HONG KONG | Kai Tak Airport Development News [Archive]

hkskyline

November 4th, 2005, 04:27 PM

Cruise hub tender 'just for the big developers'
Activist says only those with waterfront land will be interested in ship terminal
4 November 2005
South China Morning Post

Expressions of interest were sought yesterday for construction of a cruise terminal in a long-awaited move to turn the city into a regional cruise hub.

But the planned open tender was swiftly criticised as the exclusive province of big property developers with land along the waterfront.

The document, issued by the Tourism Commission, invites developers to propose building the terminal on any piece of government land on Victoria Harbour apart from the site designated for the West Kowloon arts hub.

The government said that if no other suitable location was proposed it would go ahead with its original plan for a terminal at the old Kai Tak airport site.

In an echo of the highly controversial approach used for West Kowloon, construction and management of the terminal will be granted to the winning bidder.

Residential development is not permitted as part of the project and the developer will have to provide convincing reasons for any reclamation.

Shopping malls, hotels and offices will be permitted, however, prompting harbour activists to slam it as a property development in the name of a cruise terminal.

Citizen Envisioning @Harbour convenor Albert Lai Kwong-tak asked why the government had left the choice of site up to the developers.

"This is not the normal planning procedure and an affront to the planning officials," said Mr Lai. "Only those with land along the waterfront where the value would be enhanced by a cruise terminal will be interested in the project. And with all the technical and engineering studies proponents need to submit, only the biggest and the richest can afford this game."

Developers have until the end of this year to declare an interest, but companies that do not join this exercise will still be able to take part in the tender when it is launched.

The terminal must have at least one berth capable of accommodating the world's largest liner - the 345-metre long Queen Mary II.

Proponents have to submit technical documents to prove the proposed location is feasible and suitable, and that the terminal could be completed before 2011.

Design of the terminal must be compatible with the surrounding areas and take into account public aspirations for the harbour.

In a press release, the government said: "We need to verify if there are suitable locations other than Kai Tak that may enable an earlier development of a cruise terminal to meet the needs of the tourism industry.

"If we cannot identify a suggestion that could meet all our requirements through the expression of interest, the government would not consider any sites other than Kai Tak and would focus on developing a new cruise terminal at Kai Tak."

Cheung Kong (Holdings) proposed last summer to turn a long strip of government land on the Hunghom waterfront, including two hotel sites it owns, into a tourism spot with berthing facilities for international cruise ships.

The property giant, which has a strong property portfolio in the area, declined to comment. A spokeswoman for Wharf Holdings, owner of the city's only cruise terminal, said the group would study the government document in detail before making any decision.

hkskyline

November 4th, 2005, 08:21 PM

forvine

November 4th, 2005, 09:36 PM

Which of the three is the glamour plan?

hkskyline

November 6th, 2005, 09:19 AM

November 5, 2005
Government Press Release
Views sought on Kai Tak redevelopment

The three concepts proposed for redeveloping the former Kai Tak airport site do not involved reclamation, Planning Department's Kowloon District Planning Officer Raymond Lee says, adding the second round of consultation on the project will start on November 9.

Speaking on a radio talk show this morning, Mr Lee pointed out the no-reclamation proposal is based on the assumption the pollution at the Kai Tak nullah can be solved.

Reclamation will be the last resort if these environmental problems cannot be resolved, he added.

The blueprint, which is drawn up under three categories of development - dubbed City in the Park, Kai Tak Glamour and Sports by the Harbour - included an ocean liner terminal, parks, multi-purpose sports stadium and waterfront promenade.

Mr Lee stressed the proposals aim to arouse public discussion on the project and they are not obliged to choose from any of the three concepts.

He said a series of forums will be organised to hear the public's views of the plans, adding the consultation will end in January next year.

Mosaic

November 6th, 2005, 12:54 PM

Any renderings?

hkskyline

November 7th, 2005, 02:56 AM

啟德變西九翻版
規劃不斷商業化文化界聯手反對
07/11/2005

【記者楊瑞貞余志良報道】啟德規劃檢討將於本周三展開第二階段公眾諮詢，推出三個規劃概念，但沒有把鄰近的文化及歷史遺「時間廊」納入，反而增加了商業元素，惹起文化界不滿，直斥政府不斷加入商業元素，把啟德變成商業及地產項目，成為西九龍文娛藝術區翻版。據悉，文化界醞釀發起聯合行動，反對規劃建議。

啟德規劃檢討第二階段諮詢至明年一月結束，期間蒐集公眾對草擬概念規劃大綱圖的意見，除會舉行全港性及地區性的論壇外，亦會就個別題目例如多用途體育館舉行專題公眾論壇。

據悉，規劃署建議三個以「零填海」出發的方案中，「綠茵都市」以綠化為主，建議興建高密度住宅，可容納人口最多，共十二萬八千人；設商務中心及水幕繽紛的「魅力啟德」方案可創造的職位最多，共有七萬五千人，而該方案在創造職位、營商機會、旅遊推廣及土地收入方面，評定為有特佳表現。

第三個方案名為「體藝之都」，以運動為主題，除有大型體育館外，亦設啟德遊樂場及維港單車徑，更有環保育都會公園，但可容納人口則最低，只有六萬九千人。

團體轟變地產項目
實際上，規劃署最初拋出的概念包括了「啟德時間廊」方案，該方案包攬了鄰近的文化及歷史遺，例如把宋王臺、啟德指揮塔及機場博物館等，由古至今連成一線，但該方案卻沒列入諮詢的範圍內。

就規劃署即將進出的三個概念方案，文化團體表示不滿。本土文化再造主席林文輝直斥政府以商業掛帥，啟德規劃檢討三個方案均剔除了文化元素，最明顯是政府以商業味極濃的「魅力啟德」方案取代了「啟德時間廊」方案，根本要把啟德變成商業及地產項目。

據悉，文化界正醞釀聯手向政府提出反對，要求啟德規劃能夠納入文化的元素，不能純為商業收益出發。

林文輝說：「胡恩威、梁文道等文化人知道政府剔除文化元素後都顯得很氣憤，因為香港唔能夠單靠一個西九龍。文化界質疑點解政府唔理現有擺在面前的文化歷史，竟然去等一個唔知幾時先有歌劇院。」 http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/img/endmarker.gif

郵輪碼頭泊位構思三減一
07/11/2005

【本報訊】啟德發展計畫的三個概念大綱圖中，都不約而同利用舊機場跑道作為郵輪碼頭選址，但泊位的數目和設計，因受景觀保護和「零填海」的規限而有所變動。碼頭泊位數目因遷就景觀，由最初構思的三個減至兩個，手指形泊位亦因避免填海而擱置，郵輪要沿岸停泊。

外界一直批評香港缺乏郵輪碼頭的設施，而政府和業界希望日後新建的郵輪碼頭，能提供較多泊位紓解不足，故早期拋出的方案中，曾有一個方案建議在跑道末端興建三個郵輪碼頭泊位。

但因興建三個泊位會令將來設於舊機場跑道的遊樂場和低密度住宅沿線景觀完全被阻擋，故最後推出的三個概念大綱圖中，只會設有兩個泊位，最多只阻擋一半景觀。

至於泊位設計亦因顧及「零填海」原則，三個概念都列明手指形泊位只是將來可能的構思，所有郵輪都要沿岸停泊。

另外，規劃署建議在跑道下面挖一條闊六百米的通道，務求令跑道與岸邊之間較窄的水域有海水流通，預期該水域日後可舉辦龍舟賽事及水上活動中心，能否成事要視乎水質能否合標準。 http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/img/endmarker.gif

hkskyline

November 9th, 2005, 09:35 PM

Kai Tak plans fail to impress

Government plans to redevelop Kai Tak were criticized Wednesday for lacking vision and failing to realize the potential of the scenic harborfront location of the former airport.

Leslie Kwoh
Hong Kong Standard
Thursday, November 10, 2005

http://thestandard.com.hk/newsimage/20051110/KAI-TAK.jpg

http://thestandard.com.hk/newsimage/20051110/pier2.jpg

Government plans to redevelop Kai Tak were criticized Wednesday for lacking vision and failing to realize the potential of the scenic harborfront location of the former airport.

Three visions for the long-awaited multibillion dollar project were presented to the Town Planning Board at a planning review meeting, which commenced the administration's second phase of public consultation.

The formal unveiling of plans is sure to spark off months of debate over the appropriate use of the famous site.

Environmentalists have long wanted to see Kai Tak turned into a green zone, while developers have seen the former runway as a prime landing zone for a big-ticket project. Original plans for Kai Tak after it closed in 1998 involved reclamation of about 133 hectares, a residential population of 260,000 and 500 hotel rooms.

Under the "no-reclamation" proposals in the new plans, the population could fall as low as 69,000, while hotel rooms could number 9,000.

Though the plans presented emphasize different themes - residential, business and recreational, in the form of a Sports City - they share several common features such as a 45,000-capacity stadium, a cruise terminal and a waterfront promenade.

Some board members called for a wider range of proposals, saying the existing features are too "common."

"We hope public consultation will produce more ideas," said landscape architecture representative Wong Chi- kui. "We are working with familiar ideas, but we should use th
e land to showcase the harbor, not just for something with usual functions."

Wong said the SAR should follow the examples of cities like Sydney and Barcelona where harborfront areas have become a scenic showcase.

Architecture representative Alex Lui agreed, saying the proposed redevelopment did not take into account "the visual element."

However, a Planning Department spokesman stressed the draft concept plans were not development options, but were intended to provide a basis for public discussion on development proposals.

The administration also clarified confusion regarding the site of the cruise terminal after it was reported last week that bids for a cruise terminal in another location would be solicited.

The government said that although the government welcomed suggestions for an alternate site, Kai Tak would continue to be the main terminal site.

"We have consulted industries as to whether another site can offer an extra berth," a Tourism Commission spokesman said, "but for the long-term, Kai Tak is the only site that has space for expansion as a cruise terminal."

Members of the board were also concerned about the environmental impact of the proposals.

According to the administration, the residential-focused "City in the Park" concept plan would be the most environmentally harmful. On a scale of A to D - A being "very high performance" and D being "low performance" - the residential concept plan would score a D for both wastage of natural resources and deterioration of environmental quality, the administration said.

Board members were further disappointed at the lack of integration between the Kai Tak site and less-affluent neighboring areas, namely Kwun Tong and Ngau Tau Kok.

"I'm not happy with the road network around the airport," said architectural, surveying and planning functional constituency legislator Patrick Lau, who is also the vice chairman of the Town Planning Board. "They should link up to neighboring areas."

Social welfare representative Michael Lai said he was concerned about the potential impact of the Kai Tak project on surrounding areas.

"I would like to see a social impact assessment carried out next, so we know how [the project] will affect residents in the area," he said.

Other representatives agreed, saying that the administration's visual rendering of the plan was misleading and that it would be difficult for the public to make informed decisions. Board chairman Rita Lau acknowledged the visual renderings were unrealistic and said the administration will carry out further studies.

The Kai Tak site, which currently houses a golf driving range and a large mound of landfill, has been largely unused since the opening of Chek Lap Kok airport in July 1998.

The administration claims that the original plans, approved by the chief executive in 2002, were dropped in light of the Court of Final Appeal's ruling last year that reclamation must be justified by "overriding public need."

The government hopes to complete consultation in mid-2006 and begin construction in 2008, but has not yet provided a timetable for the project.

The multi-purpose stadium is not expected to be completed until 2015, at the earliest.

Total project costs also have not yet been disclosed. However a Home Affairs Bureau spokesperson said Wednesday that the stadium will cost about US$6,690 (HK$52,182) per seat.

The administration will continue to accept written suggestions until January 2006, when the second phase of consultation ends.

bs_lover_boy

November 10th, 2005, 02:29 AM

I do suppose when I first saw those plans I was a bit disappointed, but then in the past, the SUPER URBAN plans were all rejected. What else can the Planning Bureau do to satisfy the tough criticisms from lobbyists? All I want now is to hurry up and build something on that land which is empty for 7 years. Also that WKD place which was empty for 10 years already. All of those great plans in the past have been REJECTED, yes REJECTED what else can the government do??? All we can do now is to hope that those pieces of valuble urban land will not be wasted on imagination. The imagination of how each and every single person. Action is more effective, so people, stop your criticisms and MOVE ON!!!

Manu84

November 10th, 2005, 01:20 PM

a wonderful proyect

sharpie20

November 13th, 2005, 10:05 AM

very promising project, i hope they make good use of the land. oh yeah, leave room for at least one supertall :laugh:

shibuya_suki

November 14th, 2005, 03:07 PM

the property developer have no interested on this land,so dozens of land planning project has been rejected.

hkskyline

November 18th, 2005, 03:28 AM

The Kai Tak lands are contaminated. Add to that the effect of releasing a large amount of residential supply if all the lands are developed. It's unlikely anything will be built in the near future. It may be a good thing after all to wait to get it right before the shovels get into the ground.

-Corey-

November 18th, 2005, 03:32 AM

VERY NICE AND SO BIG.

hkskyline

November 23rd, 2005, 08:31 PM

Flats ruled out at cruise terminal site

Residential development is incompatible with the proposed cruise terminal project at the harbor end of the former Kai Tak airport runway, Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Stephen Ip said Wednesday.

Michael Ng
Hong Kong Standard
Thursday, November 24, 2005

Residential development is incompatible with the proposed cruise terminal project at the harbor end of the former Kai Tak airport runway, Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Stephen Ip said Wednesday.
In a written reply to a question from pro-government lawmaker Cheung Hok-ming in the Legislative Council, Ip said the Kai Tak site is the most suitable location for a cruise terminal and must be compatible with other land uses nearby to meet town planning considerations.

"According to a study by our consultant, the terminal will be busy with ground handling activities - for example, embarkation and disembarkation of passengers, luggage handling, provisioning of supplies, minor repairs - and will need to operate 24 hours a day. The consultant considered that the terminal would be incompatible with residential development," Ip said.

He said the Planning Department is now inviting expressions of interest for the project as well as suggestions for alternative sites, and the government has specified that bids for the project must not include residential development.

However, other tourism-related facilities could be incorporated into the bids to make them more attractive to investors. "As the location of the cruise terminal has yet to be confirmed, the land use and planning details such as commercial floor area are not available at the moment," he said.

If the government cannot identify a site that can meet its requirements from those expressions of interest, Ip said it will then consider the Kai Tak site the only suitable option.

But if there are suggestions in line with the government's requirements, it will conduct an indepth study on the overall suitability of a proposed site for development of a new cruise terminal, and put the site to competitive bidding after public consultation.

Urban Dave

November 23rd, 2005, 08:57 PM

No supertalls??? :nono:

hkskyline

November 27th, 2005, 06:09 AM

Opinion : Three concepts for Kai Tak are virtually identical
19 November 2005
South China Morning Post

During the launch presentation of three outline concept plans for Kai Tak at the Town Planning Board, chairwoman Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan, permanent secretary for housing, planning and lands, said the review was "historic", as "it is the first time a planning project has begun with a blank paper" ("Land grab may be needed off old airport runway", November 10).

This is complete nonsense. The three concepts for Kai Tak are identical, as all are dominated by the same cruise terminal, sports stadium, metro park, hospital, Sha Tin-Central rail depot and roads sought by the government. They were all kept in despite questions from the public and members of the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee (HEC). The questions, "why required", "who are they for", "why Kai Tak", "what supporting facilities", "how much land" and "what development model", have yet to be answered in each case.

Not surprisingly, board members have now raised similar concerns. The "concept plans" are merely allocations of land to different departments, resulting in an inefficient use of scarce harbourfront land. The key developments are surrounded by roads and high-intensity commercial and residential developments inappropriate for the location.

The proposed stadium is fully enclosed and a windowless cultural centre is situated on 23 hectares of prime waterfront. If the centre is needed at all, why not integrate it with the park? Make the centre "open", providing stunning vistas across the harbour. It is unclear that Kai Tak is the best location for a cruise terminal. Cruise-line guests require convenient access to a major airport and city-centre facilities. The tip of the old Kai Tak runway could not be further away. This creates much vehicle movement along the narrow runway and through areas of Kowloon whose roads are already at capacity. West Kowloon, with its highway and rail links and proximity to cultural and hospitality facilities, continues to be excluded.

The concepts are misleading. The four-lane highway needed for the transfer of passengers, engine parts, cleaning crews, food and sewage ends in a green park rather than the yard, rail depot, warehousing, customs, immigration, retail and hotel facilities required for a three-berth cruise terminal.

More disturbing is that the concepts fail to take harbour planning principles into account. The highway is right next to the waterfront, not unlike the Island Eastern Corridor. And none of the land uses along the Kai Tak waterfront are designed to enhance the use of the harbour.

Other than the cruise terminal itself, there are no land-water interfaces, such as marinas, landings, water sports facilities or a relocation of breakwaters. That these require support on the seabed - reclamation - cannot be any excuse. Keeping our harbour a "living harbour" and "an economic asset" are overriding public needs.

By ignoring the advice of HEC members, the government has wasted a year. If these concepts are all there is to show for senior officials' time and effort, is it not time to change the process and the players?

PAUL ZIMMERMAN, convenor, Designing Hong Kong Harbour District

Talbot

November 27th, 2005, 06:13 AM

I wish that i could read those proposals, the look pretty interesting.

But is the project still a go? I guess it's pretty iffey from the looks of those articles?

hkskyline

November 27th, 2005, 06:23 AM

The project will happen, but the details are still uncertain. There is a lot of public interest nowadays regarding these large-scale projects, and the level of community activism has been unprecedented. The issue is not if it will happen, but a matter of what will happen and when.

Talbot

November 27th, 2005, 06:52 AM

OK, that's good that it will happen, I can't wait to see some more.

hkskyline

November 27th, 2005, 06:30 PM

For larger versions of these files, you can download the originals at :
http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/kt.zip

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/asiaglobe/kaitak/KT_Forum_P9.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/asiaglobe/kaitak/KT_Forum_P10.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/asiaglobe/kaitak/KT_Forum_P11.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/asiaglobe/kaitak/KT_Forum_P12.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/asiaglobe/kaitak/KT_Forum_P13.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/asiaglobe/kaitak/KT_Forum_P14.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/asiaglobe/kaitak/KT_Forum_P15.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/asiaglobe/kaitak/KT_Forum_P16.jpg

hkskyline

December 2nd, 2005, 11:37 PM

LCQ2: Stage 2 Public Participation Programme for Kai Tak Planning Review
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Government Press Release

Following is a question by the Hon Chan Yuen-han and a reply by the Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, Mr Michael Suen, in the Legislative Council today (November 30):

Question:

Early this month, the Government launched the Stage 2 Public Participation Programme for the Kai Tak Planning Review and prepared three draft Outline Concept Plans ("OCPs") to facilitate the public to put forth their views. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) given that the Government had conducted the Development Statement Study concerned in as early as 1993 and various opinions and suggestions had been collected since then, of the reasons for preparing only three OCPs for consideration by the public and allowing only two months for public consultation;

(b) why the cultural and heritage features of the district have not been emphasized in the three OCPs; and

(c) where the public object to the three OCPs or submit new planning proposals, whether it will launch a comprehensive planning exercise and public consultation afresh?

Reply:

Madam President,

In light of the judgment handed down by the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) in January 2004, which interpreted the Protection of the Harbour Ordinance and ruled that any reclamation project within the Harbour must meet the "overriding public need" test, we have reviewed the reclamation projects with the Victoria Harbour. We have also joined hands with the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee to use a new model to engage the public in reviewing the ways to enhance these reclamation areas. The public engagement programme is broadly divided into three stages: Stage 1 engages the public in concept formulation and envisioning; Stage 2 engages the public in consensus building of preliminary developments, and formulating draft outline concept plans (OCPs); and Stage 3 engages the public in formulating preliminary development plan, which will provide input to the detailed planning in the future to facilitate implementation of the developments in accordance with statutory process. The Kai Tak Planning Review is one of the projects being carried out according to the above model of public engagement.

As regards the three-part question, my reply is as follows:

(a) The Government started planning for the future development of the Kai Tak Airport site in the early 1990s. The Government completed the Comprehensive Feasibility Study for the Revised Scheme of South East Kowloon Development in 2001. The Study proposes a total development area of 460 hectares, including about 133 hectares of reclaimed land. The relevant proposals were incorporated into the statutory Kai Tak (South) and Kai Tak (North) Outline Zoning Plans in mid-2001, which were approved by the Chief Executive in Council in June 2002.

In light of CFA's judgment in January 2004, we launched a comprehensive planning and engineering review of the project in mid-2004 and launched the Stage 1 Public Participation Programme in late 2004.

Public engagement in the Kai Tak Planning Review is an on-going process. Although the consultation for the current Stage 2 Public Participation Programme will last only two months, the three OCPs drawn up for public consultation are based on the valuable views and suggestions collected during the public engagement activities in Stage 1. Views collected during the Stage 2 exercise will also serve as input for the preparation of a Preliminary Outline Development Plan (PODP) in Stage 3. Public opinion is therefore always taken into account in various stages of the Kai Tak Planning Review.

(b) One of the major considerations in formulating the OCPs is to preserve and pay tribute to the history of Kai Tak Airport and Kowloon City District. All three OCPs seek to highlight the aviation history of Kai Tak by bringing into play the "Kai Tak Promenade/Boulevard" Concept. For instance, in OCP1, Kai Tak Boulevard, with distinctive historical features designed to remind the public of the former airport runway, is aligned next to the Kai Tak Approach Channel. In OCP2 and OCP3, the 50m wide waterfront promenade, designed with historical collections of Kai Tak, seeks to preserve the unique cultural characteristics of the runway. In addition, all three OCPs propose to incorporate a runway park with facilities of an aviation theme at the tip of the runway and a new Sung Wong Toi Park next to the Olympic Avenue to remind the public of the Sung Wong Toi historical site. Further studies will be conducted to see how these concepts correlate with other heritage sites in Kowloon City.

(c) The three OCPs serve to facilitate public comments. They are not intended to be options from which the public may choose the one they prefer. When preparing the PODP, we will take into account public comments on the various features and concepts of the three OCPs as well as any other relevant views. Then, we will embark on the Stage 3 Public Participation Programme and join hands with the public in taking forward the Kai Tak development plan.

Koi

December 3rd, 2005, 02:16 AM

I hope that Dragon Ball Tower gets built.

Jamie06

December 4th, 2005, 04:54 PM

it is alright but it is a bit over the top :)

Jamie06

December 4th, 2005, 04:56 PM

what the fuck is the dragon ball tower

hkskyline

December 7th, 2005, 01:54 AM

Shelving of Kai Tak runway draws fire

The government came under fire Tuesday after confirming it has ruled out a proposal to build a runway as part of the Kai Tak redevelopment plan.

Leslie Kwoh
Hong Kong Standard
Wednesday, December 07, 2005

The government came under fire Tuesday after confirming it has ruled out a proposal to build a runway as part of the Kai Tak redevelopment plan.

"We had already considered the possibility of building a runway during the first phase of public consultation," Anthony Kwan, Assistant Director of Planning, Metro and Urban Renewal at the Planning Department, told a public consultation forum.

"But after conducting a detailed study, we decided not to include a runway," he said.

The statement infuriated Save Kai Tak campaign chairman and retired pilot Francis Chin, who has been pushing for a general aviation runway on the old airport site in addition to a planned cruise ship terminal.

"Hong Kong is not just about cruises or maritime," Chin told the forum. "General aviation is also important, and we need a runway for short- distance flights in the Pearl River Delta region, which Chek Lap Kok airport cannot provide."

Kwan argued that building a runway would lead to safety issues and noise pollution. After Kai Tak airport closed in 1998, buildings in the area were no longer subject to height restrictions, Kwan explained. Consequently, taller structures in the area would make it dangerous for planes to navigate, he said.

He also claimed that local residents are concerned about potential noise pollution from planes. "Aren't you planning to build a heliport at Kai Tak anyway?" Chin retorted.

Chin warned the public to be cautious about a cruise terminal.

"Cruiseships are not like `pieces of art,' they are like monsters," he said, refuting a statement made earlier by a cruise industry representative. "They are noisy and smelly and they will lead to pollution."

Others attending the forum accused the administration of rushing the decision-making process and not providing alternative site choices.

"This is an unfair consultation," said associate professor of civil and structural engineering at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Wing-tat. "There should be at least two options, otherwise it's not a real consultation."

Paul Zimmerman, convenor of Designing Hong Kong Harbour District, urged the forum to consider other options, including West Kowloon, Hung Hom, North Point, and an upgrade of Ocean Terminal. Building a cruise terminal at Kai Tak, he said, would be robbing the public of access to the harborfront.

Kai Tak was chosen from the original list of 36 sites because it was the only one that could provide enough space for two to three berths, Deputy Commissioner for Tourism Maisie Cheng told the forum.

"We will go ahead with Kai Tak unless any feasible alternatives are introduced," she said. "We are lagging. This debate has been going on for 10 years."

The administration revealed its three concept plans for the site in mid- October. Though the plans emphasize different themes - residential, business and recreational - they share several main features, including a 45,000 capacity stadium, a waterfront promenade and a cruise terminal.

Construction of the terminal is expected to begin in 2008 and will be completed by 2011, at the earliest.

hkskyline

December 14th, 2005, 08:12 AM

Reclamation not ruled out as answer to Kai Tak odors
Andrea Chiu
9 December 2005
Hong Kong Standard

Strong odors at the site of the former airport caused by polluted sediment can be covered up by reclaiming the Kai Tak approach channel, the Planning Department said at a forum, indicating it has not ruled out reclamation for the redevelopment. "We will only do reclamation if alternative methods are not available," said Assistant Director of Planning Anthony Kwan, in charge of metro district planning and urban renewal.

"At this point, there is no adequate data to support the need for reclamation. But [if we find otherwise] we'll need to be very careful and seek legal advice," he said Thursday.

In January last year, the Court of Final Appeal rejected reclamation at a Wan Chai site and said this should only occur in the harbor if there is an overriding public need.

Kai Tak project redevelopment consultant Eric Ma said a possible alternative to reclamation is in-situ capping that isolates harmful substances. This will allow the pollutants to break down naturally overtime.

But he said this method can destroy the seabed and that "the cost will be high because it requires millions of meters of cement."

Another mitigation measure being considered is to improve water circulation by opening a 600-meter gap at the runway, Ma said.

Currently, the site is home to a driving range and landfill but has been generally unused since the opening of Hong Kong International Airport in 1998.

Many members of the public spoke out against the idea of reclamation.

Student Fung Chee-sing said he is against reclamation because it is permanent. "We can't turn it around," he said, urging the department to be patient and to find another method to get rid of the odor. "Technology is improving all the time. We make leaps and bounds."

Kowloon City District Councilor Chan Lai-kwan said there is an overriding need for reclamation because the odor will be very bad for future residents in the area.

She said the contaminated sediments will flow into adjacent neighborhoods and urged the department to take action.

But another man, who gave only his family name Chong, urged the planners to reclaim land. "We must optimize the approach channel," he said. "If someone says they oppose reclamation, I oppose that person."

Conservancy Association chief executive Lister Cheung stressed the need for thorough research.

"I don't have a fixed stance, but we need to find a solution together."

