Hong Kong Kai Tak Airport Redevelopment

[hkskyline]

Activists land support
Paris Lord, HK Standard

http://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/operation/english/images/chp5/ch5_03.jpg
http://www.epd.gov.hk/eia/operation/english/chapter05_3.html

An international aviation organisation has "fully endorsed'' a campaign in the SAR to preserve part of the unused Kai Tak runway for general aviation and training future pilots.

The Federation Aeronautique Internationale (FAI), the 99-year-old world air sports federation based in Switzerland, wrote to the activists last week saying it supported their efforts.

The activists want to preserve 1,500 metres of the runway for recreational aircraft and redevelop its surroundings into tourist attractions with promenades and a giant Ferris wheel like the London Eye.

Since the airport moved to Chek Lap Kok in June 1998, the old runway has become home to a golf driving range, dozens of KMB buses and thousands of tonnes of sand.

It is "perhaps not well enough appreciated by the Hong Kong authorities what a legendary place Kai Tak occupies in the minds of people throughout the world aviation community'', federation secretary-general Max Bishop wrote.

Pilots of every nation knew of the Lion Rock approach even if they had not visited Hong Kong before the airport closed, he said.

But more important was the "green space'' the former airport offered, giving the territory's residents a "breathing space'' and supporting wildlife.

"A flourishing general aviation sector is vital to a community such as Hong Kong,'' Bishop said.

"Sporting confirmed aviation provides challenging and constructive educational opportunities to young people. And general aviation is the nursery of future professionals.''

It would be a "grave error'' if the government removed all opportunities for young people to learn how to fly.

SAR aviators now fly at the People's Liberation Army airstrip at Shek Kong. However, this is often closed at short notice, frustrating the flyers.

The Hong Kong Aviation Club remains in the Kai Tak grounds, but the government wants the land for redevelopment. Moving the clubhouse to the runway tip would help both parties.

Bishop said the federation believed redeveloping the tip of the runway would make money, create jobs and promote the territory's economic development.

"Hong Kong without an aviation training and general aviation industry could no longer aspire to the status of an international metropolis and tourist hub,'' he said.

Save Kai Tak campaign chairman Francis Chin, who has lobbied for more than a year to preserve the runway, could not be reached for comment on Tuesday. However, in an e-mail containing the letter from the FAI last week, Chin said the reply was "very encouraging''.

A Civil Aviation Department spokeswoman said: "The future development of the former Kai Tak Airport falls under the purview of the planning authorities. The department will provide comments on technical and flight safety issues to the government when required.''

Kai Tak is part of the South East Kowloon district awaiting redevelopment. In 2001, the government proposed housing 260,000 people within the district, which also included a cruise terminal and Olympic size stadium. But the plans included reclaiming 133 hectares around the old runway.

After the Court of Final Appeal ruled in January that any future reclamation within the harbour had to meet an "overriding public needs test'', the government sent the plans back for review. The Planning Department announced on Tuesday that the City Planning-Maunsell joint venture had won a HK$6.9 million 16 month contract to review the plan, which now includes a "no or minimum reclamation'' condition.

A Planning Department spokesman said officials from the department had met the Kai Tak campaigners several times and they were welcome to present their suggestions to the consultants. Public consultation on development of the district will begin in late August or early September.

21 July 2004 / 02:55 AM

[zergcerebrates]

They should just develop that area whether its office or residential and offer a park. Using it for training pilots is a waste of land. Theres tons of other airports out there where you can train pilots, and nowadays theres virtual cockpit.

[Sexas]

^ I agree, Old Hong Kong airport is too expansive for pilots training camp....lol, I don't think the Hong Kong Aviation Club can even pay for the land tax of the runway.

[FM 2258]

That's valuable land that can be used for several 1500+ foot supertall skyscrapes. They should cover it with residental and commercial development. If you want to see green in Hong Kong you can head to the hills.

Building very tall skyscrapers would be the most efficient use of the land. I don't think I'd want pilots "learning" to fly in the heart of Hong Kong. Better chance they'll mess up and land into a building. They should develop the Kai Tak land with a project bigger and taller than Union Square in Kowloon. :)

[hkskyline]

Government Press Release :
Reply by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council

Following is a question by the Hon Wong Sing-chi and a written reply by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (June 9, 2004):

Question:
Regarding the development plan for the former Kai Tak Airport site, will the Government inform this Council of:

(a) the details of the plan, including the planning restrictions to be imposed, such as the restrictions on building height and development density, as well as the maximum area of land for development and the maximum floor area permitted; and

(b) the total cost of the development plan?

Reply:

President,

My answers to the two parts of the above question are as follows:

(a) The South East Kowloon Development ("SEKD") includes the former Kai Tak Airport site and is covered by the approved Kai Tak (North) and Kai Tak (South) Outline Zoning Plans ("OZP"). The maximum building heights specified in these two OZPs vary from 13 to 205 metres above Principal Datum. With regard to the development density, the domestic plot ratios range from 3 to 7.5 and non-domestic plot ratios range from 0.5 to 12. The maximum permitted gross floor area is 7.98 million square metres.

According to the above two OZPs, the original maximum area of land for development in SEKD is about 457 hectares, of which 133 hectares will be reclaimed land. In view of the "overriding public need test" laid down by the Court of Final Appeal ("CFA") on January 9, 2004 regarding reclamation, the Administration has decided to conduct a comprehensive planning and engineering review on SEKD to ensure full compliance with the CFA judgment. It is expected that when the review is completed, there will be changes to the above planning parameters and restrictions.

(b) The cost of implementing the above two OZPs is originally estimated to be about $26.6 billion. However, as the project is currently under review, the figure will need to be re-assessed.

[FM 2258]

Why would there be a height limit in that area? Isn't the new airport far enough to do away with height restrictions?

[DiggerD21]

They should transform part of it into a nice park and the rest into commercial and residential zones. The park will raise the life quality in the district.

