Heritage Conservation | 239

long term. The public is being consulted on the strategic role and vision for the NDA, and their views will be considered in the formulation of the preliminary outline development plan.

Cycle Track Network in the New Territories

The Government is developing a network of cycle 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. The network is about 105 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.

Works on the first phase of the network are in progress and will be completed in 2013. Planning for the remaining phases of the network is under way.

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

In January 2011, the Buildings Department issued 15 new and revised practice notes to the industry for implementing the policy to foster a quality and sustainable built environment - a policy that was announced by the Chief Executive in his 2010- 11 Policy Address. These practice notes promulgate a package of measures for controlling the amount of gross floor area concessions; requiring new buildings to undertake green building certification; creating sustainable building designs on building set back, building separation and greenery coverage; as well as tightening up the overall thermal transfer value of external walls and roofs in commercial buildings. The policy is applicable to all new building developments, the plans of which were submitted to the Buildings Department for approval on or after April 1, 2011.

In 2011, work started on superstructures at 130 building sites, covering a gross floor area of 1.29 million square metres. A total of 401 such buildings, with a combined gross floor area of 1.65 million square metres, was completed at a total cost of $24.5 billion compared with 278 buildings, with a gross floor area of 1.98 million square metres, built at a total cost of $31.5 billion, in 2010.

A new airport terminal building, namely, Midfield Concourse Building located to the west of Terminal 1 in the Hong Kong International Airport, has been proposed. The new terminal targeted for completion in 2015 will provide 19 contact stands with associated fixed link bridges for the convenient boarding and alighting of

passengers.