The department unveiled its three concept plans for the site in October. Each plan emphasizes residential, business or recreational use for the site but all have room for a 45,000-capacity stadium, waterfront promenade and a cruise terminal.

Discussions on the use of the old runway continued for a third day Thursday, when advocates spoke in support of allowing small aircraft to return to the site.

The redevelopment project is scheduled to break ground in 2008 and will be completed by 2011 at the earliest.

Sania

December 14th, 2005, 08:04 PM

any update?

hkskyline

December 21st, 2005, 05:37 PM

White elephant fears for Kai Tak sports stadium
Leslie Kwoh
21 December 2005
Hong Kong Standard

As the second phase of public consultation for the Kai Tak development project draws to a close, lawmakers are stepping up pressure on the government to reconsider plans for the site's new 45,000-capacity sports stadium, which they fear will quickly become a white elephant.

"I'm concerned the new stadium will suffer the same fate as Hong Kong Stadium, and once it is built it won't be used,'' agriculture and fisheries sector lawmaker Wong Yung-kan said Tuesday at a presentation by the panel on planning lands and works on its findings following two months of public consultation. Wong was referring to the HK$1 billion complex which opened in 1994 but failed to fulfill the administration's promises of hosting world-class sports venues and concerts when residents in the surrounding area complained of noise.

However, Principal Assistant Secretary for Home Affairs Eddie Poon insisted that the new stadium will not have the same problem, pointing out that plans for the complex include a retractable roof which will reduce noise disruption to the surrounding areas.

The stadium will also be patronized regularly by residents living in developments in front of the stadium, added Deputy Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands Robin Ip.

But lawmakers were not convinced. Medical legislator Kwok Ka-ki said that as only wealthy locals could afford to live in the new residential developments, the stadium will only attract a sliver of the population.

In addition, Kwok said population estimates for the development site have greatly decreased from the government's original figure in 1998, when it projected that Kai Tak could house 300,000 residents. The current population estimates range from 69,000 to 128,000, depending on the concept.

Other lawmakers raised concerns about the stadium's aesthetics.

"I don't think any civilized city would put such a big stadium in the city center,'' independent lawmaker Albert Chan said. ``The government is passing a death sentence on Hong Kong, and it is stifling the vitality of the city.''

Choy So-yuk of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong agreed, comparing the "unwieldy'' complex with Pacific Place and Festival Walk, which she said have taken away from Hong Kong's character. "When I'm inside those places, I can't tell whether I'm in the United States or Hong Kong,'' she said.

Poon responded by saying that the stadium will be an excellent opportunity for Hong Kong to popularize sports among locals and be recognized as a sports center in Asia.

But Kwok countered by pointing out that world-class athletes are not plentiful in Hong Kong, and thus building such a stadium may be premature.

"We should be practical, we shouldn't have this mental complex that Hong Kong has to be number one in sports in Asia,'' he said. "Don't pull the wool over the public's eyes.''

Kwok also said that the presentation, while "impressive,'' was "very scary'' in that it resembled "an ad pitch by Li Ka-shing.''

The administration unveiled three concept plans for the site last month, all of which include a sports stadium, a cruise terminal and a waterfront promenade. Total project costs and a timetable have not yet been disclosed, however a Home Affairs Bureau spokeswoman said the stadium will cost about US$6,690 (HK$52,182) per seat and will not be completed until 2015, at the earliest.

The panel will launch its third phase of public consultation and hopes to complete a preliminary outline development plan by mid next year.

hkskyline

January 3rd, 2006, 06:21 PM

December 31, 2005
6 suggestions received on cruise terminal

The Government has received six suggestions for Development of a new cruise terminal in Hong Kong in response to an expressions of interest exercise, the Economic Development & Labour Bureau says.

Welcoming the response, the bureau said it showed that the market had keen interest in the development of the cruise industry.

The Government had set up an inter-departmental working group to examine the suggestions received, based on the requirements set in the Invitation Document.

If Government could identify a suggestion or suggestions that could meet all its requirements, it would conduct an in-depth study on the location, follow established planning procedures and put the site to tender after public consultation.

If there are no suggestions that meet requirements, the Government will not consider any sites other than Kai Tak and will strive to expedite the development of a new cruise terminal there.

In the long run, the Government considers the Kai Tak area, which is within Victoria Harbour and has expansion capability, the ideal location for the development of cruise terminal facilities.

It intends to reserve a site at Kai Tak for the project in order to cater for the long-term needs of Hong Kong.

The development of a cruise terminal was proposed in the Kai Tak Planning Review and the Planning Department is consulting the public on the review.

hkskyline

January 8th, 2006, 02:28 AM

South China Morning Post
January 4, 2006
Rebuke for talking up sport at Kai Tak
Critics accuse official of jumping the gun by claiming broad support for stadiums idea when public consultation isn't over
May Chan

The government has misled the public by claiming there is widespread support for building sports facilities at Kai Tak when consultation on proposals for developing the former airport site has not even ended, critics said yesterday.

A senior Planning Department official also poured cold water on the suggestion from a Home Affairs Bureau official.

Members of the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee criticised Eddie Poon Tai-ping, Principal Assistant Secretary for Home Affairs, for claiming the "sports by the harbour" development model had won general support. Sixty written submissions have been received during the consultation.

Three concept plans have been put forward by the government, each with a different emphasis - one on residential development, another on tourism and a third on sports facilities. All feature a cruise terminal, sports stadium and park.

The sports model includes two stadiums - one with 45,000 seats, the other 5,000 seats - various recreational facilities and homes for 69,000 people.

"The proposal is widely supported by the business sector, district councils and the public," said Mr Poon during a radio interview.

"However, the stadiums won't be ready before 2010 because it takes four to five years to confirm the details on design, construction and operation. The government has yet to discuss whether the private sector should be involved in construction and operation [of the facilities], and measures to increase incomes for stadiums," he said.

Kim Chan Kim-on, a representative of the Hong Kong Institute of Planners on the harbour committee panel considering Kai Tak's redevelopment, said the government was being presumptuous.

"The consultation has not closed. It is misleading for the Home Affairs Bureau to draw such a premature conclusion," Mr Chan pointed out.

He said the sports development model was doomed to fail because of the lack of long-term support for sport, including subsidies for training and for sports-related industries and a holistic plan for sports facilities in Hong Kong.

Vincent Ng Wing-shun, of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, who also sits on the panel, said it was improper for the Home Affairs Bureau to make such comments.

"It is not in a position to comment on the consultation, which is organised by the Planning Department," Mr Ng said.

Raymond Lee Kai-wing, Kowloon district planning officer, said submissions under the consultation had not shown general support for any of the three concept plans. "Many in the sports community and district councils are generally supportive of the idea of building a multi-purpose stadium in Kai Tak," Mr Li said.

"However, the consultation is not meant for the public to choose one of the three concept plans. It is difficult to say which plan the public prefers."

A Home Affairs Bureau spokeswoman said Mr Poon's comments were not based on submissions about the proposals, but on observations from consultations with businesses and within districts.

hkskyline

January 8th, 2006, 09:58 PM

Miracle mushroom clears toxins dirt cheap $160m for Kai Tak cleanup? Fungus could do it for $500,000
8 January 2006
South China Morning Post

A common mushroom served on dinner tables every day can destroy toxins in the heavily contaminated soil of places like the old Kai Tak airport, scientists have proved.

According to Chiu Siu-wai, associate professor at Chinese University, the waste produced by the phoenix oyster mushroom - a popular item in wet markets and supermarkets - can destroy organic contaminants, heavy metals and the pesticide DDT.

Professor Chiu said that if the government used her technique for the Kai Tak airport cleanup, it would have cost $500,000 instead of the $160 million spent so far.

When mushrooms are grown, a large quantity of soil and waste is left after the harvest - only a fifth of the nutrients are used. As a result a lot of enzymes are left over.

"We found that this waste and the leftover enzymes could be used to break down toxins. You only need one portion to every 99 portions of contaminated soil. It can be used on dry land as well as on the mud at the bottom of the ocean," she said.

"You can put the waste on top of the contaminated soil or mix it in if you want to speed things up. The left-over, dried-up spores work their way down and eat the garbage, while the enzymes break down the contaminants."

The process takes about one-third the time of existing techniques and is so cheap that Professor Chiu competed the research and testing without government or private grants.

"Mushroom cultivators pay people $150 to ship each truck of waste to the dump. So if you asked them for it, they would give it to you almost for free."

She has just completed her first large cleanup at an old shipyard in Tsing Yi for Gammon Construction. The soil in the yard facing Rambler Channel was full of organic and heavy-metal contaminants. Andrew Kwan Ming-tak,

senior project manager at Gammon, said: "There were some very stubborn contaminants. We contacted many universities but decided to work with Professor Chiu. We cleaned 150,000 tonnes of soil and it was 100 per cent successful. We are very happy.

"This can save us a lot of time and money in similar future projects. I think the need to clean up contaminated soil and seabed mud will only increase in the future."

The Kai Tak cleanup - to get rid of toxic carcinogenic contaminants caused by decades of pouring aviation fuel, petrol, paint, sump oil, antifreeze and other toxics in the soil - began in March 2000 after the government decided to redevelop the site.

Last November officials said the Kai Tak nullah - heavily polluted by heavy metals and organic contaminants - might have to be reclaimed if a cheap and effective way to clean it up could not be found.

Professor Chiu said: "The technique they have been using involves pumping air, water and nutrients into the soil - a very expensive process - so that the existing organisms can grow and eat the pollutants. But they don't realise that the organisms existing in soil may not be appropriate for the job.

"If they give me samples of the soil at the nullah now, I could do it for free."

The Civil Engineering and Development Department said: "We always welcome clean up proposals from interested parties and are open to consider any technique proven to be suitable, practicable, safe and cost-effective.

"We are conducting bioremediation [by injection of calcium nitrate] to clean the channel bed. We could not rule out reclaiming."

bs_lover_boy

January 9th, 2006, 09:29 AM

Cool Mushrooms!!! Haha... Too busy to come on SSC in the past week... oops!!!

kenlau13

January 10th, 2006, 05:19 AM

WOW

hkskyline

January 11th, 2006, 05:26 PM

Early run for Kai Tak stadium
Winnie Chong
4 January 2006
Hong Kong Standard

The government is pushing ahead by five years the estimated completion of the proposed HK$2 billion 45,000-seat multi-purpose stadium at the former Kai Tak airport site.

While in line with Chief Executive Donald Tsang's recent pledge to kickstart long stagnating plans, the move has aroused concern that rushing the project might lead to another West Kowloon- type imbroglio.

Eddie Poon, principal assistant secretary for Home Affairs, disclosed Tuesday the stadium, which is expected to break ground in 2008, might be completed as early as 2010. Poon did not say what might happen to the Hong Kong Stadium in So Kon Po other than highlighting ``it had a lot of limitations'' that led to ``a low usage rate.''

But, as revealed by The Standard in October, the site will be sold off for luxury residential development, with the earnings earmarked for the new ``Sports City'' concept envisioned by Tsang, who wants to turn Kai Tak into a world- class sports venue.

This was hinted at by Poon, who noted that in the ongoing consultation on the 133-hectare former airport site, a majority of those who gave their views were in support of a mildly populated sports-focused development.

The consultation, which began in October and ends later this month, put forward three concept plans.

While all three plans included a stadium complex, a cruise terminal and a waterfront promenade, two proposals laid a greater emphasis on commercial and residential development, allotting housing for up to 128,000 people.

In what the government labeled the ``Sports by the Harbour'' plan, only 69,000 people will live around a 24-hectare stadium complex, which will feature a world-class venue _ likely covered by a retractable roof _ a 5,000-seat supplementary sports ground and an indoor sports complex with swimming pools for daily recreational use.

But critics worry that laying a timetable for a project that has yet to be drawn up or receive the public's tacit approval risks igniting the kind of explosive opposition that has so far held down plans for the West Kowloon cultural district.

Vincent Ng, chairman of the government appointed Harbourfront Enhancement Committee's harbor plan review sub-committee, shares those fears.

He warned: ``Being so hurried, the government will not have time to think and plan thoroughly.''

Kwok Ka-ki, medical sector lawmaker and spokesman for Action Group for Protection of the Harbour, contended that the government has not granted enough time for the Legislative Council to discuss the proposals.

He said this is despite the fact that many lawmakers have expressed reservations that all three concept plans include the stadium.

Kwok also questioned whether Hong Kong needs a world-class stadium, which, he fears, might become a ``white elephant'' like the HK$1 billion venue in So Kon Po. The stadium, which was completed in 1994, hosts only a few high-profile events because of severe noise restrictions.

``What we need is sports training and development,'' he said.

Critics also wonder why the rushed project will not be completed in time to host the 2009 East Asian Games.

Patrick Lau, Architectural, Surveying and Planning sector legislator and vice chairman of the Town Planning Board, called the mistiming ``strange,'' ``paradoxical,'' and ``not ideal.''

Lau also hoped that there will be more consultation on whether a stadium is best suited for Kai Tak, which is slated for tens of thousands of residents.

The administration has been under pressure to provide new facilities for elite athletes as a result of the decision to close Sha Tin's Hong Kong Sports Institute to make way for equestrian events, which will be held here as part of the 2008 Olympics.

The Kai Tak site, which currently houses a small golf course and a mountain of landfill, has been largely unused since the airport moved to Chek Lap Kok in July 1998 and its fate has been debated for years.

A plan to use it for a vast sports complex has been discussed since the city first decided to move the airport in the early 1990s.

Poon said in the next six months the government will study financing, operations, and design issues.

Kai Tak

January 13th, 2006, 01:04 AM

... Wow that's dreadful. A 45,000 seat stadium? WHY??? There's a great 40,000 seat stadium across the Harbour!!! ;)

hkskyline

January 21st, 2006, 07:48 AM

Kai Tak 'ideal for cruise terminal'
3 January 2006
South China Morning Post

The former Kai Tak airport is an ideal venue for a cruise terminal, the Travel Industry Council says.

It is "the perfect choice with all the facilities, including the long runway that can easily be turned into a pier", executive chairman Joseph Tung Yao-chung said.

He said the industry believed a second terminal ought to be built as soon as possible. "We have been talking about the building of a cruise terminal, waiting for it for so long now," Mr Tung said.

Six developers submitted proposals on Saturday to the government to build a cruise terminal at various locations. Wharf (Holdings) operates Hong Kong's only cruise terminal at Tsim Sha Tsui.

Mr Tung said Hong Kong was missing out on significant revenue because it had limited facilities for cruise ships staying more than one or two days. "The cruises sailing in and out of Hong Kong are only here for a one- or two-day trip. Occasionally, there might be one or two big cruises coming here for a longer stay and the ships have to be anchored at the Kwai Chung container terminal.

"We are losing a large amount of tourism revenue. These travellers are big spenders and they will stay here for a week instead of one or two days."

A terminal at Kai Tak would also revive Kowloon City, where businesses were hit hard by the loss of the airport.

The government said that if no other suitable location was proposed, it would go ahead with its original plan for a terminal at the old airport site.

hkskyline

January 26th, 2006, 03:56 AM

Groups buzz Legco over `last piece of waterfront'

A bevy of special interest groups representing civic, environmental, economic and athletic causes filled the main chamber of the Legislative Council Wednesday to air a variety of grievances on the latest redevelopment proposals for the site of the former Kai Tak airport.

Jonathan Cheng
Hong Kong Standard
Thursday, January 26, 2006

A bevy of special interest groups representing civic, environmental, economic and athletic causes filled the main chamber of the Legislative Council Wednesday to air a variety of grievances on the latest redevelopment proposals for the site of the former Kai Tak airport.

Speaking before a handful of administration officials and legislators, the groups put forth a number of visions for the 133-hectare parcel of vacant land.

Some called it a chance to build on Chief Executive Donald Tsang's vision for a "sports city" on the site to attract world-class competitions and nurture local athletic talent, while others called for the protection of the rights of those who live on boats, of the light aviation industry, and of vessel traders.

If the extended afternoon session often felt unfocused and convoluted, it reflected the multiplicity of concerns represented by the 39 groups in attendance and the contentiousness of the redevelopment plans for the site, which one group called "the one last remaining piece of waterfront in Hong Kong."

The Tourism Board was the most prominent of several groups that portrayed Kai Tak as the city's last chance to develop a major cruise hub before Singapore, or Shanghai, beat Hong Kong to the punch.

"A cruise terminal would be a shot in the arm for the tourism industry," said board representative Aliana Ho.

She said the cruise business is one of the tourism industry's fastest-growing areas, and called on the government to take advantage of the city's location and international image. "Hong Kong has a good geographic location, but there are no berthing spaces. Other cities are all updating their infrastructure, and we'll lose our leading place if we don't grasp this opportunity."

But other groups called cruise boats a "major pollutant" and urged a more environmentally friendly approach.

The Rowing Association called for a world-class regatta center and annual international boat races.

Representatives for football, rugby and Thai boxing associations voiced support for a massive indoor stadium with a retractable roof.

The session also included ambitious schemes like a massive futuristic spire to rival Shanghai's.

"Everyone knows we're the Pearl of the Orient, so we ought to build a Dragon Pearl Pagoda to be a landmark of Hong Kong," said Lam Chi-keung of the City Planning Concern Group, who unveiled a miniature model of a spire to a chamber of suppressed chuckles.

He said the tower - which would be capped with a massive crystal ball flashing neon-lit phrases like "Welcome to Hong Kong" and "Kung Hei Fat Choy" - would "build our brand and represent the essence of Hong Kong culture."

The government hopes to come up with a preliminary outline development plan for the Kai Tak site by mid-2006.

raymond_tung88

January 26th, 2006, 05:41 AM

I'd definately go for the cruise terminal as well as the sports complex. I hope they'll mix those two ideas together to create a multi-use complex that would draw a lot of tourists.

The Dragon Pearl Pagoda is just dumb... if people wanna see a pagoda they could go 2 one of the thousands of temples...

Rachmaninov

January 26th, 2006, 07:35 PM

Sports? I doubt that... the stadiums are not that frequently used anyway

godblessbotox

January 26th, 2006, 09:51 PM

it would be a shame to spoile such prime real estate with an empty building that could hold a few thousand people every month or two. as well as the cruse ship port... why would that have to be right downtown? Are there not other parts further away like near the airport? its not like there is not sufficent transportation between the two to get some business downtown

vincent

January 27th, 2006, 02:45 AM

Sports? I doubt that... the stadiums are not that frequently used anyway
with the retractable roof, they can host a lot more events than just sports. Convention/exhibition, concerts, etc

hkskyline

February 11th, 2006, 01:58 AM

The Clean Up of Kai Tak: A Lesson for Hong Kong
Hong Kong Lawyer looks at the controversy surrounding the clean up of the old Kai Tak airport site and the legal issues it raises regarding the problem of contaminated land
http://www.hk-lawyer.com/1998-12/Dec98-50.htm

http://www.hk-lawyer.com/images/Dec98/Dec98-50.gif

For an overcrowded city like Hong Kong, the plan seemed ideal. To build a brand new 'City within a City' replete with housing developments, schools, playgrounds, a huge municipal park, and a river running right through its centre. This was the plan for the old airport site at Kai Tak, the development of which was slotted to begin shortly after the new airport at Chek Lap Kok was opened. But much of the Government's plan has come under fire following revelations that for decades toxic materials have been seeping into the ground, rendering major portions of the land upon which the former airport sat exceedingly hazardous.

During those years when Kai Tak operated as one of the busiest - and, ironically, safest - airports in the world, workers were not only busy helping planes land and take-off, they were also busy pouring aviation fuel, petrol, paint, anti-freeze and a whole assortment of other toxic wastes onto the ground. Over time these wastes worked their way underground, contaminating the soil underneath. There is also a concern that cyanide may have been deposited on the site from an old, previously decommissioned cyanide destruction plant. And as if that were not bad enough, the Government has acknowledged that several of the underground pipes used to carry fuel to the planes had suffered major leaks, some of them lasting years. The Oil Companies Tank Farm that covered an area in excess of 11,500 square metres and included part of the runway and the parking area used by the jets, is believed to have dumped hundreds of tonnes of flammable, toxic fuel into the ground. The nullah that lies adjacent to Kai Tak has been found to contain heavily contaminated mud as the result of leeching from the airport site.

Studies have revealed the presence of high levels of carcinogenic hydrocarbons, including benzene, scattered throughout the site. Benzene in particular is known to increase the risk of cancer (it has been associated with an increased risk for leukaemia and aplastic anaemia) even where exposure amounts are fairly low. Benzene is also a mutagenic; that is, it causes inheritable genetic changes which can affect the next generation, the next after that, and so on.

The consultancy firm hired by the Government to conduct what turned out to be a two-year environmental study of the area has made recommendations as to how the site should be cleaned up. They have proposed the use of a sort of vacuum system, the idea being to place a series of pumps into the ground that would literally suck-up the toxic methane vapours. In areas where the contamination is more entrenched, they intend to actually pump the soil straight to the surface through tubes. This way, the toxic vapours could be 'captured' and directed straight into an on-site incinerator.

The plan put forth by the Government's consultants has been controversial. Chief among its critics is the consortium of major oil companies (who ran the Oil Companies Tank Farm) that are responsible for much of the mess in the first place. They argue that the clean up method proposed by the consultants is not likely to work given the highly compressed nature of the ground at Kai Tak. The better plan they believe is to 'land-farm' the area, which would involve digging out all of the contaminated soil and putting it through a treatment process that would remove the pollutants. Yet this plan has its critics as well who argue that the process of land farming poses too high of a risk to the workers involved and the people living in the adjacent areas.

This past October the Government began a pilot program to test which method or combination of methods it will use in what is believed will ultimately be a multi-million dollar clean up effort. The Tank Farm companies have offered to contribute financially toward the effort though they insist that they will do so only if the method chosen is one that will actually work.

Whichever method is ultimately employed, the controversy will undoubtedly continue. For the problems at Kai Tak have only served to highlight what is a glaring lack of legislative guidance in this most vital area of environmental protection.

This lack of guidance means that there remains unanswered a whole myriad of questions that go to the very heart of the problem. Specifically, how should land contamination be defined? What risk level is acceptable and what level of human and environmental protection is reasonably achievable? What method of clean up criteria should be used? Should the level of land remediation be related to future land use? Who should be liable for the costs involved in the clean up effort?

Legislator Christine Loh, Chair of the Citizens Party and a strong advocate for the environment, believes 'the Kai Tak redevelopment has exposed an environmental problem that Hong Kong has hitherto never addressed - that of contaminated land. The lack of any legislative or administrative guidelines on how to deal with this issue', she argues, ' raises many serious questions.' Moreover, she adds that 'with many other urban sites earmarked for redevelopment, including many old industrial sites, some answers will be needed quickly.'

The US Model

The now infamous Love Canal was the first waste disposal case to draw US (and indeed international) attention to the issue of land decontamination. The history of Love Canal goes back to 1896 when William Love dug a canal nearly 2 miles long hoping to connect the upper and lower Niagara River in Upstate New York. His grand scheme failed and eventually the canal was abandoned having never been put to use. In 1942, Hooker Chemical and Plastics Corporation purchased the land and for the next decade, disposed approximately 19,000 cubic yards of hazardous waste into the empty canal, which it then covered with a layer of clay and sold to the local government (for the nominal fee of $1). The transfer of the land to the government was on the express condition that the company would not be held liable for any future problems. The land was thereafter used to build a series of new housing schemes and a school.

The first inklings of the disaster came in the mid 1970's when homeowners began to complain about 'mysterious' substances that were beginning to leak through their underground basement structures. In 1977 a series of tests revealed that the mysterious substances were in fact toxic chemicals that had leaked into the surrounding soil and into the groundwater. In 1978, following medical tests conducted on the local population, the State of New York declared a health emergency. By 1980, the United States Federal Government had offered to evacuate everyone living in the affected area.

The disaster at Love Canal led directly to the passage by US lawmakers of the Comprehensive Emergency Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), or Superfund as it is more commonly known. The legislation established the mechanism for the clean up of contaminated sites and charges the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with identifying the polluters and making them pay for the clean up. A site is identified as contaminated when the release of a hazardous substance(s) poses a serious threat to human health, welfare, or the environment.

The polluters are referred to as Potentially Responsible Parties (PRPs) and can include a site's past or present owners or operators; the people who created the waste in the first place; and anyone who transported waste to the site. PRPs are subject to strict, joint and several liability (where one party may be sued for all the damage caused by many) so that each PRP can be held liable for the entire cost of clean up at a site. Furthermore, damaged parties need not prove that a PRP was negligent, merely that the PRP contributed to the problem in some way. This means that PRPs are liable for the costs of a clean up for dumping that may have been legal when it occurred. If a PRP cannot be identified, or have gone out of business, the federal government (ie the taxpayer) bears the cost of the clean up, but the basic principle remains that 'the polluter pays'.

The US Superfund scheme has been the subject of much criticism. Because CERCLA establishes a strict liability system (with joint and several liability), those charged under the scheme with responsibility for clean up have often tied up the courts for years with suits against other PRPs who, they argue, should share the burden of the clean up costs. As a consequence, it is estimated that only half of the Superfund's money has actually gone toward the clean up of contaminated sites, the rest going toward the support of a huge bureaucracy and the legal costs associated with joint, several, and retrospective liability.

It was also argued that issues of potential liability were preventing banks from providing loans and developers from taking on sites that were only moderately contaminated, especially in large urban areas in need of redevelopment. As a reaction to these criticisms, the US Government in 1997 passed the Land Recycling Act (the Brownfields Act) which provides government funding assistance and tax benefits to those developers willing to purchase moderately contaminated sites, and the Asset Conservation, Lender Liability and Deposit Insurance Act of 1996 which clarifies when lenders will be responsible for certain contaminated properties (ie banks will be liable for the clean up of properties they hold as collateral only if they 'participate in the management' of the business that operates on the property).

With respect to the issue of how much remediation is required for a contaminated site, the underlying US philosophy (as is also the case in the Netherlands) is one of multifunctionality or multiple use, ie the land should be restored to a standard suitable for any possible use whether it be industrial, residential, agricultural, etc.

The UK Model

The origins of the UK approach to the issue of land contamination can be traced back to the British Government's white paper 'This Common Inheritance, Britain's Environmental Strategy', published in 1990. In it, the Government explicitly recognised the problem of land contamination and emphasised the importance of bringing this land back into constructive use. The Environmental Protection Act 1990 (EPA 1990) was a reflection of this view and it called for local authorities to compile registers of land that were or might be contaminated.

The issue of local registers quickly became controversial as banks and insurance companies became increasingly reluctant to take on potential lender liability as had been the case of their US counterparts under the Superfund scheme prior to the 1996 amendments. As a result, the registers were abandoned and the search for a more pragmatic, business friendly approach resulted in the Environment Act 1995 (EA 1995).

While the EPA 1990 remains the principal UK Act regulating environmental pollution, EA 1995 for the first time provided a specific definition as to what constituted contaminated land as well who would be potentially liable for its clean up. Contaminated land is defined as whether significant harm is being caused, or whether there is a significant possibility of such harm being caused, or pollution of controlled waters is being or is likely to be caused by reason of substances in, on or under the land.