And they can use the runway as a highway when they build a bridge at the end. :jk:

[hkskyline]

Height limit consultations
Staff reporter, HK Standard

The government has begun consultations to obtain views on changing the building height restrictions in Kowloon Bay and Kwun Tung. The height restrictions were imposed because the districts were in the flight path of the former Kai Tak airport, which closed in mid-1998.

The government said yesterday the community wanted to preserve its views to the ridgelines and mountains around the harbour. "In view of considerable development and redevelopment pressures facing the areas, we find it necessary to update the planning framework, including building height control, to guide the transformation,'' a Planning Department spokesman said.

"While preservation of views to ridgelines is one of the primary considerations, local area context has also been taken into account. Our objective is to maintain visually compatible height profiles in the wider setting.''

The height limit proposals will become part of town planning statutes and were recommended in a 2003 study, "Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong.'' The two-month consultation includes a public forum on June 26, with submissions due before July 13.

Further details are available from the Planning Department's website, the Kwun Tong district office and the government offices in North Point.

15 May 2004 / 01:42 AM

[zergcerebrates]

Arrgh..They wanna see the views! Who doesn't? HKGov can't please everyone, but they gotta develop that area and remove the height restrictions.

[hkskyline]

A major influence on the height restriction follows complaints that huge skyscrapers that have popped up in the area after Kai Tak closed were inappropriately placed. For example, Harbourfront Landmark was a monster right by the water. The government didn't want a building spree to cover up the ridges behind Kowloon. Lion Rock is a major focal point and planners wanted to keep it visible.

On the other hand, several skyscrapers have already popped up in the area behind the Kai Tak site. Also, considering that Kai Tak is not a very desirable site for upper class housing, since it is surrounded by the older neighbors of the Kowloon City slum and the industrial area in Kwun Tong, it is unlikely that developers will be rushing in to build 70-storey residential highrises like in West Kowloon. Rather, it seems the bulk of the project will be public housing apartments, which typically rise about 40 stories. There is still a lot of uncertainty about the project, but the government has emphasized the development will revolve around a 'green city' theme - roads will be buried underground and pedestrian activity will be emphasized.

Here is a statement from the Town Planning Board :

http://www.info.gov.hk/tpb/harbour/images/k_08.jpg

A stepped height profile with developments ascending from the edges of the Victoria Harbour towards the hinterland to protect the views to the Kowloon ridgelines from key vantage points on Hong Kong Island and to maximize harbour views.

Building height restrictions are stipulated for most of the sites within the area and are delineated by building height control zones.

More information :
http://www.info.gov.hk/tpb/harbour/en/kaitaknorth_e.htm

[hkskyline]

http://www.info.gov.hk/yearbook/2001/photo/ep08-05.jpg

Notice in this graphic published in the Hong Kong 2001 yearbook that there is a huge park near the top. That is the Lion Rock viewing corridor. The residential developments around it will house about 250,000 people. The cruise terminal at the edge of the runway might be moved to another location. There have been conflicting bids for a new terminal on both sides of the harbour for the past few years.

[zergcerebrates]

Built those new residential bldgs and demolish the old ones behind Kaitak and offer them a new place to stay, a better one of course.

[hkskyline]

There is some redevelopment in Kwun Tong, which sits behind the Kai Tak site. It is an old industrial area and some skyscrapers have popped up, such as Enterprise 3.

[Chibcha2k]

sad to see that jewel of aviation dissapear, but what makes me more even sad, is that i missed a landing on kai tak myself...
...well i'll have to conform with my grandpa's tales about going to hong kong in the early 90s

[Solblanc]

yeah, its sad indeed. I'd remember as a kid when I'd be landing in kai tak, I'd be looking out the window and see nothing but water, even though I can feel the landing gears touch the ground...

but chek lap kok is a much prettier airport to transit in.

[BruceAlmighty]

=hkskyline
Notice in this graphic published in the Hong Kong 2001 yearbook that there is a huge park near the top. That is the Lion Rock viewing corridor. The residential developments around it will house about 250,000 people. The cruise terminal at the edge of the runway might be moved to another location. There have been conflicting bids for a new terminal on both sides of the harbour for the past few years.

There will also apparently be reference to the spits original usage. Look at the bottom right and you can see some aircraft parked (at an aviation museum maybe?) at what was once the end of the runway.

[hkskyline]

http://www.info.gov.hk/planning/p_study/prog_s/sek_dev/bg.jpg

http://www.info.gov.hk/planning/p_study/prog_s/sek_dev/plan1.jpg

http://www.info.gov.hk/planning/p_study/prog_s/sek_dev/plan2.jpg

More Information :
South East Kowloon Development
Comprehensive Planning and Engineering Review
Stage 1 : Planning Review [Feasibility Study]
http://www.info.gov.hk/planning/p_study/prog_s/sek_dev/index_e.htm

[natethetransitfreak]

I miss Kai Tak. Wish they'd preserve something from it, perhaps the old Passenger Terminal Building

[Taipei101]

I'd rather go through with the town plan rather than the pilot training.

[Taipei101]

The area around the airport, Kowloon, should be redeveloped too.

[hkskyline]

Public to get say over Kai Tak
Dennis Chong
September 18, 2004

The redevelopment of the long-abandoned Kai Tak airport is back in the public's court.

The Planning Department said on Friday that local people would decide on the future of the once-fabled airport but added one rider - that Hong Kong needed a new cruise terminal and that the best site for that would be at Kai Tak.

Officials said the cruise terminal would not come into operation until 2015 at the earliestReclamation would be necessary to make the project feasible.

At a briefing yesterday, the department said a one-year public consultation exercise on the redevelopment of 328 hectares of land and 133 hectares of potential reclamation had already begun.

But unlike other government consultation exercises, where the public gets to comment on plans already drawn up, the department said the public could "sound their aspirations on the future of Kai Tak however they wanted''.

"In the past the public has shown opposition to a consultation with preferred options. This time, we will take broader views from the public,'' said Iris Tam, a private urban planner representing the government in the review process.

In January, the Court of Final Appeal ordered the government to rethink its various reclamation projects, including the southeast Kowloon site by the old airport. The government took bids from consultants in the overall review.

The department said the consultation would be based on the principle that "there could be no reclamation''.

