URA to build Hong Kong a better home
The Board of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (25 April
2002) endorsed the Vision and Mission statements of the Authority
which have been put forward as the guiding principles after
thorough deliberations among Board members and URA staff.
"Our Vision is to create a quality and vibrant urban living
environment in Hong Kong----a better home in a world-class city. To
realise our Vision, our Mission is to act on our priorities with
ingenuity and sensitivity, join forces with our partners and
nurture our people," a URA spokesperson said.
The priorities of the URA are:
- To accelerate redevelopment by replacing old buildings with new to provide a better living environment;
- To enable and encourage the rehabilitation of dilapidated buildings to prevent urban decay;
- To preserve by maintaining and restoring buildings of historical and architectural value, and to sustain local characteristics;
- To revitalise through enhancing and strengthening the socio-economic and environmental fabric for the benefit of our urban communities.
The Board also discussed ways to optimize utilization of the
Western Market. The Western Market, one of the rare examples of
Edwardian architecture still in existence in Hong Kong, is a
preservation project undertaken by the former Land Development
Corporation in 1991. To achieve optimal use of this 100-year-old
building, the Board agreed that a detailed study should be carried
out for that purpose. This will also fit in with the plan to
revitalise the area. Interested parties will be invited to submit
proposals.
At today's meeting, the Board noted progress of the three early
launch projects in Wan Chai, Tai Kok Tsui and Sham Shui Po. It also
approved the Memorandum of Understanding to be signed with the
Housing Authority (HA) on the provision of rental units for the
affected residents of these three projects.
Under the memorandum, the HA will act as a rehousing agent of the
URA and provide up to 1,000 flats each year for residents affected
by URA's projects.
"The URA will ensure that comprehensive rehousing arrangements are
in place for people affected by its projects," the spokesperson
said.
Members today also endorsed the criteria for compassionate
rehousing and the setting up of a panel to consider such
applications from the affected residents of the project areas.