EA 1995 also established the Environment Agency in England and Wales and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. While local authorities remain the key regulators, with a duty to inspect and identify contaminated land and serve remediation notices if appropriate, the new environmental agencies are charged with responsibility for 'special sites', ie those that pose a particularly difficult remediation problem.

While the scheme operates on the 'polluter pays' principle, it does not follow the CERCLA scheme in that it is not based upon principles of strict and joint and several liability. The Act contains provisions for identifying the polluting party or parties, so called 'appropriate persons', and then serving upon them a remediation notice. The appropriate person is defined as a person or persons who 'caused or knowingly permitted' the contamination. Where the polluter cannot be found, the appropriate person will be deemed to be 'the owner or occupier for the time being.'

The extent of any required remediation of contaminated land is governed by the principle of fitness or suitability for use. Unlike the US approach, the UK requires only that contaminated land should be restored according to the planned usage. Thus for example land that is intended for industrial use requires less remediation than would land intended for agricultural use.

Conclusion: Issues for Hong Kong

According to Ian Cocking, partner at Simmons & Simmons and Vice Chair of the Hong Kong Environmental Law Association, 'the issue of cleaning up the contaminated Kai Tak site highlights a significant gap in Hong Kong's environmental legislation.' He argues that 'although the much publicised Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap 499), which came into effect in April, may impose some control on the manner in which any decontamination is carried out, it does not directly address the allocation of liability - present and/or future - for the clean up and its costs.' Moreover, it seems clear that older environmental legislation, such as the Water Pollution Control Ordinance (Cap 358), offer no real assistance as their clean up provisions have in fact never been used. And while Kai Tak is the first major land contamination case (though by no means the first example of contaminated land) most experts believe that it is only the tip of the iceberg as the pressure for urban redevelopment projects increase.

In the meantime, without a legal definition as to what constitutes contaminated land, or any record or register of where it may exist, or indeed any history of how the issue should be dealt with, companies are left to guess where they might stand in terms of any future liability for contamination that they may be creating or contributing to now. As international experience has shown, central to any policy will be a realistic assessment of who should shoulder the burden of clean up and to what extent the 'polluter pays' principle will be enforced in Hong Kong. However, one thing is fairly certain. If the Government (ie the taxpayer) ends up shouldering the entire cost for the clean up of Kai Tak, companies could be left with the impression that they are free to pollute at will without consequence, financial or otherwise.

Finally, with no definitive guidance as to how much remediation is necessary to restore a contaminated site, nor a clear indication of where responsibility for remediation will lie, current and future owners or users of such land (as well as those providing financial backing) may very well be reluctant to take on a property that might prove unfit for certain uses (or any use) a decade or so down the line. When the Love Canal was topped off with clay, we can assume that no one expected toxic chemicals to seep through the soil and into family homes. What Hong Kong needs to ask is how do we make sure that residents of the new 'city within a city' do not suffer the very same fate and how will we provide for those who might very well be sitting on a contaminated land time bomb right now?

http://www.hk-lawyer.com/images/common/bg1.gif

hkskyline

February 11th, 2006, 05:54 AM

Site View

http://www.airchive.com/airline%20pics/Hong%20Kong%20Kai%20Tak%20Compressed/Kai%20Tak-1999/Kai%20Tak%20aerial.jpg

hkskyline

March 12th, 2006, 07:19 AM

啟德規劃露雛形堅持保留起卸區
3月 11日星期六 05:05

http://hk.yimg.com/hk/providers/mingpao/20060310/11gp06.jpg

【明報專訊】啟德規劃雛形漸露，規劃署顧問指出，將來佔地328公頃的啟德，將包括體育城、郵輪碼頭、直升機坪和低密度住宅等項目﹔但先前諮詢階段提出的水上中心、鐵路系統和民用機場則被剔除。不過，因經濟發展及勞工局堅持保留觀塘貨物起卸區，令原先計劃的海濱長廊未能在短期內落實。

鐵路系統民用機場剔除

啟德規劃檢討的公眾諮詢分為3階段，第2階段於今年1月結束，規劃署顧問「城市規劃──茂盛（亞洲）聯營」昨向城規會交代結果。規劃署將根據結果草擬初步發展大綱圖，今年中會展開為期兩個月的公眾諮詢，預計年底會修訂有關分區計劃大綱圖。

顧問代表譚小瑩昨於會上指出，體育城和郵輪碼頭由於有政府政策支持，兩項發展均會納入大綱圖，民政事務局正檢討體育城的面積是否需要減少﹔以住宅發展為主的「綠茵都市」、以商業發展為主的「魅力啟德」，及以體育城為主的「體藝之都」3個方案中，公眾大都傾向以體育城發展為主、住宅密度較低的方案。

譚小瑩解釋，由於啟德規劃人口已由最初20多萬人，減至10多萬人，環境運輸及工務局認為，若在啟德城內採用鐵路系統，財政上並不可行，當局會研究其他較適合在啟德城內行走的環保交通工具。她續說，由於現階段仍未研究出清理明渠的方案，該區水質並不適宜水上活動﹔民用飛機則因安全問題，不可與郵輪碼頭共存。

關閉觀塘貨物起卸區恐礙物流

觀塘貨物起卸區屬啟德規劃檢討範圍，按原先建議，該處將變身成環境優美的海濱長廊，遠眺啟德郵輪碼頭，而起卸區的回收工業將遷出觀塘區，海旁將設露天茶座等設施，有利發展旅遊業。但譚小瑩表示，經濟發展及勞工局現階段沒計劃關閉觀塘和茶果嶺公眾貨物起卸區，以免影響物流業，令更多低技術人士失業。

城規會委員何建宗批評，經濟發展及勞工局未配合啟德規劃檢討，保留貨物起卸區會不利優化環境，限制日後的旅遊發展。

身兼香港建築師學會會長的城規會委員林雲峰認為，規劃署落實發展項目後，須盡快進行建築佈置評估，以評估人流、通風、地標設計和樓宇之間的距離對環境和居民的影響。

hkskyline

March 15th, 2006, 02:06 AM

Second Kai Tak Forum to discuss comments on Kai Tak Outline Concept Plans
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Government Press Release

The Sub-committee on South East Kowloon Development Review of the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee (HEC) will hold the "Second Kai Tak Forum" on March 25 to discuss the community's views on the three Outline Concept Plans proposed at the Stage 2 Kai Tak Planning Review.

The "Second Kai Tak Forum" aims to enhance transparency in the processing of public comments received in the Stage 2 Public Participation, which was held from November, 2005 to January, 2006.

The project consultants and representatives of Government bureaus/departments will respond to the comments and proposals received from the public during Stage 2 Public Participation and answer questions in the forum. The public will have an opportunity to discuss the initial ideas for the project to help in the preparation of the Preliminary Outline Development Plan.

The Chairman of the HEC Sub-committee of South East Kowloon Development Review, Dr Chan Wai-kwan, will convene the forum. He is supported by a panel of sub-committee members.

The forum will start at 9am at the Civil Service Training & Development Institute Auditorium (Room 501), North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Road, North Point.

Site visits to Kai Tak will be held on Saturday (March 18) to enable members of the public to familiarise themselves with the development opportunities and constraints of Kai Tak. Free shuttle buses will be arranged to take the participants to the site from the public transport interchange in Telford Plaza Phase 2 (MTR Kowloon Bay Station, Exit A). The three departure times are 10.30am, 2pm and 4pm. Each bus tour will take about one and a half hours.

Due to limited seating capacity, pre-registration for these two events is required. For registration and detailed information, please visit the websites: http://www.harbourfront.org.hk or http://www.pland.gov.hk. For enquires, please contact the Secretariat at 2231 4988 or e-mail kdpo@pland.gov.hk.

hkskyline

March 23rd, 2006, 07:37 PM

Bigger dock to cash in on cruise craze
Albert Au Yeung
23 March 2006
China Daily - Hong Kong Edition

The government will speed up the development of a new and bigger dock to reap the benefits of the rising trend of travelling in mega-cruise ships, Secretary for Economic Development and Labour Stephen Ip said yesterday.

This was his written reply to legislator Ronny Tong, who had asked what the government was doing to cash in on the world trend of cruise travelling and the increasing use of mega-cruise ships.

According to a study, the number of people vacationing on mega-cruise ships is on the rise, Tong had said, adding that the number of such travellers is estimated to increase by 100 per cent in the next 15 years.

Cities whose ports and terminals could not accommodate mega-cruise ships may lose over half their market share in cruise industry in the next 10 years, he had said.

In his reply to the Legislative Council, Ip conceded that the Ocean Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui, only one of its kind in Hong Kong, was being used to capacity. Sometimes cruise ships have to berth elsewhere because of conflicting schedules or because they are too big for the terminal, which is good enough only for ships up to 50,000 displacement tonnages. Mega-cruise ships, therefore, have to berth at the Kwai Chung Container Terminal instead. That happened four times last year.

According to the Study on Cruise Terminal Facilities Development in Hong Kong 2004, commissioned by the Tourism Commission, international cruise liners are considering stepping up their operations in Asia, which is considered a major market. Hence, the demand for berthing facilities is expected to grow.

The study also says Hong Kong will require additional berths as soon as possible to satisfy market needs, and one to two more berths beyond 2015 to sustain its development as a regional cruise hub.

To cope with this trend, Ip said, the government will expedite the development of the new cruise terminal facilities by accelerating the timetable of Kai Tak Planning Review.

Since late last year the government has been asking for suggestions for alternative sites for the new cruise terminal, and so far six have been received. The government's inter-departmental working group is carefully examining them.

If any of the suggestions meet the requirements, the site will be put out for competitive bidding after public consultation. Otherwise, the government will proceed at full speed with the development of the new cruise terminal at Kai Tak, Ip said.

In order to make sure mega-cruise ships include Hong Kong in their itineraries and to lure more cruise visitors to the SAR, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) is co-organizing joint promotions with cruise liners and their designated travel agents on fly-cruise visits to Hong Kong. From time to time, HKTB conducts presentations, seminars and mega events to update cruise travel agents on Hong Kong's new tourism facilities and activities. It also invites senior executives of major cruise liners to Hong Kong on familiarization visits, Ip said.

HKTB attends major international tourism trade shows too. In 2006, Ip said, HKTB will join forces with other destinations for the third consecutive year to market the Asian region to international cruise liners. To enhance cruise visitors' experience upon their arrival, HKTB arranges special meet-and-greet services.

hkskyline

April 8th, 2006, 05:37 AM

http://www.info.gov.hk/tpb/harbour/images/k_02.jpg

http://www.info.gov.hk/tpb/harbour/images/k_01.jpg

hkskyline

April 8th, 2006, 06:24 PM

Chronology of Events on the Kai Tak (North) and Kai Tak (South) Outline Zoning Plans

http://www.info.gov.hk/tpb/harbour/en/kaitaknorthi_chrono_e.htm

hkskyline

April 14th, 2006, 06:16 AM

Tycoon hits out at 'fearful' officials
13 April 2006
South China Morning Post

Projects are being delayed and investment held up because officials are afraid to make decisions for fear of being accused of colluding with big business, a property tycoon says.

In today's highly politicised climate, officials would rather do nothing than risk condemnation, New World Development managing director Henry Cheng Kar-shun believes.

He described the attitude of some officials towards developers' applications as, "there can't be any trouble if you don't deal with it".

As a result, important projects such as Kai Tak, West Kowloon and Tamar were being stalled and investors discouraged.

Mr Cheng's criticism comes two weeks after New World and partner Sun Hung Kai Properties abandoned plans to convert flats in the controversial Hunghom Peninsula estate into luxury apartments, saying the premium was too high.

His remarks also come amid pledges by Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen of "strong governance" and a determination to press ahead with plans to move government headquarters to Tamar in the face of public opposition.

Mr Cheng also cited what he said was government rigidity in approving commercial makeovers, such as the establishment of restaurants and shops at New World's ferry piers in Central.

"We don't see why government officials take such a long time to approve the plans when there is already a Star Ferry terminal as a showcase example," he said.

The lack of a development plan for the former Kai Tak site eight years after the airport closed was a "waste of resources".

"Many [investors] reckon today's investment climate is souring," he said. "That will hit the entire investment climate."

On property, Mr Cheng said the local market still lacked strong momentum because of the uncertain interest rate outlook.

"Until there is a clear picture on interest rates, homebuyers are likely to be cautious about jumping into the market," he said.

Mr Cheng's comments come amid a weakened primary market. Sales of new projects over the weekend fell to about 30 units, from 57 the weekend before.

Sales in the secondary market also dropped, with the number of transactions in the top 35 housing estates falling 11 per cent to 154, after 173 the previous weekend, according to figures from Midland Realty.

Residential prices rose 2.15 per cent in the first three months of this year, according to the Centa-City Leading Index.

jpq21

April 14th, 2006, 11:08 AM

_00_deathscar

April 14th, 2006, 03:23 PM

Why do you want the price to go up?

Unless you want to sell it...

Monkey

April 14th, 2006, 03:30 PM

I say build a cruise terminal and a great forest of 400m+ towers!! :guns1:

hkskyline

April 14th, 2006, 06:25 PM

My dad has an apartment in the Sky Tower complex which is directly adjacent the old airport, looking north. So I hope whatever is decided on is the one which will make its value go up the most (probably the most recreational proposal). Is there going to be a mass transit connection built to the site?
The plan is to have a stop at the north end of the old airport site in the new Shatin-Central line, but the alignment is not yet set. However, an announcement is expected soon.

hkskyline

April 18th, 2006, 07:40 AM

啟德翻生
新規劃五年完成集旅遊消費住七萬人
18/04/2006
太陽報

http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/news/20060418/img/a10418_big.jpg

http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/news/20060418/img/sn01041808_big.jpg

http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/news/20060418/img/sn01041807_big.jpg

【記者楊瑞貞、余志良報道】拖足八年、規劃一改再改的東南九龍啟德發展終露曙光，並可望於二○一一年完成，而啟德明渠的淨化測試工程亦已展開，且訂於今年暑假展開全面淨化。新的規劃融合環保、旅遊及消費於一身，除有大型運動場館及可停泊兩艘巨型郵輪的碼頭外，跑道兩旁設有海濱長廊，跑道末端更會建造仿似倫敦大橋般的開合式大橋。消息稱，新規劃於今年六月最後諮詢後即展開工程。

可靠消息稱，政府有一個強烈意願是要啟德郵輪碼頭於二○一一年落成，故此，規劃部門正被積極催谷盡快完成啟德規劃，而政府近期已將大部分反對聲音消化，並擬訂一個各方均可接納的新方案，期望今年六月最後諮詢時無阻力，並且立即上馬，如期落成。

政府規劃署歸納多方意見，擬訂了一份新規劃大綱圖，凸顯啟德的人口密度大幅降低，將貼近早前「體藝之都」的規劃，只有近七萬人口。

設郵輪碼頭購物大道
郵輪碼頭將會坐落啟德跑道盡頭面向維港方向，初步預算會有兩個巨型郵輪停泊位，可供超過十五萬噸以上超級郵輪停泊，同時碼頭對開是酒店發展區域，會有大型酒店配合郵輪碼頭發展，推動本港吸納豪華郵輪客消費。

規劃不準備填海，但由於啟德跑道附近水深度不足以停泊巨型郵輪，故擬把最初放在跑道下的石柱重新挖起，令巨型郵輪可以泊岸。同時，為了避免把維港景觀遮擋，泊位也由三個減至兩個。

除郵輪碼頭外，帶動旅遊的設計還有啟德購物大道，即跑道兩旁是低密度住宅區，中間的購物大道連接酒店發展區至啟德機場原停機泊位區，購物大道內設有不同種類商店，無論是郵輪旅客或是本港市民，置身購物大道內可購得國際名牌物品。

新規劃的啟德發展區內有兩個大面積公園，分別為現時跑道頭的國際都會公園，以及在酒店區毗鄰的跑道公園，全部會是林蔭夾道設計，兼盡綠化休閒最大的特色。原跑道兩邊亦會開闢兩條海濱長廊，更配合露天茶座，而海濱長廊由跑道頭伸展至跑道末端，途經所有公園酒店購物大道及碼頭，市民能沿路飽覽維港無敵海景。

開合式大橋連接觀塘
新規劃亦擬引入一些世界聞名的特點景色，考慮在跑道末端建造一條連接觀塘碼頭區域的大橋，該大橋的特色是與倫敦大橋相若，橋身是可以吊起開合，讓橋下的輪船經過。

據悉，規劃中亦在酒店區與低密度住宅區之間預留土地，擬作為地標之用，但現時仍未作最後決定，估計是機場博物館。

為推動本港大型運動，靠近宋王臺公園至舊機場停車場大樓一帶，將建一個多用途運動場，供各類球賽活動及大型體育活動使用，運動場可納四萬五千人，建造費料四十五億元。

連接啟德發展區的交通方面，新鐵路沙田中環線會是主要交通工具，鐵路站會設在發展區外圍，發展區內則會有其他不同特色的交通工具，至於會否建造小型火車則需要再研究。

hkskyline

April 18th, 2006, 07:42 AM

http://the-sun.orisun.com/tsnmain/20060418/img/0418main.jpg

跑道盡頭興建樓高10層捱轟
直升機場煞維景
18/04/2006
太陽報

http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/news/20060418/img/sn02041806_big.jpg
啟德停車場區域將建設為超級運動場，有團體希望能增建鐵路，連接舊城區。伍永健攝

http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/news/20060418/img/sn02041812_big.jpg
啟德跑道與九龍灣之間發臭的海水，將透過多種方法改善。王嘉昌攝

http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/news/20060418/img/a20418_big.jpg

【記者楊瑞貞報道】啟德規劃意見紛紜，現已幾達水到渠成階段，消息稱，如果直升機場的問題解決，其他工程立即可展開。由於直升機場樓高十層，再加上毗鄰的郵輪碼頭，整個維港海岸線均被遮擋，而夾在中間的跑道公園變成「冇景」公園，不少民間團體要求遷移直升機場，「歸還維港公用空間」，若能解決這問題，啟德規劃應再無障礙。

啟德規劃原先擬把直升機場建於郵輪碼頭上蓋，但後來卻改為在跑道末端興建珠三角跨境直升機場。本土文化再造主席林文輝指出，在規劃大綱圖諮詢期間，不少團體均反對在東南九龍興建直升機場，但當局卻顯得非常堅持，原因在於啟德是舊機場，應有部分土地用於飛機升降用途。

林文輝批評當局的想法不合理，又說：「若果要繼續做機場話，咁機場就唔使搬去赤角啦，依家重新規劃啟德土地用途，面對咁多團體反對，都唔明政府當局點解咁堅持，若果要起直升機場，點解唔揀西九起呢？」

不少團體認為維港海景屬於公用空間，市民有權利享用。林文輝指出，直升機場再加上兩個泊位的郵輪碼頭，夾在中間的跑道公園縱是綠化的休憩中心，可謂維港景觀全毀，只能看到觀塘碼頭及起卸區一帶，根本沒有市民會走進這個「冇景公園」，倒頭來公園就變成了直升機場的私人公園，只有乘客可享用，根本不合乎市民共享的原則。

機場博物館無蹤影
對於在啟德區內闢建機場博物館的建議，林文輝批評有關建議現時已不見蹤影，若果舊機場不建機場博物館，卻反而要興建直升機場，當局是本末倒置。另外，有不少團體爭取在區內增建觀光鐵路或觀光電車，以便貫穿跑道公園、購物大道、體育城及宋王臺等地，把新、舊城區連接起來，亦方便市民及旅客到各景點遊覽。

民建聯本周內將向政府提交關於在啟德規劃及周邊發展配套報告，建議把散落各區的政府行政部門集中在東南九龍，除把東南九龍變成行政機構中心外，又要求加快重建九龍城及發展毗鄰三區以帶旺周邊發展。這個建議更被外界質疑是民建聯為「轉」支持添馬艦興建政府總部計劃，而自找下台階。

Rachmaninov

April 18th, 2006, 07:45 AM

Rachmaninov

April 18th, 2006, 07:54 AM

pookgai

April 18th, 2006, 02:11 PM

The helipad should be constructed somewhere nearer to the stadium...

One question: Why don't they let one of the cruise ships park inside the area surrounded by Kwun Tong and the runway itself?

I think this is due to the shallow water in this part of the harbour. It would probably require extensive dredging.

hkskyline

April 19th, 2006, 02:37 AM

Dredging is a major reason why the cruise terminal could not be built in West Kowloon I believe.

jose_kwan

April 19th, 2006, 06:32 AM

the scale is dimishing every time ...
there won't be any major developemnt in hk anymore i guess ...
the west kowloon cultral district is not going any where soon ...
no high rise in central reclamation either ...

hkskyline

May 27th, 2006, 02:12 AM

Swire's Kai Tak Vision
http://www.swireproperties.com/kaitak

http://www.swireproperties.com/kaitak/images/the_vision.jpg

Open Space Amenities
O1 Kai Tak Park
O2 Continuous Southeast Kowloon
O3 Kai Tak Ribbon Park
O4 Kai Tak Point

Public Facilities
P1 Kai Tak Stadium
P2 Kowloon Bay Yacht Club
P3 Kowloon Bay Hospital
P4 Schools, including International Schools
P5 MTR/KCR Depot

Residential Neighbourhoods
R1 Kowloon City South
R2 Diamond Foothills
R3 Kai Tak Archipelago
R4 Kowloon Bay Waterfront
R5 Kai Tak Point

hkskyline

May 28th, 2006, 01:28 AM

DAB pushes for one-stop government service at Kai Tak site
27 May 2006
South China Morning Post

The government has been urged to set up a one-stop-shop service centre in southeast Kowloon.

The proposal, by the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, is another concession by the party, which had previously advocated moving the government headquarters to the Kai Tak airport site.

When the party changed its stance and backed the administration's Tamar proposal, it said it wanted some government facilities at the southeast Kowloon site. Yesterday's proposal appeared to be a further scaling back of its demands.

However, as it unveiled its southeast Kowloon redevelopment proposal, the DAB dismissed suggestions it had done so in exchange for government support for its plans.

DAB legislator Chan Kam-lam said the party was being practical in dropping its earlier suggestion of relocating the headquarters to southeast Kowloon, since the majority of the Legislative Council would not support it.

"We know it's impossible to move the government headquarters to southeast Kowloon, so we settle for the second best - to have a one-stop government service centre [there]."

Mr Chan explained that since more than 80 per cent of the population lives in Kowloon or the New Territories, it was necessary to build a one-stop service centre, which included frontline sections of various departments, in southeast Kowloon. Doing so would save money by moving some departments away from the high-rent commercial districts, he said.

The DAB had been against building a government headquarters on the harbourfront Tamar site but later threw its weight behind a revised government proposal for a Tamar headquarters.

The party's development proposal for southeast Kowloon envisages building a cruise terminal with two 360-metre berths, a sightseeing tower on the runway of the old Kai Tak airport and a multipurpose sports centre near the Kai Tak station on the Sha Tin-Central rail link. It also proposes building both high- and low-density housing.

Mr Chan said the aim was to turn southeast Kowloon into a vibrant district with tourism, leisure, environmentally friendly housing and government services.

He said the party's proposal had been submitted to the government, which agreed it was feasible.

hkskyline

May 29th, 2006, 05:20 PM

DAB sees service role for Kai Tak
Teddy Ng
27 May 2006
China Daily - Hong Kong Edition

The Democratic Alliance for Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) has proposed that a government services centre and several tourism facilities be housed in southeast Kowloon.

Outlining the southeast Kowloon development proposal yesterday, DAB said it was not necessary to insist on having the new headquarters there instead of the Tamar site in Admiralty.

Party legislator Chan Kam-lam suggested that government departments dealing with public livelihood, such as the Leisure and Cultural Services, Social Welfare, Home Affairs and Inland Revenue departments, be concentrated at the proposed government services centre in southeast Kowloon.

Other government departments functioning from prime sites, such as Invest Hong Kong from Pacific Place and Trade and Industry Department from Mong Kok, too, could be moved to the services centre to save rents, he said, though he conceded that shifting the offices would be a difficult task.

DAB had earlier urged the government to build the new headquarters in southeast Kowloon, and not the Tamar site.

For residents' convenience

There is no need to insist on having the new government headquarters in southeast Kowloon because the proposed services centre could convenience the district's residents.

"Building the government headquarters in southeast Kowloon is quite impossible because we cannot get all members to endorse such a proposal even in the Legislative Council (LegCo). So why should we insist on it?" he said.

Denying that the government's stance on its proposal would affect DAB's decision on supporting the Tamar development plan, Chan said: "I think it is not in exchange for our acceptance of the Tamar project."

Shifting the government headquarters to southeast Kowloon would require three years of planning, delaying the completion of the project, he said.

Apart from the government services centre, DAB also proposed building a series of leisure and tourist facilities at the former airport site. It suggested that at least one international cruise liner terminal, with two 360-metre-long berths, be built on the abandoned airport's runway.

The party also wants the Kai Tak playground, closed in 1982, to be re-opened to provide leisure facilities such as a ferris wheel, a sightseeing tower, computer animation, helicopters and a 1,200-seat theatre for Chinese opera.

A multipurpose sports complex too should be built at Kai Tak station on the Sha Tin-Central Link for recreational activities such as concerts, exhibition and religious functions, it said. Major international sports events could be held in the complex, with a smaller facility for training.

It suggested expanding the Sung Wong Toi Park, a memorial to the last boy emperor of the Southern Song dynasty. Chan said a museum detailing the history of the Song Dynasty should be built in the park, with a community hall with a Song architecture style in Kowloon City.

Another DAB lawmaker Cheung Hok-ming said the redevelopment of old districts in southeast Kowloon should be speeded up. The Sha Tin-Central Link should be completed as early as possible and two bridges linking the Kai Tak runway to Hung Hom should be built. The site's development should be sustainable, complete with a waterfront area.

Kowloon City district councillor Chan King-wong supported the need for an international cruise terminal. Mass transport system, including MTRC, was needed for the site, he said, stressing that environment-friendly light transit system should be provided for communal use within the area.

hkskyline

May 30th, 2006, 05:08 AM

Liner's arrival renews call for cruise terminal
Wendy Leung
30 May 2006
Hong Kong Standard

The arrival of a newly refurbished Italian passenger liner that will operate out of Hong Kong has renewed tourism industry calls for a cruise vessel terminal to be built "as soon as possible.''

Visiting the city Monday was the newly refitted 28,500-tonne Costa Allegra, which will embark on its first official voyage to Japan from Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal in July. It will then return to Hong Kong, from where it will complete 35 round trips to Hainan and northern Vietnam's Halong Bay between November and April.

The ship, which can carry 1,000 passengers, had a 12-million euro (HK$118.48 million) renovation in Italy designed to make her more appealing to Chinese tastes with sushi bars, restaurants and a larger casino.

"We are targeting mainly mainland tourists,'' said Massimo Brancaleoni, vice president of Costa Crociere, the ship's operator. "We estimate the cruises in Shanghai and Hong Kong will attract 55,000 visitors in the first year.''

The five-day voyage will cost about HK$5,000, including food and entertainment.

Impressive as the ship is, Travel Industry Council executive director Joseph Tung Yiu- chung said the Costa Allegra will offer itineraries similar to Star Cruises.

"It won't bring overseas tourists to Hong Kong,'' Tung said, adding the completion of the long-awaited cruise terminal at the former Kai Tak airport site will lure cruise companies into running more regular and long-term schedules.