Any reclamation would have to meet an "overriding public need test'' set out by the court.

Although officials reiterated the public was being given a free hand on deciding Kai Tak's future, they also listed a host of options, devised over the past decade, and the constraints in fulfilling them without reclamation.

"The government hopes to have a permanent cruise terminal and believes that Kai Tak is the best site,'' said assistant planning director Anthony Kwan.

Tam said the old runway could only hold up to two liners, instead of the four that would be possible if the port was built on reclaimed land.

"We are not going to throw out a piece of blank paper. We have been studying the project for more than 10 years,'' Tam said.

Besides the cruise terminal, the government said the site was also earmarked for various developments in the original plan, which included a 50,000-seat multi-purpose stadium, a domestic and cross-boundary heliport, a metropolitan park and a refuse transfer station.

In the original plan, the government had proposed a new town for 260,000 residents incorporated into the site. The population level, however, could be reviewed.

Raymond Lee, Kowloon district planning officer, said should there be no reclamation, more money would have to be spent on designing the site to fit in with the district.

"It [the land] will be able to contain the components, but a review would be needed to decide whether or not they will fit with each other,'' he said.

Christine Loh, chairperson of Society for the Protection of the Harbour, said the government needed a "genuinely open mind during consultation''.

"The government has had a long-time habit of assuming its choices were best,'' she said.




Copyright 2004, The Standard, Sing Tao Newspaper Group and Global China Group. All rights reserved. No content may be redistributed or republished, either eletronically or in print, without express written consent of The Standard.

[hkskyline]

http://www.info.gov.hk/planning/p_study/prog_s/sek_09/website_chib5_eng/chinese_b5/area.jpg

[hkskyline]

Kai Tak Redevelopment
http://www.info.gov.hk/planning/p_study/prog_s/sek_09/website_chib5_eng/english/index.html

Study Background
The previous studies on South East Kowloon Development (named as “Kai Tak” thereafter) focused on optimization of development potential of the ex-airport site with reclamation in the adjacent water bodies. The previous planning concepts have envisaged the Kai Tak site as “City within a City” and “Environmentally Friendly City”. Apart from a variety of housing developments, the planned tourism node with cruise terminal, multi-purpose stadium and metropolitan park have been the key features of Kai Tak proposed in the current development scheme.

Due to the Judgment of the Court of Final Appeal on the draft Wan Chai North Outline Zoning Plan handed down in January 2004, the presumption against harbour reclamation can only be rebutted by meeting the overriding public need test.

Under the current Outline Zoning Plans for Kai Tak, about 30% of the development scheme area would require reclamation in the harbour area. The main purpose of this study is to review the current development scheme in a comprehensive manner with “no reclamation” as the starting point.

Study Objectives
According to the Judgment of the Court of Final Appeal on the draft Wan Chai North Outline Zoning Plan handed down in January 2004, the presumption against harbour reclamation can only be rebutted by meeting the overriding public need. The major objective of the present Study is to conduct a comprehensive planning review of Kai Tak. The Study should start with “no-reclamation” scenario to formulate a new development concept for the ex-Kai Tak Airport site to guide its redevelopment.
The specific objectives of the Study are:
- To formulate a new development concept for Kai Tak
- To build public consensus throughout the study process
- To bring the people to the Harbour and the Harbour to the people and enhance its connectivity with the adjacent districts
- To create a coherent community supported by a variety of commercial, social and recreational facilities
- To attain high urban design and landscaping qualities for Kai Tak based on an environmentally-friendly principle

Key Tasks
The key tasks of the study are:
- To review the current proposals for Kai Tak and to establish the essential development and infrastructure components
- To enhance public engagement throughout the study process
- To formulate options of Outline Concept Plan and to prepare a draft Preliminary Outline Development Plan setting out detailed land use proposals
- To undertake preliminary technical assessments to confirm broad feasibility of the land use proposals

[hkskyline]

Copyright 2004 South China Morning Post Ltd.
September 19, 2004
SECTION: NEWS; Pg. 3

We must preserve Kai Tak control tower, say lobbyists
Raymond Ma

The landmark control tower at the former Kai Tak airport could disappear from Hong Kong's radar screen altogether when it is pulled down before the end of the year to make way for a new development.

But a consensus is emerging that the tower, a beacon for more than 30 years for air traffic through Hong Kong, should be rebuilt to help preserve the city's heritage.

Opened in 1925 and expanded many times as the city prospered, Kai Tak is seen by many as synonymous with Hong Kong's meteoric rise as an international city.

Even though the control tower was not built until the mid-1960s, it is regarded as a symbol of Kai Tak.

The government wants to turn the 300-hectare airport site into a centre for tourism, culture and transport, tearing down the tower because it is attached to the main terminal, which is sitting on the site of a proposed subway station.

"We want the structure to be rebuilt somewhere," said Wong Kam-chi, chairman of the Wong Tai Sin District Council, which has been at the forefront of efforts to preserve the tower.

"It doesn't matter whether it's going to be in a form of a restaurant or a museum. We need to keep it as a souvenir to remind people that this is the old Kai Tak control tower."

A civil engineering department spokeswoman said a study had begun on the feasibility of rebuilding the tower and finding a suitable spot in the redeveloped district.

Any decision is unlikely to be announced until at least February, when the government unveils plans for the district based on feedback from the public, according to a consultation exercise launched on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the government has said engineers will make detailed cartographic and photographic records of the tower.

It will also dismantle and preserve the familiar metal window frames to be reused should the tower be rebuilt.

Hong Kong Air Traffic Association vice-president Phil Parker agreed the tower should be rebuilt.

"My personal view is that it should be part of a Hong Kong transport museum. Hong Kong wouldn't have existed without the airport," he said.

Mr Parker, an air-traffic-control instructor with experience at both the new and old airports, said the Kai Tak control tower would be missed.

"We didn't always have the most state-of-the-art equipment up there, but the operating environment was unique and everybody who worked there thoroughly enjoyed it," he said.

