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 coordinated manner. The Territory Development Department (TDD) is conducting detailed design of several major reclamation projects to provide new land for growth, to decant existing population and to provide or upgrade facilities to allow for the redevelopment of old and run-down areas.

Hong Kong Island

The Central and Wan Chai Reclamation extends along the waterfront from Sheung Wan to Causeway Bay. Three of the five reclamation phases have been completed Central Reclamation Phases I and II, and Wan Chai Reclamation Phase I.

    Detailed design for the construction of Central Reclamation Phase III was completed in 2002. Construction is expected to start in March 2003 for completion in 2007.

    The planning for Wan Chai Development Phase II is progressing. The comprehensive feasibility study was completed in August 2001. The overall planning layout was gazetted in April 2002 and detailed design works started in June. This phase, together with the other phases of the Central and Wan Chai Reclamation, will accommodate strategic road and rail links along the north shore of Hong Kong Island between Central and the island's eastern part.

    On the eastern side of Hong Kong Island, the Aldrich Bay development has produced some 28 hectares of land for private and public housing, open space and other uses to house about 30 000 people. The housing estates of Oi Tung Estate, Tung Yuk Court and Aldrich Garden have been completed. Construction of roads and other infrastructure commenced in January 1999 for completion in phases to meet the population intake there.

    The Cyberport project is being developed on 24 hectares of land at Telegraph Bay in the Southern District of Hong Kong Island. The Cyberport is an important information infrastructure project providing first-class office accommodation for over 100 information technology (IT) and IT-related companies, a specially designed and technology-themed Cybercentre for over 50 retail tenants of different trades and a five-star hotel that will have 173 rooms. The first phase of the Cyberport was completed in April 2002 as scheduled, and the other phases will be completed between early 2003 and mid-2004. The ancillary residential development to be completed in phases between mid-2004 and mid-2007 will provide 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 were opened to the public in April 2002 to coincide with the completion of the first phase of the Cyberport. 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 Cyberport's third phase.

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 47 500 which is expected to rise to about 129 000 by 2011. Infrastructure works have been substantially completed, and the final phase of reclamation to provide 13 hectares of land is near completion 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. The results of an open competition on the conceptual planning for the area were announced in February. The Government has decided in principle to adopt the concept plan of the first prize winning concept as the basis for the master plan for the project. A high-level steering committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary for the Administration, has been set up to take forward the development.

    The land uses of the Hung Hom Bay Reclamation (an area of 36 hectares) include the expansion of railway freight-yard development, private and public housing development, government, institutional and community facilities, schools as well as open space. It will house about 16 000 people by 2011. Infrastructure works have been completed. Construction of residential/service apartments with social welfare facilities and public open space is in progress on the site of a Comprehensive Development Area.

    The Comprehensive Feasibility Study for the Revised Scheme of 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 July 2002. The new development area of SEKD comprises the former Kai Tak airport apron and runway (280 hectares) and new reclamation areas (133 hectares). Environmentally friendly measures to be implemented include public transport by a railway and a smoke-free shuttle system; implementation of an automated refuse collection system and a district cooling scheme for air-conditioning; and use of tunnel and depressed roads to promote pedestrianisation. The development will have a full range of community facilities, open space and a stadium of international standard. While maintaining the tip of the former runway as a feature, a new tourism node with an international cruise terminal will be created at Kai Tak Point. 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. Detailed design started in January for some of the infrastructure and reclamation works, and construction is planned to start in phases from 2004.