Paul Leung Yiu-lam, chairman of Hong Kong Inbound Travel Association, also said that as the Costa Allegra is not a Hong Kong- based cruise ship, it will not benefit SAR tourism revenue much.

"We have been waiting 10 years for the cruise terminal. If we had one, we would be able to attract more international cruise companies, such as Royal Caribbean, and get more high-yield tourists from overseas who would stay longer here,'' Leung said.

But Leung welcomed the decision to sail the Costa Allegra on voyages from the SAR, noting it was the first European cruise company to make such an investment.

Company president Giovanni Onorato said it was exciting to expand into the Asian market, given its substantial growth potential. Onorato quoted a report published in London forecasting the number of cruise passengers in Hong Kong to reach 720,000 by 2010.

hkskyline

June 11th, 2006, 11:56 PM

府積極研究自資興建啟德郵輪碼頭
6月 2日星期五 08:11 更新
《香港經濟日報》

獲悉，港府正積極研究自資興建啟德郵輪碼頭。港府內部評估，此方案既可加快郵輪碼頭盡快「上馬」，如期於２０１１年落成，亦可加強新郵輪碼頭的競爭力，調低郵輪泊位費，以配合區內郵輪業增長所帶來的龐大機遇，將香港打造成地區郵輪中心。

港府消息人士透露，當局亦諮詢過法律意見，即使港府自資興建啟德郵輪碼頭，與九倉海運碼頭簽訂的協議並無牴觸，因政府與九倉簽訂的協議內容中，訂明若在２０１０年前，海運碼頭未能容納巨型郵輪的需要時，港府可自行興建。

randolphan

June 12th, 2006, 03:26 PM

I am so excited to hear from the brand new development plan! :)

Magic Night

June 14th, 2006, 09:18 AM

hkskyline

June 15th, 2006, 05:34 AM

釋放維港景觀盼息紛爭早拍板
啟德不建直升機大樓
15/06/2006
文：楊瑞貞、余志良

http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/news/20060615/img/sn05061504_big.jpg

為求啟德規劃能夠盡快上馬，據悉規劃署修訂規劃消除最後障礙，改善極具爭議、大殺維港景觀的跨境直升機場，將原擬樓高十層的機場大樓「夷為平地」，釋放更多維港景觀，但暫不落實興建連接跑道與觀塘的開合橋，以免因興建橋躉遭環保團體法律挑戰填海工程而拖慢進度，政府冀以民意壓力迫令開合橋成事。

據悉，啟德規劃最新修訂版本基本完成，政府於本月二十三日向立法會財務委員會申請添馬艦新政府總部五十二億元撥款，規劃署同日把啟德規劃提交城市規劃委員會商議，並於本月二十七日向立法會規劃地政及工程事務委員會詳細交代後，盡快進行公眾諮詢，爭取郵輪碼頭趕及在二○一一年竣工啟用。

貼近「體藝之都」構思
最新修訂版本貼近先前「體藝之都」的構思，設有都會公園、海濱長廊及露天茶座、酒店及購物街等。消息稱，規劃署在「魅力啟德」及「體藝之都」之間取中庸之道，把人口訂為八萬六千人，主要發展低密度住宅，並以開合式天幕運動場為地標，運動場夜間不關閉天幕，透過射燈及背後獅子山的襯托下，令所有駛入啟德碼頭的郵輪也可看到這顆新打造的「海上明珠」。

規劃最大的變動是把建議在跑道末端、樓高十層的跨境直升機場大樓「夷為平地」，機場位置移近郵輪碼頭，釋放更多維港景觀，希望消除最大的障礙。據悉，日後主要是珠三角單引擎直升機使用機場，為確保升降安全，該署堅持不把直升機場遷移到郵輪碼頭頂部。

以「零填海」出發的啟德規劃，根本是要避免環保人士的法律挑戰，但啟德跑道與觀塘被明渠出水口分隔，規劃署擬建開合橋連接觀塘與新城區，若在出水口中間建橋躉勢將惹起爭議。

未有納入民建聯建議
消息人士透露，啟德規劃已一波三折，不想因橋躉問題而「臨門一腳，入唔到波」，故新規劃不落實興建開合橋，但政府冀以民意壓力令環保人士考慮公眾利益而讓步，使政府在徇眾要求下落實興建開合橋。

對於民建聯建議闢設政府機構中心，消息稱，整個規劃並沒有納入這個建議，只會在公屋毗鄰設有綜合服務設施，類似各區的綜合服務大樓。

不過，本土文化再造主席林文輝強調，雖然政府刪除直升機場大樓這幢「大白象」，但新機場位置仍遮擋維港景觀，政府應該將機場搬往郵輪碼頭頂部。http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/img/endmarker.gif

hkskyline

June 15th, 2006, 06:02 AM

Kai Tak heliport plan defies objections
Leslie Kwoh
15 June 2006
Hong Kong Standard

The government has announced it will push ahead with plans to build a cross- border heliport at Kai Tak, despite opposition from members of the public and operators of heli-services.

"We're reserving a small area at the tip of the site, by the proposed cruise terminal," Deputy Secretary for Economic Development Wilson Fung Wing- yip said Wednesday. "The results of the public consultation so far have not been encouraging, but we hope the [new heliport] will meet the long-term needs of the community."

Fung said one major advantage of the location was that the new heliport and cruise terminal would be able to share customs, immigration and quarantine facilities.

He said the government will also expand two existing facilities on Hong Kong Island. A new helipad will be added to the existing one at the Macau Ferry Terminal heliport near the Shun Tak Centre.

In addition, the proposed two-pad heliport near the Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai, originally reserved for government use, will also cater to commercial domestic flights when it opens in 2008.

Fung made the remarks at a Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce event Wednesday.

The idea was greeted with some skepticism by representatives of the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee. "The committee is not questioning the need for a heliport, but how and where," said committee member and the chamber's senior director of business policy, Chan Wai-kwan. "But for the Kai Tak site, I'm not sure there are any supporters. The main objection is that the tip of the runway is the prettiest part of the site, and should be reserved for the public."

Heliservices, which operates helicopter services argues the site is too far away.

Christopher Buchholz, executive director of the Hong Kong Aviation Group, which runs Heliservices, said the expansion of the elevated Macau terminal heliport would bring little added benefit considering that it operates single-engine helicopters that require ground-level landings.

He suggested expanding the proposed heliport in Wan Chai from two to four pads. But Fung rejected the idea citing public interest.

Magic Night

June 15th, 2006, 12:01 PM

^^

Heliport is a bad idea, they can just build one anywhere, and same for the cruise terminal just as long as there's a shore. I support the new park, it'll help neutralize the extreme urban concrete stress level.

hkth

June 21st, 2006, 07:14 PM

RTHK news:
Blue print for Kai Tak 2006-06-21 HKT 18:40

Janice Wong reports (http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/video/ram/mfile_319631_1.ram)

The Government has given an undertaking that no reclamation will be involved in the redevelopment of the site at the old Kai Tak airport. Under proposed plans, the site will have a number of facilities, including a cruise terminal, a multi-purpose stadium, a metropolitan park and several housing units.

Kai Tak blue print welcomed 2006-06-21 HKT 18:48

http://www.rthk.org.hk/APSuppics/mfile_56_319634_2.jpg

Artist impression of a walkway along the former Kai Tak airport runway

Convenor of Citizen Envisioning at Harbour, Albert Lai (http://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/video/ram/mfile_319634_1.ram)

The Government has given an undertaking that no reclamation will be involved in the redevelopment of the site at the old Kai Tak airport. Under proposed plans, the site will have a number of facilities, including a cruise terminal, a multi-purpose stadium, a metropolitan park and several housing units. The Convenor of the group - Citizen Envisioning at Harbour - Albert Lai, welcomed the proposed plans for Kai Tak.

Siopao

June 21st, 2006, 07:18 PM

wow it looks nice :eek:

Stiggen

June 21st, 2006, 07:27 PM

^^ You're right

hkth

June 21st, 2006, 07:36 PM

Gov't Press Release from the Legislative Council:
LCQ17:Cruise terminal development (http://info.gov.hk/gia/general/200606/21/P200606200258.htm)

hkskyline

June 22nd, 2006, 03:37 AM

住宅發展大過兩個太古城
啟德成維港新地標
22/06/2006

http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/news/20060622/img/a60622_big.jpg

啟德空置八年後將會變天。政府推出啟德初步發展大綱圖，建議發展為匯集商業、住宅、綠茵、體育及旅遊特色的新焦點，成為維港四大地標之一。該區將發展成較兩個太古城更大的住宅區，提供二萬九千個新住宅單位，容納八萬六千五百人，並新增七十萬平方米辦公室建築樓面面積。撇除郵輪碼頭，單是商住及酒店單位土地，粗略估計至少將帶來一千二百億元經濟效益。

城規會明天討論啟德初步發展大綱圖，並展開為期兩個月的諮詢，並在下周二向立法會規劃地政及工程事務委員會介紹。若一切順利，最快要二○一○年後完成基建，再賣地發展。

提供八萬五就業機會
現時的會展、啟德的郵輪碼頭、添馬艦新政府總部及西九，將成為維港兩岸四大地標。消息人士表示，政府經過兩階段公眾諮詢後，明白市民希望啟德有更多空間和新穎規劃，故啟德初步發展大綱圖令該幅三百二十八公頃土地，成為體育、康樂、旅遊、商務及優質房屋中心，而工程更可創造八萬五千四百個就業機會。

啟德將有二萬九千個新住宅單位，較兩個太古城的住宅發展更大；新增七十萬平方米的辦公室建築樓面面積，較港島東的辦公室發展更大；新增六千八百個酒店房間，即十七間各有四百個房間的酒店，約達尖沙咀區內酒店數目的一半。但平均住宅地積比率介乎三至五倍，非住宅地積比率則介乎四至九點五倍；樓宇高度亦有限制，最高為一百七十五米。

以沙中線站為中心點
沙中線啟德站和鄰近的車站廣場將成為中心點，此處北部有辦公室區，廣場東面亦有一公頃的政府建築物，包括政府合署及社區設施等用途，但有多少部門遷入需深入研究。

單以商住發展規模計算，若以土瓜灣傲雲峰的六百呎單位售價二百五十萬元計算，扣除啟德的一萬一千個公屋單位後，一萬八千個住宅單位估計約值四百五十億元；現時中環甲級寫字樓每平方呎九千元，假設啟德屬同類甲級寫字樓，估計約值六百三十九億元；現時一間酒店房間成本為一百五十萬元，啟德的六千八百個酒店房間便值一百億元，估計可帶來一千二百億元經濟收益。

近兩年九龍區新單位供應逐步減少，中原測量師行聯席董事張競達指出，啟德是分階段發展，單位不會一下子推出，加上單位數量不算很多，若按年平穩推出，不會影響樓市。 http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/img/endmarker.gif

hkth

June 22nd, 2006, 07:55 AM

RTHK news:
No reclamation involved in redevelopment of old Kai Tak airport site 2006-06-22 HKT 01:48

The Government has given an undertaking that no reclamation will be involved in the redevelopment of the site at the old Kai Tak airport. Under proposed plans, the site will have a number of facilities, including a cruise terminal, a multi-purpose stadium, a metropolitan park and several housing units.

hkth

June 22nd, 2006, 08:51 AM

Graphic from today's Ming Pao:

http://www.mingpaonews.com/20060622/22gaw.gif

There would have a railway station and a stadium in the North. A metro park, low-rise buildings, criuse terminal and a heliport on the former runway. Remaining lands are for commercil and residestal use. Height limit is enforced for the buildings to protect the view of the Lion Rock, the mountain which seperate between the Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories.

_00_deathscar

June 22nd, 2006, 09:29 AM

That looks brilliant that! Will really give HK a new facelift (or at least the Kowloon/NT side of Hong Kong).

I just wonder though, will there REALLY be that much green?

Knowing the HK Government, don't count on it.

hkskyline

June 22nd, 2006, 03:59 PM

I think there is a huge chance that the greenery will stay. If not, then why would the renderings looks so good when the government will need to explain why the real plan won't be anything like what they proposed (assuming the renderings are theirs).

There is a greater push for urban greenery of late. I think there will be more vegetation on the streets of HK going forward as part of the new shift to environmentalism and sustainable development.

hktreasure

June 22nd, 2006, 05:40 PM

Kai Tak Planning Review Stage 3
Public Consultation Digest
http://www.pland.gov.hk/p_study/prog_s/sek_09/website_chib5_eng/english/Eng_Digest_3_Full_Low.pdf

hkskyline

June 23rd, 2006, 03:36 PM

Developers give nod to Kai Tak bid
Winnie Chong
Hong Kong Standard
Friday, June 23, 2006

Two Hong Kong property giants have voiced their support for the government's blueprint for redeveloping the former airport at Kai Tak.

Sun Hung Kai Properties vice chairman and managing director Thomas Kwok Ping-kwong welcomed the plan, which has been criticized by legislators.

"The spatial feeling is quite good. The design was concerned about [creating a] lower density, which gives more space," Kwok said.

He said he likes the design, as the combination is "quite good," with sports fields, public housing, private housing and offices.

Lui Chee-woo, chairman of K Wah International Holdings, echoed Kwok's comments.

"Kai Tak airport has been abandoned for a long time. It is time to use it," Lui said, adding that since the government has yet to disclose full details he cannot tell if his firm will tender for projects.

The proposals released by the administration Wednesday show that under the preliminary outline development plan, the site will provide 700,000 square meters of Grade-A office space with a plot ratio of up to 9.5.

That is almost four times more than the area proposed in one of the original concept plans.

The runway will also house 17 large hotels, providing a total of 6,800 new hotel rooms - the equivalent of half of all the hotels in Tsim Sha Tsui.

Hotel operators will be responsible for building adjacent public facilities, such as a bus terminus, a government source said.

A two-berth cruise terminal, helipad and a 50,000-capacity sports stadium have all been retained from the three concept plans to ensure the site becomes a tourism and sports hub.

About 90 hectares of road networks, comprising 25 percent of the site area, will be provided to link the redeveloped Kai Tak area with the surrounding districts of Kowloon City, Kowloon Bay and Ngau Tau Kok.

An underground trunk road will link the runway to Kwun Tong and Tseung Kwan O.

Aboveday

June 23rd, 2006, 05:11 PM

http://netalbum.netvigator.com/photos/2006/06/23/c3133321322660791151071674563.jpg

from rthk.org.hk

hkth

June 23rd, 2006, 06:15 PM

From news.gov.hk:
Views sought on Kai Tak draft plan (http://news.gov.hk/en/category/infrastructureandlogistics/060623/html/060623en06005.htm)

hkth

June 23rd, 2006, 06:25 PM

RTHK news:
Government says there'll be contraints on Kai Tak link 2006-06-23 HKT 18:31

he Director of Planning, Bosco Fung (Thttp://www.rthk.org.hk/rthk/news/video/ram/mfile_320244_1.ram)

The government says there will be constraints in linking Kwun Tong with the old Kai Tak airport site when it's redeveloped. Speaking at the start of a two-month consultation on the project, the Director of Planning, Bosco Fung, also said that he didn't feel there would be any need for reclamation. He spoke about the problem in linking Kwun Tong with Kai Tak.

HongKongDisneyland

June 23rd, 2006, 10:28 PM

Picture from RTHK
http://www.rthk.org.hk/APSuppics/mfile_55_320262_3.jpg

Skyscrapercitizen

June 24th, 2006, 01:00 AM

I don't like the plans of the models above. There is to much open space, over dimensioned roads, so not enough urbanity. Looks like chaos of not working greenery with not working urbanitiy. Just a bad plan.

This plan is much better. Is has urban blocks which can create lively urban life, a lovely new urban district. Is has concentrated green, which has a connection to the mountains and to the water. And it has some nice water related parts in it which can become lovely. The plan can bring nice contrasts, diversity, quality green in an urban setting.

Please don't make the mistake to build a garden city here, it never worked anywhere on earth!

Swire's Kai Tak Vision
http://www.swireproperties.com/kaitak

http://www.swireproperties.com/kaitak/images/the_vision.jpg

Open Space Amenities
O1 Kai Tak Park
O2 Continuous Southeast Kowloon
O3 Kai Tak Ribbon Park
O4 Kai Tak Point

Public Facilities
P1 Kai Tak Stadium
P2 Kowloon Bay Yacht Club
P3 Kowloon Bay Hospital
P4 Schools, including International Schools
P5 MTR/KCR Depot

Residential Neighbourhoods
R1 Kowloon City South
R2 Diamond Foothills
R3 Kai Tak Archipelago
R4 Kowloon Bay Waterfront
R5 Kai Tak Point

Castle_Bravo

June 24th, 2006, 01:08 AM

I also think that the plan isn't good. The Part where the terminal before was, must have more density and urban blocks. The plan for the redevelopment of the runeways is good, becouse it's on water, and not in the middle of the city.

Skyscrapercitizen

June 24th, 2006, 01:15 AM

^^

In the model the pier has big blocks in green. It just doesn't fit in! It seems to have totally no relation to the water, and the location on the water is amazing, you can do wonerfull things with it.

Smaller scale houses/buildings, related to the water, would be perfect here, possibly with marina's. That will bring a new unique housing type to Hong Kong with a great view over victoria harbour! In the design you can have a look at old harbour town in Hong Kong, with buildings in the water.

Sexas

June 24th, 2006, 03:05 AM

The model just for an idea layout, I sure the real one will look totally difference. As for layout go, it look okay I just think they can switch the sport center inland as it don't need to have a harboru view... also I hope to see one or two super tall there.

hkth

June 24th, 2006, 11:12 AM

From news.gov.hk:
Kai Tak plan caters for future needs

Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning & Lands Rita Lau says the draft development plan for Kai Tak caters for the next generation's needs, adding the Government is considering introducing pollution-free vehicles for internal transport in the area.

Speaking on a radio talk show today Mrs Lau said there will be a comprehensive transport network in Kai Tak, making it an easily accessible location. In addition to the proposed public transport interchange, pollution-free vehicles may be used to connect major components of the area.

Mrs Lau said the construction of a multi-purpose stadium ties in with the Government's healthy lifestyle promotion, adding that the facility can be used for sports events and cultural activities.

Noting the construction of the proposed two-berth cruise terminal will involve dredging, Mrs Lau said an environmental assessment will be conducted before the works start.

When asked whether Metro Park will be a private garden for nearby luxury resident developments, she said it will be a public facility, 1.4 times the size of Victoria Park.

jason poon

June 25th, 2006, 07:11 AM

I really don't like the government's plan while the plan from Swires is much impressive.

Both West Kowloon Waterfront and Kai Tak is two lastest valuable lands in Hongkong, they will be our economic engine if the government can handle them properly. Their values may only be maximized by upgrading their classes, especially Kai Tai where is a traditional general public residential area without major commercial values.

I really wonder the Kai Tak plan from the government is just a conservative manner to "fill in the blank" without adding values to the area, a primary school student may easily achieve the same......HK's revenue is much depended on the auction of land and a world-class town plan in these two lastest lands may enhance the continuous economic boom while the current plan may only introduce another "new residential town" like Shatin and Tseung Kwan O.

hkia

June 25th, 2006, 02:21 PM

The plan's too conservative. They should put something out of this world there. I want to be WOWed.

hkskyline

June 25th, 2006, 06:03 PM

The fear is that if the government lets loose the planning for the sake of taking in more money, it'll result in a sea of 70+ storey skyscrapers that will block each other out and ruin the lives of everyone inside.

hkskyline

June 25th, 2006, 11:08 PM

Kwun Tong is Kai Tak's weak link, says board Airport site's redevelopment needs a bridge to its neighbours, say planners
24 June 2006
South China Morning Post

Poor access, a shortage of roads and the size and location of a multipurpose stadium complex were among concerns raised at a meeting of the Town Planning Board yesterday to discuss the blueprint for the redevelopment of the Kai Tak area.

Several board members, along with Chan Wai-kwan, who chairs the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee's subcommittee on Southeast Kowloon Development, pointed out that the 700,000-odd residents of Kwun Tong would be cut off from Kai Tak.

According to the preliminary outline development plan released this week, no pedestrian or vehicle links will be built across the water between Kai Tak's former runway and Kwun Tong, which lies north of the runway's southeastern end.

Board members also expressed concern over the transport facilities within the 328-hectare Kai Tak area. Only one road will run along the 3km former runway, connecting a rail station at the northwestern end to features including a cruise terminal, Metro Park, low-density residential development, tourism facilities and hotels.

Greg Wong Chak-yan, president of the Hong Kong Institute of Engineers, said the one road might not be enough to serve the area's cruise passengers, tourists, visitors and residents.

Dr Chan said the poor connections could deter the public from visiting Kai Tak and its Metro Park, which might then become an exclusive recreational area for residents of the luxury flats along the former runway.

Bosco Fung Chi-keung, director of planning, conceded that the development's proposed connection with Kwun Tong was particularly weak. He promised to study options to solve the problem, including the introduction of passenger sampans and a moveable bridge across the water separating Kwun Tong from Kai Tak.

The government is also considering using environment-friendly vehicles to help traffic flow within the district, Mr Fung said. But he did not address the need for more roads.

Another board member, Bernard Lim Wan-fung, criticised the location of the development's multi-purpose stadium complex.

Spanning 23.5 hectares of land on the sea-side junction between the runway and the rest of the Kai Tak site, the complex will include two stadiums - one with 45,000 seats, the other 5,000 - and various recreational facilities.

"There is no reason why the stadium should be put at such a strategic location, and why we should build such a huge complex, except that the government wants to show it off as one of the icons of Hong Kong," Professor Lim said. "The location and size of the complex will have a profound impact on the planning of Kai Tak. The government should not sacrifice Kai Tak for the sake of showing off."

Mr Fung denied that the complex would serve only as a new icon of Hong Kong, while a spokesman for the Home Affairs Bureau said there was a need for world-class sports facilities and that only half of the 23.5 hectares would be devoted to the stadiums.

The government has been assessing the feasibility of removing 600 metres of the runway to improve water circulation and reduce sedimentation in the Kai Tak nullah, according to a spokesman from the Civil Engineering and Development Department. A conclusion should be reached within nine months.

The preliminary plan outlining the development of Kai Tak will be open to public consultation for two months. A draft of overall zoning plans is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

jpq21

June 26th, 2006, 03:31 AM

[size=4]The government has been assessing the feasibility of removing 600 metres of the runway to improve water circulation and reduce sedimentation in the Kai Tak nullah, according to a spokesman from the Civil Engineering and Development Department. A conclusion should be reached within nine months.

The preliminary plan outlining the development of Kai Tak will be open to public consultation for two months. A draft of overall zoning plans is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

It would by nice if they could start construction in 2007. It would even be nice if they could finish the planning by 2007. Its been almost a decade and they still haven't done anything.

jpq21

June 26th, 2006, 03:33 AM

Picture from RTHK
http://www.rthk.org.hk/APSuppics/mfile_55_320262_3.jpg
My dad lives in the apartments right next to the "3" (Skytower)
I used to go to school at the place below and to the left those apartments, with the two basketball courts. (CAIS)

hkskyline

June 27th, 2006, 04:28 PM

Sports hub has public backing: Ho
Chester Yung
Hong Kong Standard
Tuesday, June 27, 2006

A proposed 27-hectare sports stadium at the former Kai Tak airport has public support and will aid sports development in Hong Kong, Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho chi-ping claimed Monday.

Ho said the proposed multipurpose, 45,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof will provide much needed sports venues for the city.

The world-standard facility will also be suitable for other major events, he said.

Environmentalists want the former airport site to be turned into a green zone, while critics argue there is already a stadium in nearby Hung Hom for multipurpose events.

To justify the plan, Ho, speaking on an RTHK program, said Hong Kong has the potential to become the "City of Sports."

"The general expectation for a stadium in the 21st century is much higher than 30 years ago," he said, adding that Hong Kong should have a stadium with the latest technology and facilities.

Last Friday, the Planning Department unveiled its vision for the 328-hectare old Kai Tak airport site, promising "exciting activities" and green spaces while maintaining links to the community's heritage.

Planning for the land, largely unused since the opening of Hong Kong International Airport at Chek Lap Kok in 1998, began in June 2002 after then- chief executive Tung Chee-hwa gave his approval to the initial Outline Zoning Plan.

Ho also said Hong Kong's preparations are proceeding well for the 2008 Olympic equestrian events.

A ceremony will be held on August 8 to promote community participation in the events.

He also said the 2009 East Asian Games Planning Committee has selected 19 competitions and two demonstration events for the games and submitted them to the organizing committee for consideration.

Among the 19 competitions selected, 15 are Olympic events while the other four are sports in which Hong Kong athletes have done well.

hkskyline

June 28th, 2006, 05:47 AM

啟德交通設施不足
體育館恐成「大白象」
28/06/2006
太陽報

【本報訊】啟德規劃發展大綱展開第三階段諮詢之後，屢遭批評對外交通不足，規劃署透露，將在啟德設置二十二個行人設施和四個交通交匯處，但有立法會議員批評，交通設施不足，將令東九龍二百二十萬人難以享用啟德內的設施，擔心可容納四萬五千人的多用途體育館使用率低，變成啟德「大白象」。

規劃署表示，會在啟德設置四個交通交匯處，並有海上交通工具連接，方便區外市民前往啟德市中心和跑道公園。立法會規劃地政及工程事務委員會昨日召開會議，陳婉嫻表示，東南九龍共有二百二十萬人口，按現時的交通安排，他們很難享用啟德內設施，她說：「要發展大規模地下城，居民先會行去啟德。」她直言，用駁艇代替建橋連接觀塘不切實際。

研究引入環保電動車
另一名議員陳鑑林表示，都會公園位於跑道遠離民居，質疑公園選址欠理想。亦有議員批評當局只在啟德外圍興建天橋連接毗連的九龍城、土瓜灣、新蒲崗和觀塘，未能真正融合啟德與舊區。郭家麒擔心在啟德興建面積二十四公頃的多用途體育館，將會成為「大白象」，因體育館如沒有賽事，便恍如「死城」。身兼城市規劃委員會委員的劉秀成質疑，體育館選址海邊明顯不恰當，建議當局把體育館向內移，「觀眾入去係睇賽事，體育館放海邊，會好似文化中心浪費咁靚海景。」房屋及規劃地政局常任秘書長劉吳惠蘭重申，正研究在啟德引入環保電動車，同時在九龍城興建地下購物街連接至體育館。

Cunning Linguist

June 28th, 2006, 01:30 PM

hkskyline

June 28th, 2006, 06:31 PM

More links urged for Kai Tak
28 June 2006
South China Morning Post

Legislators were united yesterday in calling for better connections between a redeveloped Kai Tak and neighbouring districts to ensure the plan revitalises the whole of southeast Kowloon.

More underground shopping arcades and better pedestrian footbridges were among the suggestions put forward to better integrate Kai Tak with its neighbourhood, including Kowloon City, Kowloon Bay and To Kwa Wan.

The Liberal Party's Selina Chow Liang Shuk-yee, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, told the Legislative Council's planning, lands and works panel it would not be sensible to segregate Kai Tak from the economic activities of old districts.