"We have more advanced equipment at Chek Lap Kok but you don't have the intimacy," he said, referring to the proximity of the tower to the runway.

"There was a can-do atmosphere. They had to make that airport work for the prosperity of Hong Kong. Everybody put the effort in and felt they were part of the system. At the new airport you just feel like you are another cog in the wheel."

[hkskyline]

Copyright 2004 South China Morning Post Ltd.
October 5, 2004

Aviators hope to save Kai Tak runway
JESSIE HUI

An aviation enthusiast is calling for the public's support in a bid to save the runway at the old Kai Tak airport.

Francis Chin, chairman of the Save Kai Tak campaign, is organising an e-mail drive while the government is asking the public to provide opinions and visions for the redevelopment of Kai Tak.

"After the High Court ruling to suspend reclamation in Victoria Harbour, the government has scrapped all previous plans to turn Kai Tak into a residential/commercial area," said Mr Chin.

"That means we still have our chance to preserve the legendary Kai Tak runway for civil aviation education and affordable flight training for our younger generations."

The Save Kai Tak campaign aims to set up an aviation park with a runway for light aircraft.

The goal is to develop aviation education and training in order to nurture pilots and aviation professionals for the industry.

It will also be developed as a tourist spot with a land-sea-air museum and sightseeing trips in light aircraft, hot air balloons, airships or a mono-rail.

The runway will supply enough land for aviation and sports facilities, as well as permanent accommodation for various aviation organisations including the Hong Kong Aviation Club, the Hong Kong Air Cadet Corps and the Historical Aircraft Association.

"General aviation is an important part of developed economies. It can bring economic benefits in terms of pilot training, aircraft manufacturing, aero -sporting and tourism," Mr Chin said.

"I hope the public can help by joining the One Person, One E-mail Campaign. We hope to reach a target of a million views in order to help the Planning Department in making their decision on the best use of Kai Tak - for the sustainable development of aviation, pilot training, creation of employment, improvement of the quality of life of the people of Hong Kong in terms of sports, recreation and leisure, and the promotion of tourism."

For details about the Kai Tak redevelopment plan, visit http:www.info.gov.hk/ planning/p_study/prog_s/sek_ 09/website_chib5_eng/ english/index.html. A series of public forums and a workshop will be held in the coming weeks. Public comments should reach the Kowloon office of the Planning Department by November 17 by post, a fax to 2894 9502 or e-mail kdpo@pland.gov.hk

[hkskyline]

Taken by cxmpo on Oct. 4, 2004 and posted on HKADB :

http://hkadb.no-ip.org/hkadb/forum/files/img_0090.jpg

[hkskyline]

Public Consultation Process
Forums to gauge Kai Tak development views

State your case: Three public forums and a community workshop will be held between October 16 and November 6 to collect views on the development of Kai Tak.

Public views on the development of the former Kai Tak airport site and its surroundings will be garnered in three public forums and a community workshop between October 16 and November 6.

The events are part of the Kai Tak planning review's stage one public participation, launched in the middle of last month.

* forum one will be held at 2.30pm, October 16 at Lung Cheung Mall, Wong Tai Sin;
* forum two at 2.30pm, October 23 at Kowloon City Plaza;
* forum three at 2.30pm, October 30 at Telford Plaza II, Kowloon Bay; and,
* the workshop will be held at 2.30pm, November 6 at City University's Community College, Telford Plaza, Kowloon Bay.

Waterfront areas at To Kwa Wan, Ma Tau Kok, Kowloon Bay, Kwun Tong and Cha Kwo Ling are included in the review.

Stage two of the public participation, scheduled for early next year, aims to put forward different options outlining a concept plan for discussion in the community, Meanwhile stage three, which will take place in the middle of next year, will engage the public in drafting a preliminary development plan.

http://www.info.gov.hk/planning/p_study/prog_s/sek_09/website_chib5_eng/english/processchart_e.gif

[hkskyline]

What Should Happen to Kai Tak? RTHK
21/09/2004

http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/radio3/backchat/20040921.html

Guests:
- Dr. Chan Wai Kwan Chairman Subcomittee on South East Kowloon Development
- Patrick Lau Legislator Elect
- Michael Chang Member Urban Watch
- Francis Chin Chairman Save Kai Tak Campaign
- Joanlin Au Honorary Architect Save Kai Tak Campaign
- Anthony Kwan Assistant Director Planning Department

[hkskyline]

South China Morning Post
July 28, 2004

Polluted Kai Tak channel falls under the spotlight; Court ruling on harbour reclamation should not apply, claim architects

Chloe Lai

The notoriously filthy channel at the former Kai Tak airport should not be protected under the "no reclamation" court ruling handed down earlier this year, academics and architects said yesterday.

The opinions were offered at the first meeting of the Southeast Kowloon Development Review sub-group, which is considering development ideas for the Harbour Ordinance-covered site.

The review follows a Court of Final Appeal ruling in January that harbour reclamation can proceed only if it meets the principle of "overriding public need".

The channel runs along the length of the old airport runway and is notorious as a dumping ground for domestic sewage and industrial effluent.

Environmentalists have raised concerns about the highly polluted sediment and stagnant water in the channel.

Thomas Tso Man-tai, deputy secretary for housing, planning and lands, told the meeting: "If we reclaim the channel, we will be in conflict with the law. But if we don't, the channel is a nuisance."

Vincent Ng Wing-shun, of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, said good urban design and planning were more important than rigidly following the no -reclamation rule. "For me, the channel is a hole on a shirt. For the shirt to be useful, the hole must be fixed."

Jim Chi-yung, a professor of geography at the University of Hong Kong, said: "If we don't reclaim the channel, we will have a long and narrow runway, which will be difficult to" build on. "I don't see why we should not reclaim the channel."

But Lee Wai-king, a member of Kowloon City District Council, said residents were divided over the fate of the channel.

A review of the Kai Tak site will begin next month with the first concept plan expected to be ready by November next year.

The government originally planned to reclaim 133 hectares of the harbour as part of a scheme to transform the area into a low-density "green town" that would house 260,000.

It has since promised to try to avoid any reclamation and promised to consult the public during the early stages of the review.

