The Development Bureau is co-organising a competition for innovative input on how to achieve a holistic plan and implementation strategy to revitalise Tai O.
At the launching ceremony of the "Design Competition for the Revitalisation of Tai O" today (March 19), the Deputy Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands), Mrs Susan Mak, said: "We propose to apply a holistic revitalisation approach with an emphasis on heritage conservation in taking forward the improvement programme in Tai O which is rich in natural and cultural heritage."
Mrs Mak said that with a tranquil natural environment, scenic attractions and unique cultural features, Tai O was a beautiful place with immense historical and heritage value.
"Through the competition, we want to enlist innovative input from local residents and those who care for the future of Tai O to map out a planning design, making it a good place to live and a leisure spot for locals and tourists alike," Mrs Mak said.
The competition will place emphasis on both the hardware and software so that sustainable development can be pursued under "new ideas for revitalising Tai O".
In mid-2007, the Government commissioned a consultancy to study in detail the feasibility of various revitalisation proposals for Tai O. Public views collected through community forums and different channels supported an early implementation of the revitalisation plan.
"We understand the public urge for a quality living environment and heritage conservation. The Development Bureau has been set up to oversee planning, land use, urban renewal, public works and heritage conservation. It is our objective to strike a balance between development and heritage conservation. We have striven to adopt a pragmatic approach in this aspect and a partnership with the community in achieving our goal," she said.
Apart from the design competition, the Government will implement improvement works in Tai O to meet the more imminent needs of the local community. These include upgrading pedestrian safety facilities in the Tai O public transport terminus, providing a coach park at Yim Tin, a pilot scheme to restore disused saltpans, beautifying fences east of the mangrove area, installing telescopes at the dolphin-watching pavilions in Fu Shan and Kau San Tei, and interim flood protection works to protect flood prone areas on Wing On Street.
The competition is jointly organised by Development Bureau, Civil Engineering and Development Department, Planning Department, Islands District Office, Tai O Rural Committee, The Hong Kong Institute of Architects, The Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, The Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects, Hong Kong Institute of Planners, The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors, The Conservancy Association, Green Power and Hong Kong Young Women's Christian Association. Registration starts today and closes on April 21. Entries should be submitted before June 30.
The competition is divided into two groups - the professional group and open group. The former is open to all full/professional/fellow members of the professional institutes of architects, engineers, landscape architects, planners and surveyors. The open group is for the general public other than the professionals.
Details of the competition are available at the competition website: http://www.designcompetition-taio.com/
Ends/Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Issued at HKT 14:33
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