She also raised concerns a proposed cruise terminal, which would take up an 800-metre stretch of the former airport runway, might not be big enough to cope with the growth in tourist traffic.

Legislators also challenged the suggested harbourfront location for a 23-hectare stadium complex.

Patrick Lau Sau-shing, who represents the architectural, surveying and planning sector, said the stadium could be as big a fiasco as the Cultural Centre.

"It will be such a waste of the sea view because, like the Cultural Centre, people go to the stadium to watch what is inside the building instead of what is outside," Dr Lau said. "The harbourfront land should be allocated for residential or commercial development."

oriental_horizon

June 29th, 2006, 08:34 AM

very geng plans

_00_deathscar

June 30th, 2006, 08:16 AM

What's the point of another stadium if it's not going to be filled? HK will never be the city of sports mainly because there's not *that* much enthusiasm for sports there. How often is the HK stadium used?

That's what I thought too - it'd look great certainly, but it's hardly ever going to be used.

Also, when sports team do come here, only the likes of Real Madrid, Man Utd, Liverpool and so on will sell out.

I remember when Newcastle came here during 'peak' season and it looked like only 15-20 000 were inside the stadium. When Liverpool and Real Madrid came Hong Kong Stadium was sold out.

Unless they decide to invite music artists and host them in the stadium, that could be a good idea were the venue not so far (relative terms) from downtown and the airport.

hkskyline

July 3rd, 2006, 06:27 PM

Interest shown in Kai Tak project
Hong Kong Standard
Monday, July 03, 2006

http://thestandard.com.hk/newsimage/20060703/kai-tak.jpg

Swire Pacific chairman Christopher Pratt said the company is "interested" in the former airport site, which the government said last month will be redeveloped into a multi-purpose leisure and tourist hub with sports fields, residential projects, hotels and offices, as well as a cruise liner terminal.
He did not provide further details about which specific projects in the 328-hectare site are of most interest to Swire.

The government is currently conducting public consultations on Kai Tak redevelopment plans, but Pratt said Swire has not yet made a written submission.

"Swire is likely to be most interested in the potential of the Kai Tak site for office and commercial developments," said an investment bank analyst.

The Kai Tak site contains the potential for up to 700,000 square meters of Grade-A office space, the analyst said.

Pratt said Swire is very confident about prospects of the office and commercial property market in Hong Kong.

"From a strategic point of view, Swire is aiming to achieve more long- term returns from its property assets, which means it will favor commercial properties over residential properties," the analyst said.

The private residential portion of the government's blueprint for Kai Tak will contain space for the development of up to 18,000 apartments.

The site will also spawn up to 17 new hotels to provide up to 6,800 rooms, or about half the total room inventory in the Tsim Sha Tsui area.

"Swire already has substantial stakes in several five-star hotels on Hong Kong island, and is also considering plans to invest in new hotel projects in Britain," the analyst said.

"The group is therefore likely to be interested in the hotel projects in Kai Tak."

Planning for the land, largely unused since the opening of Hong Kong International Airport in 1998, began in June 2002 after then chief executive Tung Chee-hwa approved the initial Outline Zoning Plan.

When the Planning Department unveiled its blueprint for Kai Tak last month, it estimated the project will generate up to 85,000 new jobs.

hkskyline

July 3rd, 2006, 11:10 PM

Kai Tak cruise terminal plan `for a fraction of Tamar cost'
Jonathan Cheng
Hong Kong Standard
Tuesday, July 04, 2006

http://thestandard.com.hk/newsimage/20060704/cruise.jpg

Plans for the development of a world- class cruise terminal at the old Kai Tak airport site will cost less than HK$1 billion, making it only a fifth of the cost of the new government headquarters at Tamar, a senior government source said.

But the government, eager to dispel long-standing public fears of collusion between officials and Hong Kong's powerful developers after the West Kowloon debacle, will retain ownership of the valuable waterfront property and only seek bids for construction and management of the site.

The source also said that the government will build more than the two cruise ship berths outlined in last month's blueprints, saying it will work closely with industry representatives to "tailor" the terminal to their needs.

The news comes as one of the cruise industry's leading businessmen visited Hong Kong Monday to meet local tourism officials, saying he was optimistic about the city's ambitions to become a regional cruise hub.

Adam Goldstein, president of Miami-based Royal Caribbean International, added that his company, one of the world's leading cruise operators, is itching to begin running routes to the mainland through Hong Kong, calling plans to build the terminal by 2011 "quite late for us."

For years Royal Caribbean made regular stops in Hong Kong, until the fallout from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks forced the company's pull-out from Asia. For the past five years, it has not offered any cruises in Asia. That, Goldstein said, will change.

"Our goal over time is being present in all of the important markets, and that means being back here again," Goldstein said, calling his company's return to the city "a question of when, not if."

Put together, the developments suggest that both the government and business interests have settled on locating a cruise terminal at the 328-hectare Kai Tak site, one of the last and most sought-after undeveloped plots of land in Hong Kong's famous Victoria Harbour.

Last month the Planning Department unveiled blueprints placing a cruise terminal at the center of its designs for Kai Tak, a move meant to boost tourism and stimulate development in southeast Kowloon.

In addition to the proposed cruise terminal, the government's plans for the site include prime office space, low-rise housing, a waterfront park, a massive stadium and 17 large hotels.

Those blueprints implicitly rejected proposals from private developers to locate the cruise terminal at other locations along the harborfront, such as North Point and Tsim Sha Tsui.

But the senior government source said the administration will formally announce its rejection of the bids from six private consortiums in the near future in order to push ahead with its plans for Kai Tak.

According to the source, the site will be developed according to a model similar to that which governs the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation: the government will retain 100 percent ownership of the land, only allowing bids for development and management rights.

Under this plan, the government will have to seek funding approval for the project in the Legislative Council, like they did for Tamar.

Late last month administration officials won the HK$5.1 billion they sought for that site after a dogged months-long campaign to win over reluctant legislators.

Groundbreaking on the Kai Tak development is slated for 2008, with hopes that the site will be open to the public by 2011. The source said many details had still not been worked out, and that plans had not yet been brought before the Executive Council for consultation. But he described the plans for a cruise terminal as a done deal.

Royal Caribbean president Goldstein met for about an hour with officials from the Hong Kong Tourism Commission and the Hong Kong Tourism Board Monday, saying he was "pleased" with the tone and direction of the dialogue.

"We were quite pleased with the discussions," Goldstein said. "We feel there's an open attitude here about the requirements of a future cruise terminal, and how to work cruise infrastructure into the overall infrastructure of the city."

Goldstein said his company had already booked all of its ships up to the beginning of 2008, but added that Royal Caribbean was "evaluating options for placing ships in Hong Kong after the spring of 2008."

He called the projected 2011 opening date further away than he had hoped. But he said the quality of the development is more important than the timetable, since the terminal will support cruise operators for the next three decades.

"As long as the right infrastructure is built here in Hong Kong, which year it comes is not as important. If the right terminal arrives in 2011, that'd be a great thing for us."

Goldstein rejected suggestions that Kai Tak was a problematic site for a cruise terminal because of its distance from the upscale hotels of Tsim Sha Tsui and Central, calling the criticisms "premature."

He said: "So much depends on the transportation links that are built."

When asked by reporters if the blueprint's two berths would be enough for the industry, Goldstein quickly replied in the negative, saying business in the region could "grow and grow and grow."

"There is tremendous potential in Asia, and I'm very optimistic about the industry here," Goldstein said.

He also said he hoped the government would give the industry a chance to work on the "nitty-gritty" details.

"There's no opportunity yet to really give detailed feedback on what we'd like to see, but we hope to have that opportunity, because it matters a lot," Goldstein said.

Goldstein is on a four-city tour of the region that also includes meetings with officials in Singapore, Shanghai and Tokyo, and described Shanghai officials as "very interested" and "aggressive" in seeking a cruise terminal of their own.

But Goldstein said that building cruise terminals at other cities in the region was in concert - not in competition - with Hong Kong's aspirations.

"It's unlikely that just one hub city can be an answer to all the opportunities in the region," he said. "It would not be bad for the region if Hong Kong, and Shanghai, and Singapore became home to cruise ports."

Rama Rebbapragada, the company's director of sales and marketing for the region, also said Monday that the Hong Kong terminal will provide an opening for the mainland's massive untapped market.

"We are very bullish on the China market, and Hong Kong will have a role to play in terms of opening that up," he said. "We feel with one of our ships over here, we could really capture that opportunity here."

hkskyline

July 4th, 2006, 06:16 PM

Kai Tak terminal attracts interest
Cruise operator in 'constructive' talks with tourism chief
4 July 2006
South China Morning Post

A leading cruise operator has expressed interest in the government's proposal to build a cruise terminal at Kai Tak, following a meeting between visiting company executives and Tourism Commissioner Au King-chi yesterday.

After the meeting, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises president Adam Goldstein was quick to comment on the design and infrastructure of the terminal, which will be in operation as early as 2011 under a government proposal unveiled last month. It will have two berths for ships of over 50,000 tonnes.

"We had a good and constructive conversation over the cruise market and Hong Kong's new terminal," said Mr Goldstein.

The company is involved in at least four cruise terminals around the world - St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, Barcelona, Miami and Venice.

Asked whether Royal Caribbean was interested in operating or investing in the cruise terminal at the former airport site, general manager Joseph Lam said it was too early to comment.

Mr Goldstein said the government was heading in the right direction with the Kai Tak plan and that 2011 was not too late for the city to have a new terminal.

It was more important to get the "right" terminal in place by 2011, he said, noting that more berths would be needed to meet future demand in the rapidly growing cruise industry.

"In the next 10 to 15 years, [Hong Kong may] need more than two berths for cruise ships, but it should take one step at a time," he said.

Mr Goldstein shrugged off criticisms that the lack of first-class hotels and related facilities would undermine Kai Tak's position as a cruise terminal site, noting that its attractiveness would depend on its links with other parts of Hong Kong.

"Hong Kong has great infrastructure," he said.

Royal Caribbean is planning to sail a cruise ship to Hong Kong in early 2008 and will expand its business to the mainland to capture the opportunities in Asia, especially from the mainland and India.

It said the world's largest cruise ship, Freedom of the Seas, would set sail next year.

But the vessel, which has taken three years to design and build, might not sail to Hong Kong until 2011 as it could carry about 4,300 passengers and weighed 160,000 tonnes - too big for Hong Kong's present cruise ship terminal.

hkskyline

July 4th, 2006, 06:37 PM

'Ghost city' fears voiced in Legco over Kai Tak plan
Albert Wong
28 June 2006
Hong Kong Standard

The government's bold redevelopment plan for the 328-hectare Kai Tak site may become a "ghost city," with another "white elephant" and other expensive structures cut off from the public and of no use, lawmakers have warned.

"Hong Kong's Central Park?" scoffed Chan Kam-lam, a member of the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, referring to the proposed Metro Park on the former airport runway.

"From what I can see, it's in the center of the water, in the center of a foul-smelling gully, but nowhere near any of the residents [of Kowloon East]," he said.

Independent lawmaker Albert Chan Wai-yip said the whole area risked becoming a "ghost city," because the huge area reserved for a stadium will be rarely used, the government center will shut down at five every night, and other features down the runway are so poorly connected.

Chan Yuen-han, a lawmaker for Kowloon East, said the "whole design has neglected [the neighboring] residents." She noted that the only viable solution proposed so far to allow Kwun Tong residents access the site directly was via leisure boats.

"Is the substantial population of Kwun Tong supposed to float and drift its way to [Kai Tak]?" she said.

Nine senior civil servants Tuesday made their first presentation of the proposed Kai Tak redevelopment plan to the Legislative Council.

Armed with a power point presentation and computer-simulated displays of gorgeous panoramic views and a vibrant population cycling around the site, Deputy Director of Planning Ophelia Wong Yuen-sheung emphasized the abundance of greenery and the preservation of the local heritage.

The development will "return [the runway] to the public," she said.

The Kai Tak redevelopment, which will include a world-class stadium, will complete the lineup of four harborfront icons, according to Wong. The others are the West Kowloon cultural district, the Tamar government headquarters and the existing Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

But most lawmakers present, especially those representing the affected Kowloon East constituency, were unconvinced. They were particularly concerned about the foul-smelling Kai Tak nullah, and what they perceived as insufficient links to the features further down the runway.

Wong said pedestrian links are smoothly stitched so that people can enjoy the views as they walk from the base, down the runway.

However, Director of Planning Bosco Fung Chee-keung conceded last week that the non-existent link between Kwun Tong and the runway stretch directly opposite it, is the plan's "weakest link."

Wong said Tuesday the government will have to wait and see, depending on whether the current cargo operations area between the runway and Kwun Tong is removed, before deciding how to create a link.

The government says it plans to clear up the nullah and remove the "odorous sediment," before breaking up the banks to allow seawater to flow into the nullah under Metro Park.

Rita Lau Ng Wai-lan, Permanent Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands, who led the government party Tuesday, said she is confident the nullah will be successfully cleaned.

"If this is not remedied, the whole of the Kai Tak plan would not proceed," she said.

Albert Chan said the whole development has "betrayed the residents" of neighboring districts, since it fails to offer ways of regenerating rundown areas such as Kwun Tong, San Po Kong, and Kowloon Bay.

Chan Yuen-han was concerned the development would become the private playground for those living in luxury houses there. "It's a beautiful development, but how do the people [in the neighboring districts] get there?" she said. She noted that 2.2 million people live in the surrounding districts and proposed an "underground city" which emerges at the runway, rather than having to walk through quaint walkways or promenades along the long stretch.

Independent lawmaker Kwok Ka- ki said the state-of-the-art stadium, which would have a retractable roof and a sliding turf, will be another "white elephant."

"What is the West Kowloon cultural district supposed to hold, if the sports stadium also hosts cultural events? And what sporting event in Hong Kong regularly fills up a 45,000 stadium?" he asked.

Janet Wong Chin-kiu, from the Home Affairs Bureau, said the new stadium would provide complementary facilities, lacking in the current stadium, which would encourage more sporting activities.

She did not provide annual attendance figures for the current stadium.

Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, lawmaker for the Sports, Performing Arts, Culture and Publication constituency, said the sporting community supports the project.

The Kai Tak plan was revealed to the media last Wednesday.

Public forums will be held next month and in August in the districts most affected by the proposed developments.

hkskyline

July 6th, 2006, 09:40 PM

DAB urges Kai Tak link-up
Leslie Kwoh
Hong Kong Standard
Friday, July 07, 2006

A link between the former Kai Tak airport site and neighboring Kwun Tong district is not only technically feasible but crucial to ensuring the area is successfully redeveloped, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong has said.

The party Thursday unveiled an alternative blueprint for the 328-hectare site that links the tip of the old airport runway to Kwun Tong via a 500-meter bridge.

"The old areas surrounding the site just keep getting older," lawmaker Chan Kam-lam said. "Our focus is connectivity. We hope the new developments will help to revitalize the neighboring areas."

Despite strong public backing for such a link, government plans released for the site last month indicated no pedestrian or vehicle bridges between the two areas would be built across the water.

But DAB consultant and architect Philip Liao Yi-kang urged the government to consider relocating the public cargo area, located directly north of the runway tip, to eliminate the link's main obstacle.

The Planning Department has confirmed the cargo area will be relocated in phases, but has yet to provide a timetable or relocation destination.

"If the public cargo area is relocated, there should be absolutely no problem building a bridge there," Liao said. "It's not a matter of technicality, but of need. We need to look at the whole concept and not be bogged down by the small details."

The proposed link was welcomed by Chan Wai-kwan, who chairs the Southeast Kowloon development subcommittee of the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee.

While Chan said he was reluctant to comment on the other aspects of the model, given his advisory role to the government, he praised the Kwun Tong link as a "very good idea."

Lawmaker Patrick Lau Sau-shing, who represents the architectural, surveying and planning sector, also welcomed the proposal but cautioned that while the cargo area could be relocated "almost anywhere else," the process could be difficult as it might affect "a way of living" for some Kwun Tong residents.

The DAB's model also challenged the proposed harborfront location for a 23-hectare stadium complex, recommending it be moved further inland instead.

The large expanse of green called "Metropark," which the government proposed to locate along the runway, should then be moved west to encircle the stadium.

A man-made sandy beach linking the park to the waterfront would complete this "green center."

"The stadium doesn't need to be on the waterfront - leave that piece of land for the public," said party consultant Dickson Hui Chak-hung, from architecture and design firm Llewelyn- Davies Hong Kong, adding that the SAR lags even mainland cities when it comes to planning green space along waterfronts.

The repositioning of the stadium and park would improve public accessibility to those venues by reducing walking time for residents from surrounding areas such as To Kwa Wan and San Po Kong from up to 35 minutes to as little as five minutes.

Taking the place of Metropark's isolated runway position would be a mix of residential and commercial developments, which would be linked to the rest of the site via a HK$800 million monorail. The six-kilometer track would begin at the Kwun Tong MTR station on the east end of the site and end at the stadium on the west, completing a single 12-stop loop in under 30 minutes.

DAB consultant and transport expert Shirley Tam Sut-lai, from MVA Hong Kong, said the purpose of the monorail was not to eliminate the need for the proposed trunk road at the site, but to minimize the number of vehicles traveling along the road.

As for the government's planned two-berth cruise terminal, the DAB said it did not object to the proposal but recommended better use of the space.

Building residential complexes behind the terminal, for example, would ensure the area did not become a "dead zone" between dockings and retail shops and have a regular flow of customers.

The party also recommended replacing a proposed helipad adjacent to the terminal with a public observation deck, thus eliminating any effects of noise on residents.

The government kicks off the third phase of public consultation on Kai Tak tomorrow.

hkskyline

July 7th, 2006, 02:58 AM

Kai Tak Airport History & Name Origin
http://www.cad.gov.hk/english/kaitak.html

http://www.cad.gov.hk/english/engimages/kt02.jpg

hkskyline

July 11th, 2006, 04:29 PM

Stage 3 Public Participation of Kai Tak Planning Review to hold the first public forum
Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Government Press Release

The Planning Department will hold a Public Forum this Saturday (July 8) to seek public views on the draft Preliminary Outline Development Plan (PODP) for the Kai Tak development.

The forum is the first of a series of public engagement events organised within the two-month period of the Stage 3 Public Participation of Kai Tak Planning Review launched on June 23.

The forum will be held on Saturday from 9am to 12.30pm at the Assembly Hall, 4th Floor, YMCA Hong Kong, 41 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.

The Director of Hong Kong Institute of Asia-Pacific Studies of Chinese University of Hong Kong, Professor Yeung Yue-man, will be the convenor of the forum, while panellists include Legislative Council member, Professor Patrick Lau; Vice-Chairman of the Town Planning Board, Dr Peter Wong; Vice-Chairman of the Metro Planning Committee of the Town Planning Board, Ir Dr Greg Wong; Vice-Chairman of the Rural & New Town Committee of the Town Planning Board, Mr Michael Lai; Chairman of the Sub-committee on South East Kowloon Development Review of Harbour-front Enhancement Committee, Dr Chan Wai-kwan; and the Deputy Director of Planning, Miss Ophelia Wong.

Details of other District Forums to be organised in the period are as follow:

1. District Forum (Kowloon City) - 2.30pm to 5pm, July 15 (Saturday)
Basement, Fashion World (Site2), Wonderful World of Whampoa, Hung Hom

2. District Forum (Kwun Tong) - 2.30pm to 5pm, July 29 (Saturday)
Lecture Theatre 215, Community College of City University (Telford Annex), Telford Plaza, Kowloon Bay

3. District Forum (Wong Tai Sin) - 2.30pm to 5pm, August 5 (Saturday)
Performance Stage, Lok Fu Shopping Centre Phase 1, Lok Fu

Exhibitions of PODP proposals and a physical model of Kai Tak development will take place at the forums above and at Kowloon City Plaza, 128 Carpenter Road, Kowloon City on August 12, 13, 19 and 20.

People are welcome to participate in the forums and visit the
exhibitions. For the forums, pre-registration is required due to the restriction of seating capacity.

For further details of the Stage 3 Public Participation of Kai Tak Planning Review, please visit the Planning Department’s website at http://www.pland.gov.hk or contact the Department at 2231 4988, by fax at 2894 9502 or via e-mail:kdpo@pland.gov.hk.

hkskyline

July 12th, 2006, 05:58 AM

Blueprint for Kai Tak savings
8 July 2006
South China Morning Post

The DAB's Chan Kam-lam looked like a million dollars this week. Or at least the fancy Kai Tak redevelopment model he unveiled on Thursday looked like it cost that much.

When asked by a South China Morning Post colleague about its price tag, Mr Chan (left) was coy, hinting that it cost a fortune. "We are still tallying the final cost," he said.

My colleague then asked architect Philip Liao Yi-kang, who volunteered his services, along with a town planner and transport specialist, to build the model and draw the blueprint as an alternative to the government's plan.

"We want to share it with the public," Mr Liao said. "At the end of the day, no one owns the copyright. It's free."

Incidentally, the model will be exhibited at the Kwun Tong mall APM, IFC in Central, and Lok Fu shopping centre - rent free. How difficult is it to tally zero?

hkia

July 12th, 2006, 06:05 AM

Any picture of the model?

sharpie20

July 12th, 2006, 09:27 AM

hkskyline, it would be helpful if you would summerize or discuss those articles rather than copying and pasting, who has time to read all those articles?

HSBC

July 12th, 2006, 10:35 AM

hkskyline, it would be helpful if you would summerize or discuss those articles rather than copying and pasting, who has time to read all those articles?

I have time to read it. If you are really concerned about what has been happening in HK, you definitely have few minutes to spare.
Anyway, he is pasting the articles from South China Morning Post, you need to pay money to subscribe for that. I haven't subscribed SCMP, so he has been really helpful. :)

hkskyline

July 12th, 2006, 04:09 PM

hkskyline, it would be helpful if you would summerize or discuss those articles rather than copying and pasting, who has time to read all those articles?
Do what I love to do ... speed-read and scan.

SCMP does release some content to the Yahoo HK news feeds. Not all of it is paid subscription anymore. :)

hkskyline

July 15th, 2006, 09:32 AM

啟德不擬建私家醫院
7月 12日星期三 17:58 更新
星島日報

對於會否在啟德發展計劃內，預留土地興建私家醫院，衛生福利及食物局局長周一嶽表示，從規劃土地用途而言，一般是容許在「政府、機構或社區」地帶發展醫院的，但啟德發展計劃的初步發展大綱草圖中，預留的醫院用地僅作發展公立醫院。他表示，一向有機制處理有志開辦私家醫院的申請，若有關申請符合既定政策及公眾利益，當局將提供適當協助，包括考慮土地批撥申請。

hkskyline

July 20th, 2006, 12:23 AM

6財團方案全軍盡墨維持啟德建郵輪碼頭
明報
07月 17日星期一 05:05AM

【明報專訊】政府去年底收到6個財團遞交發展郵輪碼頭的意向書，財團選址各異，但據悉政府會以財團提交的方案，未能符合工程不填海的法例要求，亦未具備提供良好交通及配套設施的條件，計劃向行政會議提出不接納財團的方案，並維持政府在啟德跑道末端建造碼頭的計劃，即香港最快要到2011年才能有新郵輪碼頭。

指方案不符不填海法例要求

旅遊業界及發展商一直要求加快建郵輪碼頭的進度，政府遂於去年底邀請財團提交意向書，要求業界提出可於2011年前落成的可行選址及方案，結果有6個財團提交招標意向書，但於尖沙嘴經營海運碼頭的九龍倉集團,則另外提出在海運碼頭旁增建一個由該公司營辦的碼頭方案。

經過半年時間，據悉港府已完成審議財團的方案，並準備向行政會議提交結果。當局其中一項關注是填海問題，港府指財團提交的方案雖稱毋須填海，但港府認為財團「不太熟悉有關填海的法例」，認為財團方案實際也可能涉及填海，因政府認為按照法例，即使在維港打一支樁，也會被理解為填海，有機會受到保護海港團體的挑戰。

港府指外地的郵輪碼頭，郵輪泊岸時已有200、300架旅遊車等候接載旅客，而郵輪旅客亦有別於一般旅客，每人行李可能多達6、7件，要同一時間處理一船2000、3000名旅客，要有足夠地方及設施，指財團提出的地點未必有足夠的配套。同時，郵輪碼頭要吸納珠三角地區的商界人士，亦要便利郵輪旅客快速赴珠三角地區旅遊公幹，「這亦是為何（政府）要提出，將來在啟德的郵輪碼頭要附有跨境直升機坪。」

因此，在邀請財團提交意向書的同時，港府一直力谷啟德郵輪碼頭方案。在啟德規劃發展諮詢方案中，規劃署曾構思過提出其中一個沒有郵輪碼頭的方案供公眾參考，但經內部協調後，上月發表的啟德發展大綱草圖，保留啟德角設置的雙泊位郵輪碼頭和旅遊及休閒中心的方案，反映政府在啟德興建碼頭的決心。同時，政府亦「鼓勵」旅遊業界發聲支持在啟德建郵輪碼頭。

財團重申毋須填海

向政府提交意向書的財團之一「郵輪城」，回覆本報查詢時指，該財團提出的方案，在技術上及財政上也可行，重申方案符合毋須填海的要求，該項目預計投資數十億元，並可於3至5年內竣工。

乘坐大型郵輪旅遊已成新趨勢，抵港的郵輪出入境旅客人次，由03年的26萬多，增至05年的32.5萬，但本港唯一的郵輪碼頭海運碼頭，去年使用率略高於75％飽和指標，而近年每逢旺季，抵港郵輪往往需另作停泊安排。由於海運碼頭只能容納排水量最多5萬噸的郵輪，2005年已有4宗巨型郵輪需停泊在葵涌貨櫃碼頭。

美麗華旅運郵輪部高級經理何惠稱，啟德或海運碼頭都是好選址，但指若要到2011年才有新碼頭，時間太遲，建議政府在這段真空期，可找地方提供臨時泊位。

hkskyline

July 30th, 2006, 02:21 AM

Design contest spurs call for creativity in Kai Tak project
29 July 2006
South China Morning Post

Architects and planners have urged the government to absorb more user-friendly elements and creative ideas from the winning entries in a design competition for redevelopment of the Kai Tak area.

Organised by the Hong Kong Urban Design Alliance over the past three months, the competition to give the 328-hectare Kai Tak site a new look attracted about 100 architects, planners and designers.

"Kai Tak Esplanade", a design by three young local architects - Wilson Wong Chun-yu, Paul Anthony Fok and Kevin S.Y.Kin-man - was chosen from 30 qualified entries as the winner.

The design creatively introduces seawater into the Kai Tak apron and creates open space around a river estuary. It also proposes building two stadiums on the northeastern bank of the Kai Tak nullah.

"Our highlight is the Metro Park located in the heart of the Kai Tak estuary," said Mr Fok.

"We noticed that Hong Kong Island and West Kowloon all have large parks, yet [there is] not a single one in East Kowloon so far. So we tried to maximise the greenbelt in the park by moving the sports facilities to the other area."

The design "Tracing Kai Tak", by CYS Associates' architect Kenneth Chau, was named first runner-up, while two other entries, "Urban Capacitor" and "Patchwork City", were jointly named second runners-up.