With population growth slowing in recent years, the government has still not set a target for the housing requirements at the site.

The review will also determine whether the site can house a cruise terminal, a multi-purpose stadium and a heliport, even if there is no reclamation.

The government's planning consultant, Iris Tam Siu-ying, told the meeting the site would be an extensive green belt in the future.

"It may not be in the form of a big park, but there will be green belt extending along the shoreline," she said.

[raymond_tung88]

I completely agree with the "green city" theme. I'd like to see residential blocks and medium-height office towers there and mostly concentrated pedestrian activity. I think in general that that is the best idea. Your thoughts?

[hkskyline]

http://www.fotop.net/albums/netwr/misc/kt.jpg

[hkskyline]

Here are some photos of the Hong Kong Aviation Club stationed at Kai Tak by cx505 @ HKADB :

http://hk.geocities.com/abrahamchan513/outside.JPG

http://hk.geocities.com/abrahamchan513/r22far.JPG

http://hk.geocities.com/abrahamchan513/r22closeup.JPG

http://hk.geocities.com/abrahamchan513/r22panel.JPG

http://hk.geocities.com/abrahamchan513/r44.JPG

http://hk.geocities.com/abrahamchan513/yellowr22.JPG

http://hk.geocities.com/abrahamchan513/mooney.JPG

[hkskyline]

November 4, 2004
Cruise terminal proposals to be invited

Proposals will be invited for the development of a cruise terminal facility to meet Hong Kong's medium-term needs.

After its bi-monthly meeting today, the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee said the exercise aims to solicit innovative proposals and will allow flexibility for the private sector to forward proposals on the location, development and operation of the terminal.

The tip of the former Kai Tak airport runway is the preferred site for facilities meeting long-term demand, and the entire planning review process, including the statutory procedures, is expected to be completed in early 2008.

Some committee members expressed concern over the possible future location of the terminal and its impact on the overall design and planning of the harbour front, and the environmental impact assessment and the public participation processes the exercise will go through. The Commissioner of Tourism vowed to carefully consider the views expressed by members.

Submission arrangements endorsed

The committee endorsed arrangements for handling submissions and requests for presentation made to it by individuals or organisations.

The committee should adopt an open-door policy and welcome private submissions and requests for presentation, Committee Chairman Professor Lee Chack-fan said.

Special meetings will be held quarterly to brief members on the requests for presentation and the meetings will be open to the public.

Between special meetings, relevant sub-committees may discuss submissions and requests for presentation as the chairmen and members of the sub-committees deem appropriate or necessary.

Central Zoning Plan

The Society for Protection of the Harbour gave a presentation on its rezoning request in relation to the Central District (Extension) Outline Zoning Plan.

The Planning Department also briefed members on the planning intention of the plan, the rationale behind the planned land use, and the consultation and funding process leading to the plan's finalisation.

In order not to pre-empt discussion by the Town Planning Board, the committee will keep in view the decision of the board and respect the due process that the society's request has to go through.

"As regards the future land use of the reclaimed land, the sub-committee on the Wan Chai Development Phase II Review will further discuss the matter as necessary," Professor Lee said.

The next committee meeting will be held on January 13.

[Fabio]

really great news.

:okay:

[hkskyline]

Air-traffic controllers join bid to reinstate tower at Kai Tak
Raymond Ma
01 May 2005
South China Morning Post

A pressure group has been formed to bolster a campaign seeking to replace the air-traffic control tower at Kai Tak airport that was taken down last month.

Save Kai Tak Now has requested the government rebuild the tower to service a short runway that could be used to train pilots, and as a base for the Hong Kong Flying Club.

The lobby group's director, Francis Chin, said he submitted the proposal at the behest of air-traffic control union members who felt nostalgic for their former workplace.

But the plan has met fierce opposition from officials.

The government - which wants to turn the 300-hectare site into a centre for tourism, culture and transport - tore down the tower because it was on the site of a proposed subway station.

Wong Tai Sin District Council earlier launched a campaign seeking to rebuild the tower in an alternative form, such as a museum, to preserve it as an icon.

A government spokeswoman said a decision on whether to rebuild the tower would be made at a later stage of the review into the Kai Tak redevelopment, which began in September.

"We would take into account comments received from the community on the ex-air traffic control tower and the technical assessments from concerned departments in preparing the land-use framework for Kai Tak," she said.

The tower was carefully disassembled when it was taken down. The steel frame will undergo anti-corrosion treatment, and along with other parts, stored in a watertight container until a decision is made on whether it will be rebuilt.

Kai Tak Airport opened in 1925 and its expansion mirrored Hong Kong's growth as an international city.

The last control tower to be built there went up in the mid-1960s, and for 30 years guided commercial aircraft down the famous approach to the airport, in which passenger airliners barely cleared the rooftops of Kowloon City as they banked to land.

Air-traffic controllers at Chek Lap Kok who were previously at Kai Tak have said they enjoyed working at the old control tower because of its unusually close proximity to the notorious runway 13.

[hkskyline]

Kai Tak's aviation center bid grounded
Doug Crets
26 April 2005
The Standard

The director of an independent advocacy group says the Planning Department is turning its back on efforts to allow storied Kai Tak airport to be a center for general aviation in addition to its planned role as a cruise ship terminal.

Francis Chin, a retired doctor and director of the Save Kai Tak campaign, which is working with the Planning Department and other groups to decide what is to be done with the old airfield, says the government threw an obstacle in its path that could ruin Hong Kong's future in general aviation.

He says the Planning Department and the Civil Aviation Department (CAD) have put excessive constraints on his group's plans for a runway by insisting on international-standard restrictions on the length and height of the runway.

As an alternative, Chin is proposing a shorter runway and changes to the setup of the airfield, which he hopes to give to the Planning Department before they go forward with the next stage of the decision-making process.

In a letter addressed to Anthony TK Kwan, Assistant Director of the Planning Department and Kelvin Chan, chairman of the subcommittee for Southeast Kowloon Development, Chin explains that during a March 19 meeting, ``the Planning Department put forward some obstacle limitation requirement presented by [the] Civil Aviation Department on a code 2(b) runway according to Annex 14 of International Civil Aviation Organization [ICAO] standard[s].''

