URA welcomes Town Planning Board's decision on Kwun Tong Town Centre project
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (Friday) welcomed the
decision of the Town Planning Board (TPB) to submit the two
development scheme plans of the Kwun Tong Town Centre project to
the Chief Executive-in-Council for approval after completing the
statutory public consultation and hearing process. This represents
a major stride in the implementation of the mega project.
URA Managing Director, Mr Quinn Law, said: "The URA plans to begin
property acquisition for the affected owners, in about four to five
months, after obtaining ExCo's approval. We hope that
property acquisition can take place by the end of 2008."
"While ExCo's approval is the pre-requisite before we can go ahead
with the project, active preparatory work is now in full
swing. After the ExCo gives its green light, our property
acquisition work and Master Layout Plan submission can go hand in
hand," said Mr Law.
Because of the huge size of the project, redevelopment will be in
phases. A wide range of comprehensive and technical studies
pertaining to the project such as studies on traffic impact,
drainage and sewage impact, air ventilation, visual impact and
environment impact, are actively under way.
In parallel, the URA has been continuously in dialogue with
various government departments, the District Council, residents,
hawkers and transport operators, and local concerned groups to keep
them informed of the project progress and to exchange views on the
way forward.
On property acquisition and rehousing arrangements, Mr Law said:
"After obtaining the ExCo's approval, our appointed independent
surveyors will begin to work out the offer price. In view of the
mega size of the project and the need to reflect closely market
price changes as far as possible, full valuation and preparation of
offer documents may take four to five months after ExCo's approval
is received. Once we have successfully acquired properties with
tenancies, we will then be able to start the compensation and
rehousing process for eligible tenants."
Mr Law emphasised that the development scheme plans and the final
project design have been formulated taking into account public
views collected during the two-year-long extensive consultation
with the community.
Major design features of the project include visionary features of
a 21st Century town centre, and increased public open space and
greening. There will also be an integrated public transport
interchange, grade-separated connections to the vicinity,
kaifong-style features such as street shops and bazaar. These
facilities will be designed and built for easy access by
wheel-chair users.
The Christian Family Service Centre Social Service Team
commissioned by the URA, together with our frontline staff, will
continue to provide assistance to residents and families who are in
need of help.
Kwun Tong Town Centre project, costing over $30 billion, is the
most challenging development ever undertaken by the URA in terms of
scale and complexity. "The URA will try its very best to
ensure that the project will bring about sustainable improvement in
Kwun Tong's social fabric but, more importantly, substantial
long-term economic benefits as a whole," he added.
(ENDS)