Bernard Lim Wan-fung, president of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, said all the winning designs would be submitted to the Planning Department as input to the public consultation process.

"Some very good ideas emerged in this competition, like a bigger greenery belt, convenient traffic networks, an artificial lake, and airport-related facilities retained as park statues," he said.

Hong Kong Institute of Planners vice-president Pong Yuen-yee agreed it was better for the government to look at the Kai Tak project from different angles.

"The government is often limited by certain frameworks like budget or implementation problems," she said.

"Our winning designs offer them more creative and bold ideas. This could be an interactive process."

jason poon

July 30th, 2006, 04:14 AM

Design contest spurs call for creativity in Kai Tak project
29 July 2006
South China Morning Post

"Kai Tak Esplanade", a design by three young local architects - Wilson Wong Chun-yu, Paul Anthony Fok and Kevin S.Y.Kin-man - was chosen from 30 qualified entries as the winner.

The design creatively introduces seawater into the Kai Tak apron and creates open space around a river estuary. It also proposes building two stadiums on the northeastern bank of the Kai Tak nullah.

"Our highlight is the Metro Park located in the heart of the Kai Tak estuary," said Mr Fok.

"We noticed that Hong Kong Island and West Kowloon all have large parks, yet [there is] not a single one in East Kowloon so far. So we tried to maximise the greenbelt in the park by moving the sports facilities to the other area." "

I don't see a large park in the Southen part of West Kowloon while East Kowloon, just norht of Kai Tak area, gots three big parks namely Kowloon Walled City Park, Kowloon Tsai Park and Morse Park.

I hope the piece of Kai Tak land shall be planned and designed by international competition, what our Government's planning and local contests are too jejuneness.

hkskyline

July 30th, 2006, 07:04 AM

啟德研纜車接觀塘
30/07/2006

【本報訊】規劃署就啟德規劃檢討昨舉行第二場地區論壇，與會市民促請政府興建行人及汽車通道連接觀塘與啟德跑道，當局稱正研究連接兩區的方法，包括高架行人或行車天橋、隧道及纜車，但強調方案須符合經濟效益。另外，圍繞跑道的海濱長廊會設有架空觀景台，在「零填海」政策下提供更多海旁休憩用地。

規劃署助理署長關才貴在論壇上指出，署方現正積極研究連接啟德與觀塘方案，至於外界關注的明渠臭味問題，土木工程拓展署將在八月揀選最炎熱的日子進行實地測試，到時可進一步了解明渠臭味是否真正獲解決。

昨日地區論壇反應未見踴躍，規劃署發言人表示，已透過區議會及民務事務署張貼海報進行宣傳論壇，另亦發信邀請專業團體、地區組織、大學等機構參與。 http://the-sun.orisun.com/channels/img/endmarker.gif

hkskyline

July 30th, 2006, 05:23 PM

「啟德大空地」規劃設計奪冠
明報 07月 29日星期六 05:05AM

【明報專訊】建築師學會及香港規劃師學會合作舉辦的啟德城市設計比賽，由名為「啟德大空地」的作品奪得冠軍，得獎建築師把啟德水道變為有用的休憩空間，並把體育館位置放於水道東北岸，以及將

住宅向後移，令機場跑道上不設住宅等。多名業內人士指出，獲獎作品值得政府借鏡，作為日後會供東南九龍規劃參考。

冠軍得主的Aedas公司建築師施健文表示，該作品與兩名建築師合作，因發現東九龍缺乏綠化環境，希望啟德的發展可令區內有更多的空間感，其中包括跑道上不設住宅及酒店、將體育館設於跑道側等，改以電動列車串連整個地區，並透過地底通道前往觀塘等舊區，以減低對環境污染。

電動列車作連接減低污染

立法會議員劉秀成表示，已經將冠軍作品中有關的人工湖和維持跑道連貫性的概念向政府提出建議﹔他又表示，作品亦配合舊區沿有特色，值得政府參考。他又說，希望政府能夠在東南九龍規劃內盡快落實郵輪碼頭及體育館等設施。

建築師學會會長林雲峰表示，參賽作品重視避免將地皮作大型物業項目發展。香港規劃師學會副會長龐婉儀說，是次參賽作品雖然較為概念化，未必符合實際需要，但個別參賽作品試圖將舊機場的歷史文物，分佈於綠化公園內作展覽，亦可讓政府作參考。

hkskyline

August 2nd, 2006, 03:24 AM

16樓高行人橋　啟德貫觀塘
東方 07月 29日星期六 03:00AM

【東方日報專訊】政府剛發表的啟德概念規劃大綱圖中，並無提出連接啟德與觀塘方案，引起外界不滿，規劃署順應民意，正構思在啟德跑道末端興建約五十米高（相等十六層樓）的架空行人橋，連接啟

德與觀塘，讓區內逾五十萬人口分享啟德成果，但署方承認建橋很大機會涉及填海。有觀塘區議員認為，連接方案必須包括行車道，否則難帶動區內商貿活動。

規劃署今午舉行啟德第二場地區論壇，收集市民意見。

規劃署助理署長關才貴向本報透露，明白觀塘區居民訴求，故正與顧問公司研究興建全長約五百米的架空行人橋，連接跑道至觀塘。

飽覽維港另一景點

他冀望行人橋能成為啟德另一景點，讓市民在橋上欣賞維港景色。

關才貴表示，構思中的行人橋最少高四十至五十米，以防在觀塘貨物裝卸區運作的躉船撞到行人。

他續指，署方下月開始修訂啟德規劃大綱圖，位於跑道上端的都會公園及多用途體育館位置料維持不變。

香港工程師學會原會長黃澤恩建議，若以斜拉橋模式興建啟德行人橋，便毋須在海床興建橋躉支撐行人橋，避免填海，但他質疑，「條橋成十六層樓高，根本唔方便市民使用。」

hkskyline

August 4th, 2006, 10:29 PM

會德豐地產建議提高啟德用地地積比率，料短期有地皮被勾出
經濟通
08月 02日星期三 05:34PM

德豐地產董事黃光耀表示，現時港府建議啟德發展用地的地積比率為３倍至５倍，屬於偏低，由於該地皮為市區用地，故建議中地積比率會浪費了土地資源，他認為５倍至７﹒５倍的地積比率較為合適。

另外，他又估計，勾地表中有兩至三幅地皮，會於短期內會被勾出，會德豐亦有興趣吸納，相信下半年勾地申請會轉趨積極。

他又指，會德豐上半年只買入中半山一幅小型地皮較預期少，希望短期內再增加土地儲備。

hkskyline

August 17th, 2006, 07:29 AM

Keep Kai Tak's identity, urges alliance
Joyce Kam
Hong Kong Standard
Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Any redevelopment of Kai Tak and its nearby suburbs should take into account the area's distinct character and must not become just another homogenized urban development, a lawmaker says.

Federation of Trade Unions legislator Chan Yuen-han, a member of the Kai Tak Alliance, said the government should maintain the district's identity in any redevelopment project. "Redevelopment doesn't mean we have to demolish everything. Old districts have a very strong local color that we should cherish and preserve," she said.

The alliance has suggested beautifying the Kwun Tong Public Cargo Working Area instead of turning it into a promenade. "The cargo area is crucial to the logistics and recycling industry. About 70 percent of recycled paper in Hong Kong is brought here to be shipped elsewhere," Chan said.

The government promised to arrange another site for the industry before they close the area.

"But Kwun Tong is the best site for us. It handles 7,000 tonnes of paper a month," Hong Kong Recycle Material and Reproduction Business General Association vice president Lau Yiu- shing said.

"If the government shuts down this area, we'll have to take the paper to Tuen Mun or Chai Wan, which will greatly increase our transportation costs." He added that 70,000 people would be affected by the move.

Chinese University of Hong Kong associate professor of architecture Wallace Chang Ping-hung said Kai Tak could be the economic driver for the whole district.

"The entire Kai Tak area is wrapped by highways. It's planned for vehicles to go around, not pedestrians as it's actually blocking visitors from walking to anywhere else. There's no way it will help activate nearby districts the way it is," he said. "And we have to pay attention to the noise and air pollution that traffic brings."

thunderC

August 18th, 2006, 08:12 AM

Does HK need more high rising buildings?
HK is amzing in nighttime decoreted tall buildings with bright neon.
I kind like HK at night.

hkth

August 18th, 2006, 10:05 AM

From news.gov.hk:
Over 70 submissions on Kai Tak plan received (http://news.gov.hk/en/category/infrastructureandlogistics/060817/html/060817en06004.htm)

Rachmaninov

August 18th, 2006, 08:28 PM

Do they apply the plot ratio of 3 to 5 or 7.5 to the WHOLE Kai Tak area, or just parts of it?

hkskyline

August 29th, 2006, 04:48 AM

Aerials

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20060827/IMG_2085.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20060827/IMG_2086.jpg

hkskyline

August 31st, 2006, 06:44 AM

60億打造場館酒店商場一體化啟德建體育城料賺梗
太陽
08月 28日星期一 03:00AM

【太陽報專訊】政府計劃在東南九龍打造多用途體育館，舉辦體育盛事。顧問公司已完成初步財務評估，預算興建具開合式上蓋體育館、副場館、綜合體育大樓及其他配套，需要斥資約六十億元。單是場館門票收入，已能自負盈虧，若加上周邊酒店、商場等帶來的收益，估計每年可有數千萬元盈餘。

啟德規劃檢討初步發展大綱圖構思在海旁興建一個多用途體育館，該館勢將成為維港的新地標。政府會在十月推出規劃方案再諮詢公眾，但為爭取時間，當局早已委聘顧問公司就興建大型體育館，進行可行性研究及財務評估，若市民支持興建體育設施，便會就具體細節諮詢公眾。

顧問公司早前在體育委員會會議上，向官員及委員交代多用途體育館財務評估報告，初步建議興建一個容納四萬五千人的主場館，並安裝開合式上蓋及預製草地組件，以配合多用途需要，大約要三十多億元。另外興建一個副場館、一所綜合體育大樓及其他配套，整個體育城共需約六十億元。最終造價要視乎市民是否支持有開合式上蓋。

對於外界擔心體育館會淪為「大白象」，浪費公帑，大型體育活動事務委員會主席胡曉明表示，可行性研究顯示體育館能夠自負盈虧。根據各體育總會提出，將來會舉辦的體育賽事，每年已帶來數千萬元盈餘；若加上舉辦演唱會、商場、酒店和停車場等收益，收入會更理想。他希望，立法會和社會都支持計劃，以長遠推動香港體育發展。

考慮公私營合作管理

政府正考慮以公私營合作經營模式管理體育城。政府興建場館後，將成立信託公司接管物業資產及負責營運，政府會委任知名人士及專業人士出掌這間公司。胡曉明認為香港有足夠合適人才，管理這個大型體育館計劃，由於計劃涉及商業成分，不能沿用康樂及文化事務署一貫管理做法，需外界工商專業人士協助。

香港○九年首次主辦東亞運動會這類大型體育盛事，但多用途體育館最快在二○一三年才有望落成，政府要在將軍澳興建運動場，及翻新多項體育設施以應付需要。胡曉明坦言，社會就東南九龍規劃爭拗多年，體育館未能在時間上配合賽事，令他感到有點遺憾。

Travis007

August 31st, 2006, 06:35 PM

http://static.flickr.com/92/229859506_6b741269d1_b.jpg
http://static.flickr.com/67/229859192_891f901d02_b.jpg

hkskyline

August 31st, 2006, 11:39 PM

Liberal Party says no to 'walled city' at Kai Tak site
Tonny Chan
Hong Kong Standard
Friday, September 01, 2006

The Liberal Party has proposed halving the government population projections for the redeveloped Kai Tak site, saying the 328-hectare area is too precious to permit skyscrapers from blocking the views to the rest of the Kowloon hinterland.

"It's the last thing we want to see, a walled city," said Edward Ho Sing- tin, convenor of the Liberal Party's ad- hoc committee on Kai Tak redevelopment. "Kowloon is perhaps the most densely populated place in the world and Kai Tak is the last premium piece we have in Hong Kong. If high-rises were to be allowed on the site, we will end up seeing a wall of buildings."

"The `walled city' effect is very much something we want to avoid. We're proposing buildings not higher than 30 stories - that is hardly a highrise according to Hong Kong's standards," party chairman James Tien Pei- chun said.

The party is the last to comment on the Kai Tak redevelopment package after the public consultation closed officially on August 23.

At the Liberal Party's request, Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands Michael Suen Ming-yeung has extended the date for it to submit its alternative blueprint.

The Liberal's package calls for:

The population to be drastically reduced to 43,250 from 86,500 as projected by government planners;

The number of residential flats to be halved to 15,250 from 30,500;

The plot ratio for residential development be lowered to between 1.5 and four times from the government's suggestion of 3.5 to five times;

The floor space allocated to commercial offices be scaled down to 441,250 square meters from a total of 700,000 sqm.

Ho said they were also concerned about the development of the old urban districts behind Kai Tak, and hoped their proposal could help to increase community interaction which, in his view, could invigorate districts on the fringe.

Unveiling the package at its Central headquarters Thursday, Tien said Kai Tak was more than eight times the size of the West Kowloon cultural hub and every stone must be turned to make Kai Tak a green redevelopment.

The Liberal Party proposals have grouped the redevelopment package into six aspects: tourism, community, sports, waterfront leisure, green transportation and green management.

Highlights include three bridges including a suspension motorway at the end of the former Kai Tak runway linking the redevelopment with the rest of Kwun Tong and Kowloon Bay, finger piers for yachts and an artificial beach along the nullah which currently emits a foul stench and a three-berth cruise terminal big enough to anchor even the world's biggest cruise ship, the Queen Mary II.

Like the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, the Liberal Party has argued for a monorail loop around the redevelopment - a notion already branded by officials as "too expensive."

The party agrees with the government that the controversial 45,000-seat sports stadium should be located at the northern end of the runway rather than further to the north as suggested by the DAB.

In addition to the main stadium, the Liberal Party also proposes a 5,000-seat indoor gymnasium annex and a smaller multipurpose hall next to the main stadium.

hkskyline

September 1st, 2006, 04:21 PM

自由黨提啟德規劃建議
09月 01日星期五 05:05AM

【明報專訊】政府就啟德規劃的諮詢已經完結，自由黨昨日提出他們的東南九龍發展計劃方案，建議將政府方案的居住人口和單位數目都縮減一半，分別只得4.3萬人和1.5萬伙。他們又建議設單軌列車,環繞啟德區內行走，並且連接觀塘站和將來的啟德站。

倡人口住宅減半

自由黨昨在記者會中展示他們的計劃模型，該計劃由建築師何承天領導的研究小組提出，並聘請顧問研究，計劃包括有3道吊橋連接啟德跑道和觀塘、九龍灣等地區，又設有X-game遊樂場及遊戲中心、電動高卡車場等。

何承天表示，由於將來土瓜灣等地都會有市區重建，所以他們將啟德規劃中的住宅密度減低，並增加更多綠化和休憩設施。他們亦建議將東九龍的貨物起卸區搬遷。

hkskyline

September 1st, 2006, 04:26 PM

政府拍板啟德建郵輪碼頭
08月 28日星期一 03:30AM
綜合報道
星島日報報道

http://hk.yimg.com/hk/providers/singtao/20060828/20060828ap01y.jpg

啟德發展計畫公眾諮詢近日結束，政府快將宣布放棄中期性郵輪碼頭計畫，以落實在啟德興建郵輪碼頭。政府正邀請顧問落實啟德郵輪碼頭工程，據悉，當局要求將啟德發展成區域性的郵輪碼頭樞紐，目標是可停泊全球最新款的超級郵輪，三大郵輪瑪麗皇后二號、自由航行號及創世紀計畫號，將是被招攬來港的目標。

港府去年底收取六份郵輪碼頭中期選址建議書，但經審議財團提出的選址和建議後，發現可行性不高，近期一直盛傳財團提交的方案將「全軍盡墨」。本報獲悉，近日啟德發展計畫完成公眾諮詢，當局快將正式宣布放棄該中期性郵輪碼頭計畫，鐵定直接在啟德興建郵輪碼頭。

據了解，當局銳意將日後在啟德落成的郵輪碼頭，打造成區域性的郵輪碼頭樞紐，以為本港帶來可觀的經濟效益，稍後將邀請顧問展開一系列的工程研究，目標是落實郵輪碼頭在啟德選址的具體範圍，以供實際設計之用，以及了解所需的海上工程。

港府認為，現今世界郵輪業的趨勢，是發展較為大型的超級郵輪，故希望本港未來落成的郵輪碼頭規模，亦能順應這種潮流，可供停泊全球最新款的郵輪。故啟德的郵輪碼頭應以能夠同時停泊兩隻三百四十五米長的巴拿馬型郵輪，或是同時停泊一隻三百六十米長的超巴拿馬型郵輪及一隻巴拿馬型郵輪，作為最基本的興建標準。

當局甚至盼望顧問公司在研究時，以現時全球最大型及最新款的瑪麗皇后二號郵輪 Queen Mary 2、自由航行號 Freedom of the Seas 及創世紀計畫號 Project Genesis，作為可供停泊郵輪的參照。不過，當局亦會建議郵輪碼頭預留發展彈性，迎合瞬息萬變的郵輪業市場，並能同時容納一些較小型的郵輪。

據當局初步評估，郵輪碼頭正式興建時，無可避免需要在進出碼頭的航道，或維港內的部分水域挖走淤泥或沉積物，以便提供足夠水深，供郵輪在港內進出或「掉頭」。

不過，當局會遵照環運局的指引，盡量減少挖掘範圍，又會要求顧問研究如何處理所挖出的淤泥，以及重置現時的海底煤氣設施。

另外，當局亦計畫在研究初期，透過顧問公司安排一個為期十至十四天的交流團，參觀其中兩個國家的郵輪碼頭設施，並分別與當地郵輪碼頭的設計、建造、營運及維修等方面專家作交流，當局初步屬意揀選日本、新加坡及北美洲取經。

據了解，當局希望能在過程中深入了解海外郵輪碼頭的規劃方式、與臨近土地的連合、以及如何處理環境和營運等技術問題。

hkskyline

September 3rd, 2006, 12:36 AM

Proposed Kai Tak density should be halved, Liberal Party says
1 September 2006
South China Morning Post

Residential and commercial density at the former Kai Tak airport site should be half what the government proposed, according to an alternative development proposal for the area unveiled by the Liberal Party yesterday.

Party chairman James Tien Pei-chun said the party had not intended making drastic changes to the government's proposal, "but the members of our study group, our district representatives, and our consultant had the view that the proposed population was quite a lot".

"Our view is that this land is not just for the Kai Tak area but that the surrounding districts could benefit from it being a green and low-density area as well."

The Liberal Party's proposal has room for 43,250 people in 15,250 flats, and 441,250 square metres of office space. In the original government proposal, 86,500 people would live in 30,500 flats and there would be room for 700,000 square metres of office space.

The plot ratio - the floor area of the buildings divided by the area of the site - for residential areas under the Liberal Party plan would range from 1.5 to 4, compared to 3.5 to 9 for the government's plan.

Nearly all of the proposed reduction in residential areas would come from private housing, rather than public.

Study group convenor Edward Ho Sing-tin said Kai Tak should become a low-density area because population density in the surrounding districts was set to increase.

With height restrictions removed since the Kai Tak airport stopped operating, "many of the buildings could be up for redevelopment, and they would then be made much higher", he said.

Mr Ho said the new plan also addressed the issue of connections between Kai Tak and the surrounding areas, for which the original government plan has been criticised.

It proposes building a monorail system with 13 stops and increasing the number of bridges linking the former runway area with Kwun Tong and Kowloon Bay from one in the government's plan to three.

Chan Wai-kwan, chairman of the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee's subcommittee on southeast Kowloon development, said he welcomed the proposal but said there needed to be a sufficient number of residents for Kai Tak to develop successfully.

"As to whether that number is 80,000 or 40,000, that's a matter for people to discuss."

An amended outline zoning plan is expected in a month, when the public will be invited to comment.

hkskyline

September 3rd, 2006, 12:37 AM

Hong Kong's new push for space
Plan for parks, walkways at old airport site shows shift in thinking
By Wendy Lee
31 August 2006
The Wall Street Journal Asia

HONG KONG -- In this jam-packed city where real estate is expensive to exorbitant, the development of an old airport on prime waterfront property has been caught up in a fundamental debate: How much space do people need?

Hong Kong's population is dense. Its Kwun Tong district houses nearly 50,000 a square kilometer -- roughly twice the density of Manhattan. The smallest housing-project apartments in Kwun Tong are just 88 square feet.

It isn't that this former British colony lacks land. Vast swaths remain undeveloped, but city planning here usually takes a back seat to maximizing profits from government property, the revenue from which accounts for 12% of the city's budget. Eager developers end up building skyscraper apartments on tiny patches of land and giant malls with office towers on top.

That thinking is changing markedly, as evidenced by a redevelopment project at the city's storied Kai Tak airport, which closed in 1998. When it is finished, the new Kai Tak adjacent to Kwun Tong will look like nothing else this city has seen before. More than one-third of the land will be dedicated to open green space, mostly divided into four public parks and a waterfront promenade. The largest of the four will be Metro Park. At 24 hectares -- bigger than Boston Common, which is 20 hectares -- it will be Hong Kong's biggest urban park.

"Not everybody has access to a country club," says Liu Yuyang, an assistant professor of architecture at Chinese University of Hong Kong. "Everybody needs some breathing room so people don't go crazy."

That said, the new Kai Tak won't exactly be like New York's Central Park: The site also will feature a stadium, 6,800 hotel rooms, a cruise-ship terminal and housing for 86,500 people.

Current plans for the airport came after others were ruled out. In 2003 flight instructor Francis Chin founded the Save Kai Tak Campaign, fighting to preserve the airport's heritage with a museum and a short runway. Kai Tak was legendary for its white-knuckle landings, with descending aircraft making a 47-degree turn, bringing the plane so close to Hong Kong's apartment buildings that nervous passengers could see the flicker of television screens through bedroom windows.

The government rejected Mr. Chin's plans for a runway, but injected some of his ideas in a runway park that will feature such airport memorabilia as the former air-traffic-control tower.

At first, after Kai Tak shut down, the site was slated to be a "city within a city" housing 320,000 and filling in about 300 hectares of harbor waterfront. At that time, the government projected Hong Kong's population would swell and planned to build at least 85,000 apartments in the city each year. Those plans drew flak from environmentalists and residents such as attorney Winston K.S. Chu.

Quitting his job, Mr. Chu spent years battling plans to fill one part of the harbor. He and his environmentally minded mother, now 91 years old, had net personal expenditure of about US$1 million on a lawsuit contesting harbor plans. In 2004 Hong Kong's Court of Final Appeal ruled the government couldn't fill in any part of the harbor -- including Kai Tak -- without "overriding public need."

"We are telling the government town planning should not be for money, it should be for the people," Mr. Chu says. "I think slowly the message is getting through."

Mr. Chu's lawsuit, along with an unexpected damping in population growth, brought about a considerable shift in the government's approach to urban planning. In 2004 the city scrapped its earlier designs and began a massive public consultation. The government invited people to the Kai Tak site, posted videos of the plan online and even displayed a miniature model of the Kai Tak site in the subway. About 700 citizens have participated in each step of the process.

"The community called for improvement in the quality of living," says Kelvin Chan, a government planning officer. "Greening contributes to the quality of living environment and makes it more environmentally friendly and pedestrian friendly."

Hong Kong's change of heart also was influenced by the 2003 outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome. In one 33-story apartment tower, more than 300 people were infected by the disease. One theory holds that the worn-down plumbing in the complex caused an infected patient's virus-tainted waste to spread to other residents' apartments. "With the advent of SARS, the government began to realize they have reached the critical limit with this density game," says Essy Baniassad, chairman of the Department of Architecture at Chinese University.

In the city that introduced feng shui design to the world, Hong Kong planners have paid far more attention to the angles of buildings than to the people who inhabit them. Public housing in Hong Kong is designed following a density formula that leaves little room for outdoor spaces, Mr. Baniassad says. The law stipulates that each person living in public housing be given a minimum of about 59 square feet -- and some complexes go no further.

In Kwun Tong, residents say they have trouble breathing because of the towering apartments and concrete walkways that block air from circulating. "These buildings are a concrete jungle, trapping the pollutants," says 72-year-old Leung Kanluen, who has lived in the neighborhood for 15 years. Mr. Leung says he rides an hour on the bus to visit a theme park with gardens but would much rather walk to a nearby park.

The latest Kai Tak plan embraces open space and living and entertainment concepts common in many cosmopolitan cities but entirely foreign here. Plans for housing are still fluid, but there is talk of limiting some buildings to a mere three stories and crisscrossing the residential areas with footpaths to encourage people to greet their neighbors. Drawings depicting the new Kai Tak even show people sipping coffee at open-air restaurants, which the government currently restricts in most parts of the city.

"We are trying to create a comprehensive neighborhood environment," says Mr. Chan, the government planning officer.

Still, some in the city are skeptical about whether the government will really implement their ideas. "They listen to what you say, but they aren't going to do anything," says retired businessman Wang Hoiman, who is touting his own plans to make an exhibition center.

Another challenge comes from local political party Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, which teamed up with architects to redraft the Kai Tak plan to make the park more accessible to poorer neighboring communities. The redrafted plan locates the park closer to a subway station and adds an artificial beach and a bridge. The government has expressed interest in some of those ideas.