According to Chin, the Planning Department objected to a code 2 runway _ primarily used for light aircraft _ on the grounds the ICAO standards did not allow such runways to operate that close to passengers or cruise liners.

ICAO is the governing body for civil aviation standards around the world. However, consultants at the Federation Aeronatique International, the world air sports federation, including its Secretary General, have told Chin that ICAO standards are ``guidelines'' that can be catered to individual countries and runways, keeping the specific limitations of that location into consideration.

They do not expressly forbid such a runway, Chin said.

If the ICAO was that strictly followed,``Kai Tak would have been closed down 46 years ago, ``because of its reputation as having the most dangerous approach in the world,'' he said.

Common practice before the old airfield was closed was for pilots to take the ``Kai Tak Attack,'' which took Boeing 747 jumbo jets and other large jet aircraft within a few hundred meters of apartment buildings as they banked sharply over Kowloon City into Kai Tak. Passengers thrilled to looking into the windows of Hong Kong apartment dwellers as they descended into the city.

The Planning Department is aiming to make Kai Tak exclusively a cruise terminal for international ships, said Chin. They are using the idea that airplanes would come too close to people and buildings as a way of keeping out Save Kai Tak's plan to further general aviation in Hong Kong.

But Kai Tak is currently the only venue that could support a sustained general aviation training ground for local pilots who currently have to spend years overseas to learn how to fly commercial jets, Chin told The Standard.

In his letter, Chin claims to have solved the problem by shortening his proposed 1,060-meter original stretch to 799 meters. Besides, by elevating the runway 21 meters, he writes: ``There is no foreseeable obstacle limitation.''

The ICAO has four standards of runways, established as code 1, 2, 3 and 4. Code 4 runways are for large commercial aircraft. Code 1, said Chin, could support the kind of aircraft used in training young pilots for flight school.

Each runway has minimum standards for distance, height and regulations on where airplanes can fly on their approach to the runway. Smaller planes suitable for Kai Tak could also be used in the Pearl River Delta.

According to Chin's website devoted to aviation, ``The Chek Lap Kok Airport is not as good as you think. It is genetically designed only for general passenger and cargo transportation and is disabled for general aviation activities.'' ``There is no public consultation in this consultation,'' said Chin. He said the process reminded him a little of the West Kowloon Cultural District consultation and the government's insistence on a single developer.

``The board already has it in their mind what they want. [At the March 19 meeting] they told me to sit down and to not waste anyone else's time,'' said Chin.

The Planning Department's public consultation does provide room for a runway. Requests for further comment from the department on the issue were not answered.

The public consultation process is expected to conclude in 2008, after the views of all of the 30 groups considered by the Civil Engineering and Development Department have been reviewed.

[Cheese Mmmmmmmmmmmm]

I can't believe how little Kai Tak has changed since it closed seven years ago. They need to get moving on this! :)

[Q-TIP]

Even a helipad area could be a compromise for the HK Aviation club

[hkskyline]

The redevelopment plan for Kai Tak will take about a decade or more. The land needs to be decontaminated and it's unlikely construction for all of it will begin at the same time to maintain the stability of the property market.

Many aviation enthusiasts want a general aviation airport. Chek Lap Kok is geared towards commercial aviation, and with the local airlines trying to recruit more pilots at home, there is a demand for general aviation facilities.

[Cheese Mmmmmmmmmmmm]

^ I'm graduating in August with a BS in Nuclear Engineering. You think Dragonair'll take me for their cadet pilot programme? :)

Seriously... it'd be a dream come true.

[bs_lover_boy]

I miss Kai Tak. Wish they'd preserve something from it, perhaps the old Passenger Terminal Building

That Building will be demolished and make way for the Depot of the Shatin-Central Link (Railway Line Depot)

[Cheese Mmmmmmmmmmmm]

Why is it that Kai Tak's land is contaminated? Is this a problem with all airports or just this one and why? :cheers:

[hkskyline]

Jet fuel was stored under the tarmac, and over time, leakages have contaminated the soil and work was needed to clean it up before any further development can take place.

[Cheese Mmmmmmmmmmmm]

Ahhh that's right, I forgot about jet fuel tanks. :)

[hkskyline]

The 70,000-seat stadium planned for Kai Tak
Chan Kin-wa
12 May 2005
South China Morning Post

The $5 billion state-of-the-art stadium being proposed by the government for the development of the former Kai Tak airport site would have a maximum capacity of 70,000.

The design also includes a retractable roof to minimise the impact of noise from the venue.

A conceptual design by the Architectural Services Department shows that the 24-hectare complex would comprise three major venues. The main stadium would have a minimum seating capacity of 50,000 with the capability of extending this to 70,000 for hosting international events and ceremonies. The design also features a secondary warm-up stadium with a minimum capacity of 5,000 and an aquatic centre with a minimum capacity of 4,000.

A government source said there was a need for a multi-purpose stadium to better support high-performance athletes in Hong Kong, as well as to provide facilities for a wide range of sports, entertainment, cultural and community events.

The department inspected a number of world-class stadiums in the region before drawing up the Kai Tak design. They included the International Stadium in Yokohama, Japan, Pusan Asian Stadium in South Korea, the National Stadium Bukit Jalil, Malaysia, and Oita Main Stadium in Japan.

The government source said the intention was to provide state-of-the-art facilities which would be unique to the region.

The main stadium would be equipped with a retractable roof so that different events could be held in all weather conditions, and would also minimise noise impact.

A movable spectator stand has also been proposed to cater for varying sizes of playing surface for different sports.

"The aim is to bring spectators as close as possible to the action," said the source.

The playing surface in the main stadium would be highly adaptable, with two main approaches considered - a sliding surface, which could be adapted to accommodate different sports, and a palleted flooring system where different sections of the main playing area could be removed.

The conceptual design has been submitted by the department to the Sports Commission for discussion.

