The Government today (November 9) launched the Stage 2 Public Participation Programme for the Kai Tak Planning Review.
"The Planning Review is aimed at formulating a new development concept for Kai Tak under the 'no reclamation' scenario and a comprehensive Public Participation Programme has been devised to foster the building of consensus through an open and informed process," a spokesman for the Planning Department said.
"In the Stage 2 Public Participation Programme, three different draft Outline Concept Plans (OCPs) have been prepared based on the views received in the Stage 1 Public Participation, to enable formulation of views on the development concept for Kai Tak," the spokesman said.
In view of the Court of Final Appeal's judgment handed down in January, 2004, regarding reclamation in the Harbour Area, a "no reclamation" scenario has been adopted as the starting point in preparing the development concepts for Kai Tak.
The spokesman said the OCPs were prepared with different land uses emphasis with a view to providing a balanced variety of development scenarios for discussion in the community.
The City in the Park concept (OCP1) aims to create two distinct residential neighbourhoods, with a high-density residential/stadium district in the North Apron Area and medium density residential developments on the runway island. This residential focused scenario is expected to house an overall population of 128,000 and a planned employment of 32,000.
The Kai Tak Glamour concept (OCP2) aims to regenerate the economic role of the ex-airport site by providing a high density office node adjoining the multi-purpose stadium in the North Apron Area, to medium density residential development on the runway island and to a cruise terminal and tourism node at the runway end. The office and tourism focused scenario will provide a less population level of 97,000. The employment level in this concept is 75,000, which is the highest among the three concepts.
The Sports by the Harbour concept (OCP3) aims to promote a sports and recreation hub in this part of the Metro Area, with low to medium density residential neighbourhoods created around recreation facilities to reinforce a green and lively urban district. A lower population level of 69,000 and employment level of 56,000 is planned for under this OCP.
The spokesman stressed that the draft OCPs were not development options to choose from, but to provide a basis for public discussion on possible development proposals on the Kai Tak site.
He added that all three OCPs have incorporated urban design concepts to highlight the heritage value of the ex-Kai Tak Airport and provided the framework to reinstate historical artifacts, e.g. Sung Wong Toi Rock, ex-air traffic control tower, etc.
The Stage 2 Public Participation Programme is a two-month exercise with at least seven public forums in various locations being organised to discuss the draft development concepts presented in the OCPs and issues of community concerns. The first territory-wide public forum will be held at the tip of the ex-airport runway on Saturday, November 19, 2005.
There will also be topical public forums to focus discussion on key issues, such as the Kai Tak Approach Channel, the cruise terminal and multi-purpose stadium proposals.
We will consult the Legislative Council Panel on Planning, Lands and Works. Briefing sessions to statutory and advisory bodies, District Councils, professional institutes, concerned groups and business organisations will be held to get their comments on the OCPs. Briefing sessions to other interested parties could also be arranged upon request.
Comments received in the exercise will serve as input to the preparation of the Preliminary Outline Development Plan and to build public consensus on the relevant proposals.
Members of the public are welcome to visit the website for the Stage 2 Public Participation (http://www.pland.gov.hk/) for more details.
Those who wish to give their views on the development of Kai Tak can fill in the form on-line via the website. Alternatively, they can submit views on line; by fax 2894 9502 or by post to the Kowloon District Planning Office, Planning Department, 14/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road. The deadline for submission is January 6, 2006.
Ends/Wednesday, November 9, 2005
Issued at HKT 19:22
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