Not all residents are focused on grass and open space. An organization called the City Planning Concern Group wants to build a skyscraper-size "Dragon Pearl Tower" -- to symbolize Hong Kong's reputation as the "Pearl of the Orient" -- at the end of the old runway. It would feature a round LCD monitor on its top, flashing such messages as "Welcome to Hong Kong."

hkskyline

September 7th, 2006, 04:57 PM

新地東九龍兩盤攻創富一族一主打大單位一配套大型商場
09月 04日星期一 05:05AM

【明報專訊】「未來10年，由觀塘裕民坊橫跨至啟德機場一帶的東南九龍，肯定會有翻天覆地的變化，並會成為香港其中一個最富庶的區域﹔因此，集團旗下兩大全新樓盤——飛鵝山麓項目（牛池灣豐盛街）、太子道東項目（原新蒲崗裁判司署），將會打造成區域性地標式建築，以配合整個區域的蛻變。至於目標客源，已經瞄準了年齡在35歲及以上的『創富一族』。」新地代理執行董事周國賢接受專訪指出，雖然物業預計於09年始落成，但最快今年10月起就會展開前期推廣活動，成新地近年最早啟動宣傳的大型新盤。

飛鵝山麓項目兩房已700呎

周國賢表示﹕「東南九龍（原啟德機場一帶）將打造成集國際級郵輪碼頭、大型體育館、高尚住宅區於一體的全新綜合區。參考北美大城市如溫哥華、洛杉磯的經驗，毗鄰郵輪碼頭的，通常是當地最高檔的海濱豪宅區，以及最繁華的旅遊區，而東南九龍10年後的發展模樣將會與此極為相似。因此，飛鵝山麓、太子道東兩個全新住宅會配合該區的脫胎換骨，不但打造成集團在東九龍兩大旗艦盤，還會是『無論遠近都可以望到』的地標式分層豪宅。」

事實上，新地計劃最快10月啟動宣傳，但推介的並非樓盤本身，而是從宏觀角度介紹東南九龍未來10年的蛻變，以進行前期「洗腦」。

周國賢坦言﹕「集團早年開售沙田新城市廣場、以至近年開售的馬灣珀麗灣、元朗YOHO Town，宣傳工作都是『慢慢煲』出來的。」

周續稱，據集團分析所得，「與當年元朗YOHO Town針對年輕買家最顯著的不同，是飛鵝山麓、太子道東項目的潛在買家，應是年齡在35歲以上、盛年及事業正值鬥期的『創富一族』。所以物業整體設計肯定會走豪宅檔次，依循現代時尚、但不失尊貴的路線。」

新蒲崗盤基座設30萬呎商場

以飛鵝山麓項目而言，周國賢指現計劃興建5幢大廈、提供800餘個單位，但兩房戶型只會佔少數，他強調就算是兩房單位，也肯定會在700呎以上，並非一般400至500餘呎類型。此外，絕大部分單位將來都會擁有海景，並以1000餘至2000餘呎戶型為主，當然也會有多款特色巨戶，物業預計09年始落成。

至於太子道東項目，則擬興建1400餘個單位，基座會打造一個佔地約30萬呎的主題式商場，具有與集團同系觀塘apm商場遙相呼應的「戰略性意義」。

撰文﹕林可為

Rachmaninov

September 7th, 2006, 05:04 PM

Good news... I wonder what the two developments would look like...

hkskyline

September 26th, 2006, 07:57 AM

啟德跑道尾擬建觀光塔
08月 17日

【東方日報專訊】被稱為市區最後一塊珍貴用地的舊啟德機場，將可能興建本港首個觀光塔，規模媲美澳門旅遊塔和上海東方明珠塔，可讓遊人從高空俯瞰維港美景。民建聯東南九龍發展計劃小組召集人發表意見陳鑑林引述規劃署消息指，正考慮於啟德跑道尾興建觀光塔，成為繼郵輪碼頭、多用途體育館後區內第三大地標。旅遊業議會總幹事董耀中歡迎構思，但建議觀光塔須設旋轉餐廳、展覽場地等配套。

規劃署稱建議可接受

規劃署官員上周三與陳鑑林會晤，收集民建聯對啟德初步規劃大綱圖的意見。陳向本報透露，署方代表對民建聯提倡跑道尾興建觀光塔的建議稱「可以接受」，會研究在大綱圖加入觀光塔的可行性。事實上，與香港關係密切的上海和澳門，均分別建有全球最三高（四百六十八米）及全球第十高（三百三十八米）的觀光塔。

陳又指，維港景色世界知名，相信觀光塔會深受遊客歡迎，但觀光塔須高過跑道中央的廿層高住宅。身兼城規會成員的觀塘區議員陳華裕認為，單純建觀光塔的點綴性意義較大，建議將觀光塔低層作為連接觀塘與啟德行人橋的柱躉，為居民帶來方便。

hkskyline

October 20th, 2006, 03:15 AM

50-storey hotel planned for Kai Tak
Government prepared to lift 100-metre height limit for project to be built near the end of former airport runway
18 October 2006
South China Morning Post

The government is preparing to lift the 100-metre height restriction laid down in its redevelopment plan for the former Kai Tak airport to allow for a 200-metre hotel of about 50 storeys to be built near the end of the old runway.

A government source said the proposed building would have a public viewing deck on the rooftop.

Unionist Chan Yuen-han dubbed the arrangement a property project, and said the hotel would monopolise the best view and block southeast winds. Ms Chan was angry that the government had rushed to gazette the proposal.

But Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong legislator Chan Kam-lam welcomed the proposal, which reflected the party's submission."We wanted the government to build a viewing tower at the end of the runway. They are responding to us - 200 metres is appropriate for [a] viewing [platform]," he said.

A draft development plan was released yesterday after planning officials analysed 230 written submissions and views expressed in 20 open forums in July and August.

Under the proposal, the former airport and surrounding area would be turned into a sports, tourism and business hub with three times more grade-A office space than the two International Finance Centre buildings combined.

While the plot ratio, or ratio of total floor area to plot size, would be capped at five for residential development, the ratio for commercial buildings would be nine. The development would provide housing for 86,000 people, a 27.3-hectare stadium complex and a cruise terminal.

The source said: "We are prepared to build a third berth for the cruise terminal. But we're not making any decision until the first two berths have been completed."

Responding to demands from political parties, the revised proposal would turn the depot site reserved for the Sha Tin-to-Central rail link into open space and add two underground walkways linking Kai Tak, Kowloon City and San Po Kong.

Land would be reserved for a monorail with eight stops.

The DAB has demanded that a bridge be built to link the southern tip of the runway and Kwun Tong MTR station, and the source said the government would continue to explore the suggestion, but it could involve some reclamation.

Some changes have been made to the development mix. The new plan would provide:

Less land for commercial development (office, hotel, retail), but more mixed development (residential, hotel and retail);

Less land for high-density and low-rise residential development;

More land for government and community facilities;

Larger areas for tourism development;

More open space and less land for roads.

Planning officials will present the revised proposal to the Town Planning Board, the Harbourfront Enhancement Committee and Kowloon City and Wong Tai Sin district councils in coming weeks.

hkskyline

October 23rd, 2006, 06:06 AM

Secrecy over Kai Tak cruise terminal generates waves of questions
20 October 2006
South China Morning Post

"The consortium chosen to develop a cruise terminal at Kai Tak will have the right to operate the terminal on the former airport site for more than 30 years."

SCMP, October 19

PERHAPS WE'LL GET around to building it then before those 30 years are up. Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen had been expected to present details in his policy address last week but no luck and the leaks we are now getting are still very short on detail.

Mr Tsang's reluctance is understandable. He has come a cropper on this idea once already. In his 1999 budget speech as financial secretary, he announced approval in principle of a cruise terminal in North Point to be built by a private developer.

That developer was tycoon Li Ka-shing but nothing came of the idea, perhaps because of the ruckus caused by the announcement in that same budget speech of another land grant (Cyberport) made without auction or tender to a member of Mr Li's family. It was just as well perhaps as North Point is not the right place.

Last year the government invited expressions of interest in the construction of a cruise terminal and got six replies. Only one of them proposed a terminal at the Kai Tak site, although Kai Tak had already been highlighted as a government preference. The others generally picked locations more convenient to their existing land banks. All were rejected.

The key date is now 2012 because this is the expiry date of Wharf Holdings' 50-year land grant on the existing terminal at the tip of the Tsim Sha Tsui peninsula. The location has been ruled out for a new terminal and the government will take the site back.

Thus Kai Tak it is to be and, judging by the latest version of the Kai Tak redevelopment plan, the terminal will feature two berths at the end of the old runway on a total of 13.3 hectares with related hotel, retail and entertainment facilities.

And now come the questions:

What is this mention of a consortium? There is no reason why it has to be a consortium. A single developer might do the job just as well, in fact perhaps better. Do we have a consortium stipulated because the government was embarrassed by proposing the single developer route for the West Kowloon Reclamation project and then had to reconsider?

Has this consortium already been formed or invited to bid for the project? There would normally be no reason to raise the question except that our government has an occasional habit of putting the cart before the horse in this way for big projects. Witness Cyberport and that North Point cruise terminal idea. There are other examples.

If no consortium already has the nod, how will the project be tendered? We are told that this is to be a 30-year build, operate and transfer project, which implies that the winner covers the cost of construction and operation, runs it for 30 years and then turns it all over to the government. Are we to have a completely open tendering process for this? Have we invited foreign terminal operators to participate?

Will the public purse get a share of the operating revenues? Thirty years is a mighty long time. Let's spare ourselves the embarrassment of awarding the project for one low lump sum and then seeing the winner generate profits of billions a year, all of which he keeps.

What about the land element? Will the winning bidder get the land for free and have to cover only the cost of constructing the facilities or will he have to pay a commercial price for the land? The land could be the single biggest cost element and we give land away for free much too easily in this town.

What about the hotels, retail and entertainment facilities? These facilities will be the biggest revenue drivers and there will be plenty of room for them. A site area of 13.3 hectares translates to 1.43 million square feet and this is site area, not floor area. Will these facilities also revert to the government in 30 years or will the developer keep them?

Has anyone in government yet obtained firm commitments from cruise line operators? Hong Kong has never been a big destination for cruises. Passenger arrivals from seagoing vessels amount to only 375,000 a year, a bare 0.38 per cent of all arrivals. How can we be sure that people will really come? New York demanded big multi-year passenger commitments from cruise operators before it built a terminal.

There are plenty more good questions among these lines and I am sure government officials will tell us that they will all be answered in good time. Trouble is, however, that good time does not always mean good answers and there is often nothing we can do about them any longer by that time.

This project appears a little too secretive for my liking in the way that only dribs and drabs of news on it have come out.

We need the terms and conditions clearly and fully stated now.

hkskyline

October 24th, 2006, 07:25 AM

啟德倡建摩天樓城規委員提反對
10月 24日星期二 05:10AM

【明報專訊】規劃署昨日就啟德(相關新聞 - 網站)發展大綱圖諮詢城規會，對於政府有意放寬高度限制，在跑道末端興建高200米即約60多層高的酒店地標，頂層並可供遊客俯瞰維港景色的建議，部分城規會委員提出反對。他們認為，在維港邊建「頂心杉」，是一個壞的先例。委員又促請政府盡快興建連接觀塘的大橋，促進啟德經濟發展。

曾主持啟德公眾諮詢論壇的城規會委員黃澤恩指出，公眾只希望在跑道末端興建觀光塔，不是以酒店形式興建。他說，酒店佔地6公頃，約容許發展高度由現時的100米倍增至200米，建築物會變成龐然大物，不單不配合觀塘海濱區發展，更可能會為海濱區的發展開了一個壞先例。

指不建大橋啟德成孤島

黃澤恩批評，政府把單軌火車和觀塘大橋的興建時間表綑綁並不合理，因郵輪碼頭於6年後建成，如單靠乘客到啟德消費，不足以支持啟德發展。他認為應先建觀塘大橋，方便當地居民出入，而啟德亦能為居民提供就業機會。

身兼港大地理系副教授的委員吳祖南認為，規劃署應在分區計劃大綱圖上列明觀光塔高度可達200米，酒店若要放寬高度限制，須再向城規會申請，「否則香港可能會出現另一座頂心杉」。他又擔心，若不盡快興建觀塘大橋，啟德可能會成為尖東商場十室九空的翻版，變成孤島。

規劃署將於下月把分區計劃大綱圖刊憲，諮詢公眾，啟德發展的工程最快可於08年動工。

hkth

October 24th, 2006, 02:38 PM

From news.gov.hk:
Kai Tak cruise terminal set for 2012 (http://news.gov.hk/en/bef2707d-6552-4e4e-96f4-e9c1e334f350.htm)

jason poon

October 24th, 2006, 04:00 PM

A little bit boredom when hearing Kai Tak's news!

I wonder if it is our HK style to talk rather than action!
Shame on the current Donald Tsang gov't!

hkskyline

October 24th, 2006, 04:20 PM

I'd rather they take their time to discuss and consult thoroughly rather than put out a plan and force it down the public's throat like they did in West Kowloon. The iterative exercise is crucial to properly put this huge plot of land into use.

hkskyline

October 25th, 2006, 12:46 AM

50-year deal planned for cruise ship terminal
Hong Kong Standard
Wednesday, October 25, 2006

The successful bidder for the two-berth cruise terminal at the old Kai Tak airport site will have the right to operate the terminal and its supporting facilities for 50 years, at a total cost of HK$2.4 billion.

The Economic Development and Labour Bureau Tuesday announced its decision to surrender the 7.6-hectare site to the private sector, saying it would be better suited to developing a competitive, world-class terminal in a short period of time.

If all goes well, the successful bidder could be reaping between HK$1.2 billion and HK$2.4 billion a year by 2020, the bureau estimated. The new terminal could also help create up to 10,900 new jobs by the same year.

Citing time pressure, bureau secretary Stephen Ip Shu-kwan said the government will invite tenders for the site in the fourth quarter of 2007, with the aim of awarding the tender in the first quarter of 2008. The successful bidder is then expected to complete construction on at least one of the two 400-meter-long cruise berths by 2012.

The berths must be able to accommodate "mega" vessels weighing up to 100,000 tons - a limit that will still rule out many of the industry's newer cruise ships.

A third cruise berth, while also in the government plans, will undergo a separate tender exercise sometime "further down the road."

"All along, the tourism sector has expressed concern about the provision of cruise facilities in Hong Kong. We have been approached by some of the largest cruise companies in the world," Ip said during a press conference Tuesday. "The sooner the first berth is built, the better. If it can be done before 2012, that is even better."

The bidder will be limited to 50,000 square meters of gross floor area for the development of the terminal and any accompanying retail facilities, which can be built in phases. The bidder must also build requisite ticketing, security, customs and baggage facilities.

The bureau estimates site formation will cost HK$1.3 billion and berth construction about HK$300 million.

Tenderers will be judged on financial capability, past experience in operating cruise terminals, and estimated time of completion. Six proposals submitted last year by various developers to build a temporary cruise terminal were rejected because technical complications rendered their timetable uncertain, Ip said.

When asked about the fate of the terminal after the conclusion of the 50-year contract, bureau permanent secretary Eva Cheng Yu-wah replied the government would reclaim the site.

However, she declined to comment on the existing cruise facilities at Tsim Sha Tsui's Ocean Terminal, operated by Wharf. The contract for that terminal is due to expire in 2012.

She emphasized that, since the government will not invest in the Kai Tak terminal, officials have no plans to monitor or restrict the operator.

But Ip's comments met with concern from lawmakers who originally supported the idea of the terminal at Kai Tak.

Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong legislator Choy So-yuk said she felt 50 years was too long and she had expected the contract to be closer to 20 years.

"We don't know what the company is going to do with the terminal. What happens if the company performs poorly?

"Or, if the terminal needs to be refurbished, do we then need to obtain the permission of the company?" she asked.

The proposed terminal at Kai Tak has been a source of controversy in recent months as some sectors of the community continue to rally for the expansion of Ocean Terminal instead.

Officials have defended their choice, however, claiming Kai Tak is the only site in Kowloon with waters deep enough to accommodate up to three berths.

Even so, with waters reaching only 10 meters deep, the site will still require dredging to ensure large vessels can anchor.

Commissioner for Tourism Au King-chi said Tuesday cruise passenger numbers worldwide have skyrocketed more than 40 percent in the past four years, to more than 14 million last year.

With more terminals also planned for Singapore and Shanghai, she said Hong Kong must act quickly to capitalize on the growing trend.

As such, the government will launch a pre-tender consultation with the industry before the end of the year, in tandem with the gazetting of the Kai Tak outline zoning plan by the Town Planning Board.

hkskyline

October 25th, 2006, 06:06 PM

Kai Tak a diamond for developers: lawmaker
25 October 2006
South China Morning Post

The government's proposal to turn the former Kai Tak airport into a commercial, tourism and residential complex has been criticised as a vehicle for "exchanging development rights for political favours".

"You are cutting up a perfect diamond into several pieces," legislator Albert Chan Wai-yip told housing minister Michael Suen Ming-yeung in the Legislative Council yesterday.

"You have distorted the original idea of a Kai Tak development."

Fellow independent lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki said he was concerned the project would benefit private developers at the expense of the public.

Mr Suen denied he was paying lip service to the environment and pointed out that one-third of the entire development would be devoted to publicly accessible landscaped and green park areas.

All three main political parties - the Liberal Party, the Democratic Party and the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong - welcomed the government's latest revised plan.

The design includes a 200-metre, 50-storey hotel near the southern end of the runway, a heliport, a cruise ship terminal with at least two berths and a bridge connecting the area to neighbouring Kwun Tong district.

The other end of the runway will be dominated by a multi-purpose stadium and low-density commercial and residential developments. A monorail may serve the area.

DAB lawmaker Chan Kam-lam said an observation tower or deck should be built near the hotel.

The current plan assumes no reclamation, although a third cruise ship berth would probably require additional dredging.

Deputy Director of Planning Ophelia Wong Yuen-sheung said it would be best to build the first two cruise ship berths at the southern end of the runway because the sea was deeper there.

hkskyline

October 31st, 2006, 07:23 PM

Kai Tak is back.
The Hong Kong government has chosen the old airport site for a new cruise terminal
26 October 2006
Lloyd's List

THE site of the once famous Kai Tak airport in Hong Kong has been chosen by the territory’s government as the new flagship cruise terminal facility.

The government has its sights on a 2012 opening of the first phase as an expected cost of HK$2.4bn ($307.7m).

Hong Kong’s secretary for economic development and Labour, Stephen Ip, told a press conference that the government would develop the new cruise terminal through an open tender.

“The successful bidder will, at his own cost, form the site as well as design, build and operate the berthing and supporting facilities.

“This will include reconstruction of the existing seawall and development of two alongside berths which can meet the need of mega cruise vessels up to a displacement of 100,00 tonnes.”

The plan is that a new cruise terminal will be developed on a site of 7.6 ha earmarked at the southern end of the old runway. Following completion of the first berth the government will offer land adjacent to the cruise terminal to the market for development of tourism-related facilities, such as hotels.

“Depending on the implementation programme of the successful bidder, the first berth at Kai Tak is expected to be completed in 2012,” he said.

The successful bidder will also be required to build and operate the second berth, with the option of a third berth at a later date.

“The successful bidder will have the right to develop commercial, office and retail facilities up to a total gross floor area of 50,000 sq m in the cruise terminal building. It will have the flexibility to develop these facilities in phases but within a fixed period,” Mr Ip said.

The government intends to invite tender after the approval of the Outline Zone plan for Kai Tak in the second half of 2007. “We look forward to awarding the tender in the first quarter of 2008,” Mr Ip said.

“The new terminal facilities will become an important tourism infrastructure for Hong Kong. It will help diversify our tourism products, enhancing our attractiveness to tourists from different segments, including the high-end market.”

The government said according to market consultancy studies, with the availability of new cruise terminal facilities and appropriate marketing strategies, the economic benefits are estimated at HK$1.4bn- HK$2.2bn a year and offer employment to as many 10,900 workers.

The decision, which came on Tuesday, was not unexpected. There was a widely held view that the government had always intended to develop the new cruise terminal at Kai Tak as the only site within Victoria Harbour with the capability to provide two or more alongside berths without reclamation. This did lead some to wonder why it wasted time with an “expression of interest exercise” which sought alternative site ideas at the end of last year.

Kai Tak, once famous for the challenging descent required by aircraft to land in the territory, closed in 1998.

hkskyline

November 20th, 2006, 12:37 PM

Tender plan for Kai Tak under fire
9 November 2006
Hong Kong Standard

The government's proposal to grant a 50-year contract for the new cruise terminal at Kai Tak encountered its first stumbling block Wednesday when an advisory body criticized officials for jeopardizing public interest by giving ``free rein'' to the successful bidder.

Members of the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee questioned the administration's logic behind granting unchecked ``flexibility'' to the developer of the 7.6-hectare site, pointing out the contract's long duration, coupled with a lack of conditions or supervision, could result in yet another mega-commercial complex.

``How will you ensure that the bidder exercises sustainable development? How will you ensure that quality of the site is on par with a waterfront promenade fit for public use, and not just cruise passengers?'' asked the Conservancy Association's Alvin Kwok Ngai- kuen. ``We need to know you will set criteria and incorporate planning principles into the contract.''

The government has recently been eager to accelerate the HK$2.4 billion project in light of the rapidly growing cruise market, citing similar structures going up in Shanghai and Singapore. Officials have set a 2012 deadline for the first of the three cruise berths.

But Kwok's concerns Wednesday were echoed by several other members who feared rushing the project would compromise one of the last pieces of prime waterfront land.

Institute of Architects vice president Vincent Ng Wing-shun wanted to know how the government came to the decision to allow the developer a gross floor area of 50,000 square meters for the terminal and accompanying retail facilities. ``Will it be just hotels and malls, or will you require the bidder to submit a proposal? Our concern is that you don't seem to have a concept plan at this stage, and that town planning concepts won't be incorporated into the planning,'' he said.

Tourism Commission officials said the proposed gross floor area was decided after consultation with the cruise industry and consultants on what was ``necessary'' in terms of space.

Commercial facilities at similar sites like the existing Ocean Terminal and China Ferry Terminal measure about 40,000 sqm, the officials added.

While admitting she envisioned much of the site would be used to develop shopping facilities, offices and hotels, Commissioner for Tourism Au King-chi reassured the resulting development will be one that adds ``vibrancy'' and ``attracts people.'' A pre- tender consultation with ``all stakeholders,'' set to begin early next year, will determine what conditions to include in the tender document, she said.

As for the remainder of the 328-hectare site, members said they were concerned it would remain incomplete in the government's rush to finish building the first cruise terminal berth.

The Real Estate Developers Association of Hong Kong, meanwhile, has expressed objections to the location.

In a submission to the Legislative Council's planning, lands and works panel, the association said the economic case for a cruise terminal is not proven. ``We have serious reservations on Kai Tak as the most suitable location for a cruise terminal as it is remote and distant from other tourism nodes.''

The association also said its preference is to locate the cruise terminal at either West Kowloon or Hung Hom using existing seawall facilities or to focus on upgrading existing facilities at Ocean Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui.

The government expects to invite tenders for the terminal by the fourth quarter of next year, with the aim of awarding the tender in early 2008.

redstone

November 20th, 2006, 05:58 PM

What's that mound on the site?

JoshYent

November 21st, 2006, 01:10 AM

What's that mound on the site?

not sure

LS木糖醇

November 22nd, 2006, 09:23 AM

Oh , i know the airport

Manila-X

November 22nd, 2006, 09:31 AM

hkskyline

November 22nd, 2006, 04:12 PM

Kaitak is the idea location for a cruise terminal while Ocean Terminal can be a substitute.

Another thing, there were plans before for land reclamation between the runways, just wondering what happened to that.

A much better location for a new cruise terminal was floated in West Kowloon, but due to the depth of the water, serious dredging would need to take place if the terminal was built in the cultural district.

Cunning Linguist

November 22nd, 2006, 07:57 PM

hkskyline

November 23rd, 2006, 11:45 AM

I really think they should reclaim the sea in between the runway and ... is it Hung Hom? Then create an area of low-rise with vast spaces of open landscaped park. Also have the terminal at the end, with a road at the end so there's no traffic going along the main runway.

There won't be reclamation to the west of the runway. That's a huge bay leading to Hung Hom and it is too big to fill in. Kai Tak actually is a fairly green redevelopment plan. The first plans that came out advocated a pollution-free city whereby roads are buried underground and parks dominate the landscape.

EricIsHim

November 24th, 2006, 12:29 AM

i know a lot of people don't want any reclaimation on either side of the runway. i agree with not to fill the gap west of the runway, but east of it (between the runway and kwun tong) should be reconsidered. there was an article in the newspaper a few days ago about the issue of trapping polluted water inside the gap between the runway and kuwn tong, and making the area smells bad. the planning development is now considering filling that gap to eliminate further pollution problem there. The article sais an EIS is going to be performed to determine the need of any reclaimation or what other ways can solve the problem.

Cunning Linguist

November 24th, 2006, 11:11 AM

My bad. The area I wanted filled in was the area north east of the runway. For some reason I thought it was Hung Hom, but obviously isn't. For the same reason - that polluted water just gets trapped there.

hkth

November 24th, 2006, 11:23 AM

Gov't Press Release:
Draft Kai Tak Outline Zoning Plan gazetted (http://info.gov.hk/gia/general/200611/24/P200611240127.htm)

From news.gov.hk:
323-hectare Kai Tak plan released (http://news.gov.hk/en/category/infrastructureandlogistics/061124/html/061124en06005.htm)

hkskyline

December 2nd, 2006, 03:07 PM

啟德六公頃地建低密度住宅
星島
11月 24日星期五 04:45PM

城市規劃委員會公布，啟德地區共設6個分區，分別是啟德城中心、體育場館區、都會公園、跑道休閒區、旅遊及休閒中心和南停機坪角，每個分區由休憩用地緊密連繫起來。根據啟德分區計劃大綱草圖，該分區涵蓋面積達323公頃，將發展為香港文化體育和旅遊綠茵樞紐。分區涵蓋範圍包括前機場用地的北停機坪、南停機坪、跑道區，以及馬頭角海旁、觀塘海旁、茶果嶺海旁、啟德明渠進口道、土瓜灣避風塘和觀塘避風塘；共設6個分區，分別是啟德城中心、體育場館區、都會公園、跑道休閒區、旅遊及休閒中心和南停機坪角，每個分區由休憩用地緊密連繫起來。區內約約60.7公頃土地劃作郵輪碼頭項目和其相關設施。合共約35.4公頃土地劃作住宅發展用途，包括6幅，面積共約6.1公頃的土地作低層數、低密度住宅發展。

hkskyline

December 2nd, 2006, 03:08 PM

郵輪碼頭設專員督工
11月 28日星期二 05:05AM

【明報專訊】立法會經濟事務委員會昨日討論啟德跑道興建郵輪碼頭的計劃。會上政府表示，將安排一名旅遊事務助理專員（屬D2首長級別）專責實施和監督招標，並支援跨部門委員會及下設的兩個工作小組，監察計劃之餘同時協調處理啟德污染問題。

會上有議員認為，中標財團擁有50年營運權太長，建議改為30年，之後再按情續約20年。經濟發展及勞工局常任秘書長鄭汝樺表示，東南九龍屬全新發展地區，區內配套尚未成熟，中標財團須作龐大投資，相信50年經營權更能確保合理回報。多名議員均認為工程進度太慢，希望加快碼頭的興建時間表。經濟發展及勞工局長葉澍劏重申，由於涉及法定程序及環評工作，首個泊位最快2012年才能啟用。

hkskyline

December 8th, 2006, 04:53 PM

特首讚規劃署啟德建議
12月 07日星期四 05:05AM

【明報專訊】特首曾蔭權昨日到訪規劃署，署長伍謝淑瑩向他講解香港長遠規劃和配合珠三角發展的研究進展，以及如何在城市規劃上應用資訊科技。

曾蔭權觀看啟德發展模型後，讚揚規劃署的建議突顯啟德的特點，他相信該區將來一定會發展成為匯集綠茵、體育及旅遊特色的新焦點。

政府新聞處

hkskyline

December 8th, 2006, 05:23 PM

Kai Tak development exhibition to open
December 5, 2006
Government Press Release

The Planning Department will hold a roving exhibition on the Kai Tak Development Plan from December 7 to the end of January. It will feature display panels, computer animation and a physical model to show the key development proposals for Kai Tak.

After the completion of three rounds of public participation programmes for the Kai Tak Planning Review, a revised Preliminary Outline Development Plan was prepared. Based on the proposals in the revised plan, a new draft Kai Tak Outline Zoning Plan was prepared.