"Since the project costs an estimated $5 billion, the government will certainly take a cautious approach before any concrete plan is adopted. The sustainability of the stadium complex will also be studied, as it is estimated that the operating costs will not be less than $100 million a year," the source said.

Consideration has been given to relocating the Hong Kong Sports Institute, currently based in Sha Tin, to the new facilities in southeast Kowloon if the plan goes ahead.

[Cheese Mmmmmmmmmmmm]

OH BABY THAT WOULD BE AWESOME!!! :) :) :) :) :)

The only thing sad about it is... first they plan the cultural center to be in Kowloon, now the main stadiums'll be in Kowloon... the ol' Island's not goint to have anything left! :(

I do like the design of Hong Kong's current football stadium that's located on the island... but its capacity seemed a bit undersized for a city of 7 million. :)

[hkskyline]

There seems to be a lot of plans for Kai Tak. In addition to a pollution-free city and a cruise terminal at the tip of the runway, now there is a football stadium. The location was singled out for the facility in Hong Kong's bid for the Asian Games, but it was quietly shelved following Doha's win.

[ailiton]

That Building will be demolished and make way for the Depot of the Shatin-Central Link (Railway Line Depot)

No la. They decided not to build a depot at Kai Depot because there's already one at Tai Wai.

[hkskyline]

Officials urged to speed up $5b stadium project; 'We lag far behind our Asian counterparts'
Chan Kin-wa
15 May 2005
South China Morning Post

The sports community is urging the government to speed up procedures to implement the development of the proposed $5 billion stadium complex at the former Kai Tak airport.

At a meeting of the Sports Commission earlier this week, members of the sports community strongly supported the proposed Southeast Kowloon Stadium complex, presented in the form of conceptual design by the Architectural Services Department. However, they also urged the government to accelerate the project.

"We all support the proposal of building a stadium complex for Hong Kong sports, and would be delighted if the project started sooner and no later," said Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, president of the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, and a member of the Sports Commission.

"Sport in Hong Kong needs a landmark. It is essential. Just like the development of a cultural centre in western Kowloon, there should be one for sport.

"Once we have built such a world-class stadium, we would be able to lure more international events to Hong Kong so we can become Asia's real sports capital."

Fok said that with the approach of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the 2009 East Asian Games in Hong Kong and the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, the government should make use of such a good opportunity to foster a sports culture in Hong Kong and the construction of a world-class stadium should be part of it.

It is understood that another round of public consultations for the development of the former Kai Tak airport will start later this year and the entire planning process, including residential, recreation and commercial features - such as a cruise ship terminal - is expected to be completed by 2008, which would delay the start of construction of the stadium.

"We did inquire about the possibility of putting the stadium plan before other projects of the Kai Tak developmentt but as far as I understand, it will be very difficult," said Herman Hu Shao-ming, who is also a member of the Sports Commission and chairman of its major sports event committee.

"The plan to build a world-class facility for Hong Kong sports has come a long way and is long overdue. The sports community fully backs such a proposal and wants to see it launch as soon as possible," said Hu. "Hong Kong is a modern city with well-developed infrastructures in all aspects. However, when it comes to a world-class sports facility, we lag far behind our Asian counterparts and this is quite shameful."

Hu said he understood the project would involve a lot of public resources and agreed that the model of private sector involvement in a large-scale project similar to the western Kowloon one should be considered seriously.

Another Sports Commission member, Victor Hui Chun-fui, who is also chairman of its elite sports committee, said the Hong Kong Sports Institute, currently located in Sha Tin as the elite training centre for Hong Kong's athletes, should be moved to the stadium complex when it was completed.

Chief executive of the institute Chung Pak-kwong agreed that Hong Kong needed a world-class stadium, but said the government should plan carefully if they included a training facility there.

"The stadium is mainly for hosting competitions or other social events. Its requirement is quite different from a training centre. The [institute] has been in Sha Tin for more than 20 years with a lot facilities being worn out. We would be happy if the government has such a plan to rebuild the centre but they must get the involvement of experts in the field," said Chung.

[bs_lover_boy]

No la. They decided not to build a depot at Kai Depot because there's already one at Tai Wai.

Then That building will stand "abandoned" for at least another while until the area starts to develop!!

[hkskyline]

Here are some photos of airplane landings by dynasty641 from HKADB :

http://carnoc.mh35.com/bbs/upload_file/200505230729349547.jpg

http://carnoc.mh35.com/bbs/upload_file/200505230512536374.jpg

[satit28]

Concorde..........
miss it........
now it's history..........

[Cheese Mmmmmmmmmmmm]

^ It truly was a step back to see the Concorde retired without a more modern and larger SST to take its place. And now we've got "small" widebodies making 19 hour passenger flights like the 777 and A340. It's time we start implementing the technology we've come up with for SSTs in the past three decades! :cheers: :cheers:

I found this eBay auction kind of neat, this person was selling old Kai Tak photos:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6178562357

It's kinda cool to see how the Harbour looked back then, and how the 2 runways were laid out on shore:

http://i7.ebayimg.com/03/i/04/10/1e/49_1_b.JPG

[hkskyline]

A few more photos by Gakei (http://www.gakei.com) :

http://hkadb.no-ip.org/hkadb/forum/files/g-civj.jpg

http://hkadb.no-ip.org/hkadb/forum/files/g-bdxf.jpg

Gakei's aviation photos : http://www.gakei.com/hkaec/index.html

[hkskyline]

The old parking lot, where many enthusiasts took pictures of planes making their final approach to Kai Tak :

http://net4.hkbu.edu.hk/~03009513/adb/kaitak01.jpg

By K.H. Ng from HKADB.

[hkskyline]

June 15, 2005
Ways to expedite Kai Tak review under study

The outline concept plans for Kai Tak will be ready for discussion by September and revision to the outline zoning plan will be completed by mid-2008, Secretary for Housing, Planning & Lands Michael Suen says, adding his bureau is exploring ways to expedite the process.

He told lawmakers today outline concept plan options are being prepared in consultation with the collaborators of Kai Tak Planning Review. The review is slated to be completed by mid-2006, after which details of the land use will be outlined in the recommended development plan.