Click here - http://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/200612/05/P200612050163.htm - for the exhibition schedule. For more details visit the department's website - http://http://www.pland.gov.hk.

hkskyline

December 8th, 2006, 05:39 PM

Hong Kong Standard
November 13, 2006 Monday
Diamond Hill Eyed for Train Depot

The train depot for the future Sha Tin- Central rail line may be relocated to Diamond Hill, according to government sources. The original plan was for the depot to be built at Kai Tak, but under the Kai Tak redevelopment plan announced last month, the government said the depot would be relocated to another district because it limited the integration of Kowloon City and the future development of Kai Tak, sources said.

The government is studying the feasibility of building the depot at Tai Hom Village, Diamond Hill, which is already slated for integrated development, the sources said.

The land at Tai Hom Village was abandoned almost four years ago, and construction of the depot is expected to speed up the planned development of Diamond Hill, sources said.

``Since Tai Hom Village had been proposed as the site for the depot before it was `ticked out' from the Kai Tak redevelopment plan, naturally we would study its feasibility. We still should have certain background information about it,'' a source said.

Located opposite the Galaxia private housing estate, the 7.1-hectare Tai Hom Village is one of the major plots of land earmarked for further development.

The government and the Kowloon- Canton Railway Corp would need to amend the sub-district planning map if the proposal is finalized because it was not originally planned for the building of a train depot.

Sources said the possibility of allowing private housing atop the depot would not be ruled out. It remains to be seen whether the proposal would hasten or slow down the planned development of the village.

The government is confident of getting the depot built, citing examples of rail depots built in urban areas, such as Telford Garden in Kowloon Bay, Heng Fa Chuen in Chai Wan and Luk Yeung Sun Tsuen in Tsuen Wan. Centaline Surveyors managing director Victor Lai Kin-fai estimated the Tai Hom Village site would cost more than HK$10 billion. ``Building the depot might decrease the price of the land, but it also depends if there's real estate built on the depot and its influence on the neighborhood,'' Lai said.

A KCRC spokesman said it is still waiting for the government to announce the plan for the Sha Tin-Central rail line.

An Environment, Transport and Works Bureau spokesman said the government is still studying the Sha Tin-Central line under the KCRC's merger with the Mass Transit Railway Corp. The study includes details on the planning and infrastructure items of stops along the line, but nothing has been finalized.

The KCRC proposed last year that the rail line be divided into two routes _ one extending from the East Rail to Central, via Causeway Bay, the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai and Admiralty, and the other one extending from Ma On Shan Rail to Tai Wai and Hung Hom stations, via Diamond Hill, Kai Tak, Ma Tau Wai and Ho Man Tin. The Sha Tin-Central line is expected to come into service in 2011.

hkskyline

December 8th, 2006, 06:36 PM

Plan from an old government website :

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

hkskyline

December 9th, 2006, 04:42 PM

九龍貨倉申建6幢住宅
12月 12日星期二 05:05AM

【明報專訊】九倉（0004）申請將正對啟德跑道的九龍貨倉，發展為「海景版」星河明居，申建6幢33至38層住宅（於2層商業平台、1層園景平台、1層地庫停車場以上），共提供1426伙，城規會將於本周五審理。另外，關注維港組織「共創我們的海港區」申請將九鐵(相關新聞 - 網站)持有的一幅紅磡海旁用地，發展為零售及娛樂休憩區，供市民享用，亦於本周五審理。

hkskyline

December 20th, 2006, 10:50 AM

http://www.weather.org.hk/discus4/messages/40/1634.jpg

bixel

December 20th, 2006, 04:35 PM

Sure hope they are successful on the clean up project..HK Harbour is a treasure that should not get neglected. If it takes longer to do a good cleanup then the better - I'd rather wait and know that the land is safe.

Great posts on the clean-up proposals and methods being reviewed.

jason poon

December 20th, 2006, 06:29 PM

I personally deprecate the master plan of Kai Tak, or even that for West Kowloon Reclamation Area. Kai Tak is a treasure that able to rebound our economy. Why not open it for international tender and invite for innovative ideas. The gov't's planning dept was just simply filled in the blanks with apple and banana that our kids were exercising in kindergarten!

Let's share the Singapore practice on Marina Bay and Sentosa......a brilliance of future that may successfully turn over its original "boring" image (at least in HKer's eyes)!!!

hkskyline

December 21st, 2006, 03:47 AM

jason poon

December 21st, 2006, 12:33 PM

They did the international competition for West Kowloon, and that did result in a nice plan by Foster, but then the politics got in the way to screw things up.

Kai Tak was meant to be a residential community, hence it doesn't make sense to send it out for international tender. Then various things were added and dropped, such as the cruise terminal. The original concept of a pollution-free city is quite good. I hope that stays.

Kai Tak=Residential Area! Are we lack of residential lands?
West Kln=Cultural District! Can few museums improve our cultural standard?

It is not worth to limit the usage of these two areas; especially when HK is not lack of residential land and there is no signal on sharp increment on population.

For the so-called international tender on West Kln, I will explain it is a political game introduced by our D Tsang to promote his fxxking idea of "the world largest canopy/roof/skylight". It is our pleasure that our 20billion dollars will be saved! However, it was actually an architectural design competition with full limitation on the specified "cultural" developement, I rather joy to see if this piece of land is opened for planning and usage idea(s), so as to facilitate our sustainable development.

HK was used to be one of the major tourist's focus in East Asia, however our role is decaying when Macau, Singapore, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Taipei etc developed their own attractions. I hope the recent Singapore's approach on Marina Bay and Sentosa development shall wake up our sicking gov't.

hkskyline

December 22nd, 2006, 08:25 AM

Kai Tak=Residential Area! Are we lack of residential lands?
West Kln=Cultural District! Can few museums improve our cultural standard?

It is not worth to limit the usage of these two areas; especially when HK is not lack of residential land and there is no signal on sharp increment on population.

For the so-called international tender on West Kln, I will explain it is a political game introduced by our D Tsang to promote his fxxking idea of "the world largest canopy/roof/skylight". It is our pleasure that our 20billion dollars will be saved! However, it was actually an architectural design competition with full limitation on the specified "cultural" developement, I rather joy to see if this piece of land is opened for planning and usage idea(s), so as to facilitate our sustainable development.

HK was used to be one of the major tourist's focus in East Asia, however our role is decaying when Macau, Singapore, Guangzhou, Shanghai and Taipei etc developed their own attractions. I hope the recent Singapore's approach on Marina Bay and Sentosa development shall wake up our sicking gov't.
Both the West Kowloon Cultural District and Kai Tak redevelopment plans are experimental grounds for new urban design and planning concepts. The government's idea for a cultural venue in response to a lack of facilities was valid, while putting it out for international competition added a bit of flavour. Foster's design was well accepted in Hong Kong, and it wasn't about money either. The government had plenty of it.

Kai Tak's redevelopment plan changed again and again over the years. First, there was a stadium proposal in response to the 2006 Asian Games bid. Along with it came a pollution-free city theme, which was unheard of in Hong Kong at the time. Burying roads and having a huge park and monorail on the surface was a very fresh concept. However, subsequent lawsuits about reclamation on the other side of the harbour made Kai Tak a very politically-sensitive issue. Nevertheless, it's not in the most desirable part of town, so residential it is.

The government had considered several options for a cruise terminal. One was in the West Kowloon Cultural District, but the waters there are too shallow and dredging would be very problematic, so they settled on Kai Tak, although they did consider North Point for a while.

For a redevelopment project of such a size, it's not possible to rush and set the plans solid and hope to carry it out to the fullest to the end. Hong Kong's political atmosphere and citizen movements have changed drastically over the past decade, so the government would never have gotten away with pushing something that was rigid and people didn't like. It's not economically feasible to fully redevelop Kai Tak in one shot anyway without seriously damaging the property market. Circumstances change, and the government had to adapt and react (or over-react). They can't ignore or ban people protesting on the streets.

There is an exhibition at the Hong Kong Infrastructure Experience about Kai Tak. I urge people to visit it to see what ideas they have today.

jason poon

December 22nd, 2006, 02:04 PM

Aboveday

December 22nd, 2006, 06:10 PM

New Kai Tak development Model @ exhibition:

The Planning Department will hold a roving exhibition on the Kai Tak Development Plan from December 7 to the end of January. It will feature display panels, computer animation and a physical model to show the key development proposals for Kai Tak.

After the completion of three rounds of public participation programmes for the Kai Tak Planning Review, a revised Preliminary Outline Development Plan was prepared. Based on the proposals in the revised plan, a new draft Kai Tak Outline Zoning Plan was prepared.
Click here for the exhibition schedule. For more details visit the department's website.

Photo By nelson @ hkitalk.net

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l178/love_enviro400/CIMG0061.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l178/love_enviro400/CIMG0062.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l178/love_enviro400/CIMG0029.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l178/love_enviro400/CIMG0058.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l178/love_enviro400/CIMG0050.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l178/love_enviro400/CIMG0051.jpg

http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l178/love_enviro400/CIMG0066.jpg

The revised preliminary outline development plan includes two stadium, an ocean liner terminal, hotels,an observation Tower(<200m),commercial buildings(<200m),a huge public square,underground shopping mall,parks,waterfront promenade,residencial buildings(low-density community),monorail,one MTR(KCR)station..

Mr. Fusion

December 22nd, 2006, 10:18 PM

Thank you for the pictures Aboveday. :yes:

:grouphug:

kelw

December 23rd, 2006, 04:15 AM

Do they still plan to cut the runway into several pieces? Or has that idea been shelved?

jason poon

December 23rd, 2006, 04:38 AM

Thank you Aboveday for the nice pics of Kai Tak development illustration and would like to make few comments on the plan itself:

1. A footbridge is proposed to connect KaiTak midway and the Kowloon Bay waterfront, it just locates over the ingress of the deadend channel. However the bridge seems at least 2km long with some tens meter over the water datumn. Isn't it a wrong proposal? or we should just simply make use of the monrail for people movement?!

2. The whole plan is seem to be chopped in four zones, the northen part is definitely a residential area while park+sport faciliites are located just south of it, or at the northen part of the original runway; a hotel/luxery residential district is proposed at the midspan of the runway while a liner terminal+assoicated facilities are designed at the southest. In general we can expect a boring and silent area will be formed. Our great planner in the Gov't should visit http://www.marina-bay.sg/explore.htm to learn how to develop a virgin piece of land in professional way!

3. Kai Tak is located at the eastern part of Kowloon, where is traditionally a manufacturing and residential district. A good development plan in Kai Tak may not only produce a good environment in Kai Tak itself, it shall also able to reform the old districts of ToKwaWan, Kwoloon City, SanPoKong, Kowloon Bay, NgauTauKok and KwunTong etc. I regret to say the current plan from the Gov't is not able to perform as a locomotive to the East Kln reforms.

4. Overall, I will comment there is no feature in the whole plan. When our society went to invest tens of billion dollar into the development, we shall also expect some landmarks or features those able to raise the value of the area. The planner, unfortunately, didn't make use of the long waterfront, the Observation Tower is actually a property developement, etc etc etc etc!

If we really go ahead with this plan, we are wasting our social resources!

hkskyline

December 24th, 2006, 03:20 PM

I respect very much what's Messrs hkskyline explained, however as a responsible gov't I still wonder if the following critical issues are not tackled with satisfactory or tangible intention and committment:

1. Sustainable development of our economy, what's the gov't explained that we are suffering in economic restructuring is not substantiable.

2. Singapore, our usual competitor, is recently achieved successness on the development of her virginland of Marina Bay as well as redevelopment of Sentosa, what hk intents and commits to react? Should our gov't or governer just focus on tackling the street's roam or political noise? Pls accept it is a gobally standard that citizen is responsible to oversee her gov't!

3. As a young professional in HK, I really cannot locat adequate security on my future. I am not asking for assistance, however our environment is not sound enough for our continuous accomplishment.
Here are my thoughts on your points :

1. Sustainable development hasn't effectively been implemented by the government. The movement is still very new and small. For example, on the software side, they should educate people to recycle, then provide the hardware support.

2. Hong Kong's harbourfront redevelopment was not intended to be a response to any other city's development. Kai Tak was destined to close long beforehand, but since the land is contaminated, it cannot be resurrected right after the airport closed. The Central-Wanchai reclamation was designed to relieve traffic, then to make it appealing to the public, the park was added on top. Then the sustainable movement came and the government tried to mask the highway as a sustainable development project offering a continuous harbourfront parkade to Hong Kongers. The reason why there was so much squabbling over the reclamation size was because of the underground highway's design.

3. As the foundations of the next generation of Hong Kong's development, we need to make our voices heard. Our collective voice will be heard, and Hong Kongers are beginning to notice and worry much more than what's in our wallets.

I believe you, like many of us Hong Kongers in this forum, are very concerned about our home. That's a very good sign. We just have to move forward from there.

hkskyline

March 16th, 2007, 07:14 PM

Hong Kong calls for Kai Tak terminal bids
16 March 2007
Lloyd's List

Hong Kong authorities are set to call for tenders to build a new cruise terminal on the site of the former Kai Tak airport runway this year, writes Sandra Speares in Miami.

It will have capacity to handle two 220,000 gt cruise vessels of 360 m LOA, 47 m beam and 10 m draught, said Au King-Chi, commissioner for tourism for Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

She told delegates at the Seatrade convention in Miami that all all bids would be assessed on their merits and not on the basis of where they came from.

Bids close early next year, with the successful contractor allowed to operate the terminal for a 50-year period and determine fees and charges.

Hong Kong ranked number one as a city destination, Ms Au said, and received more than 25m visitors last year, 8% up on the previous year’s figures. More than half were from mainland China.

The territory offered many benefits for the cruise industry including easy navigational access, the ability to accommodate the largest ships and easy access to tourist attractions.

It had received upwards of 2,000 cruise calls in the past two years, with passenger throughput of 2m, more than double 1999 figures.

Hong Kong offered a gateway to the Chinese mainland, Ms Au said. China received 22m international tourists last year, 14% of whom visited Hong Kong first.

Kong Ling Jin, associate vice-president inbound at the China International Travel Service, said port authorities on the Chinese mainland had started to invest heavily in cruise with new terminals planned at Xiamen, Shanghai and Sanya.

Terminal upgrades are planned for Tianjin and Dalian, while Qingdao aims to vert the sailing facilities to a cruise terminal after the Olympic Games next year.

Royal Caribbean’s Rhap- sody of the Seas was scheduled to make Shanghai its home port from next year, Mr Kong said, and Costa Allegra was already homeporting there.

hkskyline

April 26th, 2007, 07:05 PM

DAB pushes for greener Kai Tak
Hong Kong Standard
Thursday, April 26, 2007

A more "spacious and greener" Kai Tak redevelopment than the one the government has in mind is being proposed by the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong.

The draft of the Kai Tak redevelopment plan is scheduled to be submitted to the Executive Council for approval in October.

Explaining the DAB's blueprint at the party's headquarters Wednesday, DAB legislator Chan Kam-lam said there was room for improvement in the government's plan, which was announced last year.

The party's latest proposal calls for the square around the Kai Tak station on the planned Sha Tin-Central railway line to be enlarged to 20 to 30 hectares, about 1 times the size of Victoria Park.

The government's original proposal was for seven hectares.

"By creating a larger green area closer to San Po Kong, residents of the ensuing areas would be able to get there in just five to 10 minutes of walking, greatly enhancing accessibility," said Chan, who added that the proposal remained a suggestion and consequently did not have a specific green area ratio.

Another major difference between the DAB proposal and that of the government is the height of the planned government complex.

Instead of building a few 30-story buildings, the DAB proposes low- density offices of no more than four stories.

"This would, in reality, bring the government's proposals closer to the public's aspirations, since the complex would become more usable," said architect Philip Liao Yi-kung, who helped the DAB draw up the plan.

Chan added that commercial blocks originally planned between the station and San Po Kong would be repositioned further away from the existing high- rises to avoid blocking wind flow and worsening air pollution.

Chan admitted that the inaccessibility of the far end of Kai Tak runway is a natural problem that is difficult to resolve.

He also urged the government to build a bridge linking the runway to Kwun Tong.

"We don't want to see the new recreational facilities isolated like Chater Garden in Central, where no one goes after dark," Chan said.

Compared with the government's plan, the plot ratios and costs incurred in developing the area according to the party's proposal remained relatively the same, according to Chan.

He said the proposal would be formally introduced to the Town Planning Board May 4.

"We surely hope the proposal will be considered [by the board] seriously and we fully support building the tourist area as soon as possible," Chan said.

The Town Planning Board gazetted the new draft Kai Tak Outline Zoning Plan - what it termed a hub of heritage, greenery, sports and tourism - last November after extensive public consultation.

The plan, which covers more than 300 hectares, includes the building of a cruise terminal that could involve construction costs of up to HK$2.4 billion but reap a profit of HK$2 billion a year.

hkskyline

May 4th, 2007, 07:40 PM

城規會收緊舊機場跑道觀景台高度限制
2007-05-04 HKT 19:07
RTHK

城規會接納規劃署建議，將啟德分區發展圖中，在舊機場跑道尾的觀景台高度限制，由 200 米改為 100 米。

有關改動，是回應居民團體，擔心觀景台過高，做成屏風效應。另外，城規會亦同意在啟德規劃中，加入行人天橋，連接九龍城和沙中線的啟德站。

hkskyline

May 6th, 2007, 07:15 PM

城規會通過限制啟德規劃區建築物高度，倘超逾百米需獲得批准
05月 04日星期五 03:27PM

《經濟通專訊》城規會今日（４日）舉行會議，規劃專員余賜堅表示，會修改現有的大綱圖，刪除設有觀景台建築物的２００米高度限制，並規定如高度超過１００米，需要獲得城規會的批准。

啟德發展民間聯席召集人陳婉嫻認為，除了限制高度，亦應將有關建築物的地積比率控制於三至四倍。

另外，有公眾意見反對興建直昇機場，會為附近居民帶來噪音，余賜堅回應指，會作可行性研究，確保噪音水平符合標準。

hkskyline

May 7th, 2007, 07:30 PM

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/asiaglobe/kaitak/Panel_50.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/asiaglobe/kaitak/Panel_51.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/asiaglobe/kaitak/Panel_52.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/asiaglobe/kaitak/Panel_53.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/asiaglobe/kaitak/Panel_54.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v81/asiaglobe/kaitak/Panel_55.jpg

Larger versions : http://www.pland.gov.hk/p_study/prog_s/sek_09/website_chib5_eng/english/index_e.html

hkskyline

May 10th, 2007, 07:41 PM

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20070510/IMG_3322.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20070510/IMG_3323.jpg

http://www.globalphotos.org/hongkong/20070510/IMG_3324.jpg

hkskyline

May 12th, 2007, 06:01 AM

Draft Kai Tak Zoning Plan
http://www.ozp.tpb.gov.hk/pdf/s_k22_1_e.pdf

hkskyline

May 18th, 2007, 07:20 PM

Kai Tak heliport plan opposed
5 May 2007
South China Morning Post

A plan to build a heliport on the waterfront of the future Kai Tak development area has been criticised because it would deprive residents of the rights to enjoy Victoria Harbour.

The opposition was raised at a Town Planning Board hearing yesterday at which concern groups were invited to express their views on the development of the former airport site.

The government plans to turn the area into a commercial, tourism and residential complex.

According to latest plans, there will be hotels near the southern end of the old runway, a heliport serving the Pearl River Delta and a cruise ship terminal with at least two berths.

The other end of the runway will be dominated by a multipurpose stadium and low-density commercial and residential developments. A monorail may serve the area.

Lawmaker Chan Yuen-han, also a convenor of the Joint Concern Group on Kai Tak Development, said: "The Kai Tak waterfront belongs to the people. The government should not restrict the access to it to a small group of travellers."

Ms Chan urged the board to move the heliport to the roof of the future cruise terminal. Her group also urged the board to cap the plot ratio - the floor area of the buildings divided by the area of the site - at three to four, instead of the proposed five.

She said this could limit the density of the blocks and their heights to avoid a so-called "wall effect", which could worsen air circulation.

Planning Department district planning officer Eric Yue Chi-kin said buildings taller than 100 metres would need approval of the board.

The Economic Development and Labour Bureau said the location of the proposed heliport had been carefully chosen to avoid it being too close to residential areas.

At yesterday's meeting, the Real Estate Developers Association also urged the government to include more residential sites in the Kai Tak area. But the Planning Department said it wanted to set aside more land for commercial use. The government has been studying ways to develop the Kai Tak site since the airport moved to Chek Lap Kok in 1998.

hkskyline

May 20th, 2007, 06:24 AM

啟德建郵輪碼頭需挖泥
20/05/2007
東方日報

【本報訊】為發展啟德郵輪碼頭，需要挖掘九龍灣海床，土木工程拓展署預算總挖泥量達一百七十萬立方米，其中五十萬立方米為受污染的海泥，將棄置於東沙洲，而未受污染的海泥則在長洲南部棄置。土木工程拓展署稍後會向環境保護署提交工程的環境影響評估報告。

啟德郵輪碼頭位於跑道末端，可以容納總噸位達廿二萬噸及吃水深度達十米的巨型郵輪。大約九百米長的現有斜坡海堤須重建，並挖深對出海床至十二米，以提供郵輪迴旋區和進出口航道。

部分從現有海堤挖出的物料會用於重建的海堤，挖出的海泥將由躉船運離工地及卸於指定棄置區。由於挖泥工程可能會影響附近的水質，因此工程會使用密封式抓斗和隔泥幕，以紓解影響。

整項挖泥工程分兩個階段進行，首階段在 ○ 九年展開，預計二 ○ 一一年底完成，以配合首個郵輪泊位翌年投入服務，而配合第二個泊位的第二階段工程則因應市場情況，在二 ○ 一二年以後展開。

FinKat

May 27th, 2007, 05:14 PM

Does anyone have information about what has/will happen to Checkerboard Hill ?
Is the checkerboard still there ?

Is it possible to visit the checkerboard ?
I've seen some awesome videos taken from the checkerboard back in the days when Kai Tak was still in use.

Pax Sinica

May 27th, 2007, 09:33 PM

^^ It's grey now.

Pax Sinica

May 27th, 2007, 09:36 PM

The ultimate challenge for pilots:cheers:
http://www.mocasting.com/main/album/1083/original/49249.jpg
http://www.dvo.com/newsletter/monthly/2005/june/jest/ATT00010.jpg
http://www.dvo.com/newsletter/monthly/2005/june/jest/ATT00004.jpg
http://www.mocasting.com/main/album/1083/original/49252.jpg
http://www.dvo.com/newsletter/monthly/2005/june/jest/ATT00016.jpg
http://www.dvo.com/newsletter/monthly/2005/june/jest/ATT00019.jpg
http://www.dvo.com/newsletter/monthly/2005/june/jest/ATT00022.jpg
http://www.dvo.com/newsletter/monthly/2005/june/jest/ATT00025.jpg
http://www.dvo.com/newsletter/monthly/2005/june/jest/ATT00028.jpg
http://www.dvo.com/newsletter/monthly/2005/june/jest/ATT00031.jpg
http://www.dvo.com/newsletter/monthly/2005/june/jest/ATT00034.jpg

A bad luck Taiwan pilot

http://www.dvo.com/newsletter/monthly/2005/june/jest/ATT00037.jpg

Concorde landing at Kai Tak
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBtLix4xqdI&NR=1

FinKat

May 27th, 2007, 10:05 PM

^^ It's grey now.

No way :ohno:

Salif

May 28th, 2007, 01:13 AM

AM Putra

May 28th, 2007, 02:51 PM

Very lucky day for the pilot. It just slipped.

Okan

May 28th, 2007, 08:04 PM

KAI TAK was one of the most spectucular airports in the world.It was very dangerous to land there.Pilots needed there a special training licence to land in KAI TAK.

CarlosBlueDragon

May 29th, 2007, 04:41 PM

Bitxofo

May 29th, 2007, 07:19 PM

:eek2:Oh, my God!!:eek2:

Pax Sinica

June 11th, 2007, 03:24 PM

The area near Kai Tak is under large scale re-development.

Pax Sinica

June 11th, 2007, 03:27 PM

http://www.skyscrapers.cn/forum/attachments/20070611_557f84307925d6c5d5e38SbhsgCqH4v2.jpg

Ah! Monterrey

June 11th, 2007, 09:30 PM

I hope that that pilot never rises my flight

hkskyline

June 12th, 2007, 06:01 AM

Council anger at missing bridge from Kai Tak plan
8 June 2007
Hong Kong Standard

A failure to include maps of a proposed bridge in the Kai Tak runway redevelopment caused uproar at the Kwun Tong District Council Thursday.

The maps were left out of documents presented to councillors when government engineers explained the plan for the redevelopment, which would begin in 2009.

Councillor Tang Chi-ho said a failure to include the bridge in plans would be tantamount to ``chopping the project into pieces''and presenting it in bits.

Councillor Poon Chun-yuen said that without the bridge there would be no direct connection between the runway park and inland.

Civil Engineering and Development Department chief engineer Yung Kin- man reassured the upset councillors, however, that his department is looking into building the bridge to connect a cruise ship terminal to Kwun Tong.

``There is no conspiracy to take it away. It has always been our plan to have the bridge,'' Yung said.

Plans being presented to councillors, Yung said, covered only advance infrastructure that is to be gazetted next month and, since the bridge is not a part of those works, it was not marked on the maps given to the councillors.

The government hopes to redevelop the old Kai Tak runway, with the first phase of the works to focus on expanding road networks and the sewage system, to be followed by building the runway park and the first berth of the cruise ship terminal.

But most councillors took the department to task for bringing the issue to them only this month, when it plans to gazette it next month with the blessing of the district council.

Yung apologized for not clarifying the matter from the start of the briefing.

He said that such a big project would usually be built in phases according to needs, so the first berth and the runway park would be next in line once the advance infrastructure was built.

When pressed for reassurances over the bridge, Yung said the Leisure and Cultural Services Department has already reserved space for the landing of the bridge.

Regarding a proposed heliport, he said the Town Planning Board is still considering it and has yet to do the environmental assessment.

Infrastructural works are expected to start at the beginning of 2009 and finish in 2011.

The first berth of the much hyped cruise ship terminal would be operational in 2012.

A second berth may be built and in operation after 2015, depending on market needs, the councillors were told.

The advanced infrastructure includes a 1.7-kilometer road from the cruise terminal along the runway leading straight into Kwun Tong.

Two intersections in Kowloon Bay, Wang Chiu Road and Sheung Yee Road, as well as Cheung Yip Street and Hoi Bun Road would be widened as, according to traffic analysis, these measures could ease congestion in the district as well as cater for an expected increase in traffic coming from the cruise terminal.

Sewage pumping stations and pipes would be built to channel sewage arising in the early stage of the Kai Tak development, to the nearby Kwun Tong Sewage Treatment Plant.

Department engineers said the two intersections were often congested and that the new traffic flow to and from the ship terminal would make things worse.

They hope the road widening could solve the two problems in one go.

Also, two existing mooring buoys near the end of the runway would be moved further down Kwun Tong offshore due to dredging work for the terminal. The outline zoning plan of the whole Kai Tak project was gazetted in November and is currently under the Town Planning Board's consideration.

Even though the whole uproar came from misunderstandings, Chan Chung- bun, chairman of the Kwun Tong District Council, said the bridge is very important to their commercial area and that he will meet with the Town Planning Board.

`` If the terminal couldn't connect with Kwun Tong I'm afraid Kwun Tong may become marginalized.''