Mr Suen said the statutory process to revise the approved outline zoning plan will begin as soon as the recommended development plan has been confirmed to be feasible from the engineering and environmental angles under the engineering review. Revisions to the outline zoning plan will be completed by mid-2008. Nevertheless, the concerned departments are now considering ways to advance the engineering investigations to expedite the process.

On the disposal of government land, Mr Suen noted this will be carried out according to the prevailing land policy and established mechanism.

Under the existing land policy, land for private uses such as commercial, residential or industrial will be disposed of through public auction or public tender as appropriate.

Land for public use such as public housing, hospitals and schools will normally be disposed of by way of direct grant.

[mr.x]

Have there been any more updates on the redevelopment? New renderings? Renderings and details on the stadium?

[bronney]

Hey people just bumped into this thread researching ont he height of lion rock hill in Hong Kong. I do aerial photography in HK with a RC plane and thought you might like a few recent shots of HKG. :)

http://bronney.no-ip.info:27777/forums/1.jpg

http://bronney.no-ip.info:27777/forums/2.jpg

http://bronney.no-ip.info:27777/forums/3.jpg

[hkskyline]

^ Nice photos. The redevelopments around Kai Tak are quite tall.

[sfgadv02]

I hope they build something nice there, not a whole bunch of high-rise flats/apartments. :ohno: Looking at the plans, there doesn't seem to be too many, thank goodness.

[WANCH]

I think there was suppose to have a multi-purpose stadium built there.

[hkskyline]

The stadium plan was from a long time ago. The focus changed following HK losing the 2006 Asian Games bid to Doha, and a cruise terminal was proposed at the tip of the runway. Since then, the push has been to get that cruise terminal built there in light of the tourism boom.

[WANCH]

The stadium plan was from a long time ago. The focus changed following HK losing the 2006 Asian Games bid to Doha, and a cruise terminal was proposed at the tip of the runway. Since then, the push has been to get that cruise terminal built there in light of the tourism boom.

I think the cruise terminal is a better option. But they also need to build a mall as well and kinda make it similar to Ocean Terminal

[hkskyline]

I think the cruise terminal is a better option. But they also need to build a mall as well and kinda make it similar to Ocean Terminal

There is a push to have more sports facilities in Hong Kong, and the Asian Games bid tried to shift people's attention to more work-life balance and having a healthier lifestyle. In fact, the whole Kai Tak redevelopment concept started with a car-free city (roads would be buried underground).

[EricIsHim]

A bunch of developers are asking to make Kai Tak available for high density or even medium residential to maximize the (their) profit.

I hope the government is not going to approve their request and make Kai Tak into another Western Kowloon.
-----------------------------------------------------------
Source: http://hk.news.yahoo.com/070202/12/215fy.html

地建會倡啟德改建住宅 較商業樓面利潤高 (明報) 02月 03日 星期六 05:10AM

【明報專訊】城規會就德分區計劃大綱草圖，共收到47個申述，提出申述包括代表所有大發展商的地產建設商會（地建會）。地建會建議，將啟德 用地內大部分原規劃作商業的用地改作住宅發展，測量
廣 告

界稱這反映發展商認為於啟德用地發展住宅，較發展商業樓面更有潛力。

地建會建議在有全海景的啟德跑道上，幾乎所有商業用地轉作住宅用途，該部分地皮面積達50萬方呎，另將啟德多層停車場大廈部分（即富豪東方酒店對面）的多片商業用地，也改作住宅發展，該部分地皮面積達60萬方呎，合共地皮面積達110萬方呎。

單位總數達4000伙

若依據地建會的建議，跑道上的多片商業地皮，若以低密度的住宅發展（地積比率3倍）計算，可建樓面150萬方呎，以每單位達1000方呎計算，單位總數可達1500伙。而地建會建議啟德多層停車場大廈部分，改作住宅（乙）用地，地積比率達5倍，即可建樓面300萬方呎，以每單位達1000方呎計算，單位總數可達3000伙。

測量師陳東岳表示，上述建議反映發展商認為於啟德發展住宅，利潤較商業樓面為多。他表示，東九龍未來三年，甲級商廈供應龐大，足足有近500萬方呎（約等於2幢半中環國金2期面積），包括南聯巧明街項目，以及恒基及新地的前牛奶公司廠房項目，各有逾百萬方呎樓面，所以發展商相信要看到部分樓面被市場消化後，信心才會增強，而近期豪宅價格則持續上升，於跑道旁建豪宅，相信有龐大需求。

另外，地建會亦建議於觀塘勵業街（近牛頭角地鐵 站）興建一條車行天橋通往啟德跑道，以及於觀塘碼頭位置興建行人天橋，接駁至跑道的末端。

九倉嘉里促放寬地積比率限制

而於啟德用地內，持有地皮的發展商如九倉及嘉里等，亦提出意見希望放寬地積比率及高度限制。

另外，地鐵和九鐵 建議提高鄰近沙中線車站的住宅地積比率及車站廣場的地積比率、增設沙中線土瓜灣站、交換主場館與副場館位置、提供環保運輸系統的維修車廠和穩定裝置，以及提供車站相關設施。市民可就上述申述，於本月23日或以前向城規會提交意見。

[Monkey]

^ Actually I hope they do develop it with big bazooka tall skyscrapers - just like West Kowloon. :)

Hong Kong's developers need to be able to make megabucks out of parcels of land so that the government can charge high prices for that land and therefore keep Hong Kong's taxes low and its' economy competitive. That's how Hong Kong got there in the first place.... :)

[EricIsHim]

^^^ Monkey, you're totally right about how Hong Kong has flown in the years. But time has changed, people love money and love the harbour at the same time. There are things that money cannot buy like a pretty skyline and air quality. If you ask Hong Konger who loves those highrises in Western Kowloon, majority will say they hate it and hope they can be removed. But we can't take them down, so we can only avoid another development like that else where along the harbourfront.

Victoria Harbour belongs to the Hong Konger and so does the harbourfront. It is not a private property.