Introduction
Tackling the problem of urban decay
1. At present, there are about 9 300 private buildings in the Metro Area (i.e. Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing) which are 30 years' old and above. In ten years' time, the number of buildings over 30 years' old will increase by 50%. The problem of ageing buildings is most serious in older urban areas.
2. To address the problem of urban decay and to improve the living conditions of residents in dilapidated urban areas, the Urban Renewal Authority Ordinance (Chapter 563) was enacted in July 2000. The Ordinance provides a new institutional framework for carrying out urban renewal. The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) was established on 1 May 2001.
Quality of life in our urban area
3. A "people-centred" approach should be used to carry out urban renewal. The purpose of urban renewal is to improve the quality of life of residents in the urban area. The Government has to balance the interests and needs of all sectors of the community without sacrificing the lawful rights of any particular group. The aim is to reduce the number of inadequately housed people.
4. The key principles underlying the Government's approach to urban renewal are -
(a) owners whose properties are acquired or resumed for the implementation of redevelopment projects should be offered fair and reasonable compensation;
(b) tenants affected by redevelopment projects should be provided with proper rehousing;
(c) the community at large should benefit from urban renewal; and
(d) residents affected by redevelopment projects should be given an opportunity to express their views on the projects.
5. The main objectives of urban renewal are -
(a) restructuring and replanning designated target areas;
(b) designing more effective and environmentally-friendly local transport and road networks;
(c) rationalizing land uses;
(d) redeveloping dilapidated buildings into new buildings of modern standard and environmentally-friendly design;
(e) promoting sustainable development in the urban area;
(f) promoting the rehabilitation of buildings in need of repair;
(g) preserving buildings, sites and structures of historical, cultural or architectural interest;
(h) preserving as far as practicable local characteristics;
(i) preserving the social networks of the local community;
(j) providing purpose-built housing for groups with special needs, such as the elderly and the disabled;
(k) providing more open space and community/welfare facilities; and
(l) enhancing the townscape with attractive landscape and urban design.
6. The Government aims to achieve the following targets through a 20-year urban renewal programme -
(a) redevelopment of some 2 000 ageing or dilapidated buildings;
(b) improvement of the environmental quality of 67 hectares of old and run-down urban areas;
(c) rehousing of some 27 000 tenant households;
(d) provision of around 60 000 m2 of open space;
(e) provision of about 90 000 m2 of floor space for use as community/welfare facilities; and
(f) provision of seven new schools.
7. Urban renewal is not a "slash and burn" process. A comprehensive and holistic approach should be adopted to rejuvenate older urban areas by way of redevelopment, rehabilitation and heritage preservation.
Tackling the problem of urban decay
1. At present, there are about 9 300 private buildings in the Metro Area (i.e. Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing) which are 30 years' old and above. In ten years' time, the number of buildings over 30 years' old will increase by 50%. The problem of ageing buildings is most serious in older urban areas.
2. To address the problem of urban decay and to improve the living conditions of residents in dilapidated urban areas, the Urban Renewal Authority Ordinance (Chapter 563) was enacted in July 2000. The Ordinance provides a new institutional framework for carrying out urban renewal. The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) was established on 1 May 2001.
Quality of life in our urban area
3. A "people-centred" approach should be used to carry out urban renewal. The purpose of urban renewal is to improve the quality of life of residents in the urban area. The Government has to balance the interests and needs of all sectors of the community without sacrificing the lawful rights of any particular group. The aim is to reduce the number of inadequately housed people.
4. The key principles underlying the Government's approach to urban renewal are -
(a) owners whose properties are acquired or resumed for the implementation of redevelopment projects should be offered fair and reasonable compensation;
(b) tenants affected by redevelopment projects should be provided with proper rehousing;
(c) the community at large should benefit from urban renewal; and
(d) residents affected by redevelopment projects should be given an opportunity to express their views on the projects.
5. The main objectives of urban renewal are -
(a) restructuring and replanning designated target areas;
(b) designing more effective and environmentally-friendly local transport and road networks;
(c) rationalizing land uses;
(d) redeveloping dilapidated buildings into new buildings of modern standard and environmentally-friendly design;
(e) promoting sustainable development in the urban area;
(f) promoting the rehabilitation of buildings in need of repair;
(g) preserving buildings, sites and structures of historical, cultural or architectural interest;
(h) preserving as far as practicable local characteristics;
(i) preserving the social networks of the local community;
(j) providing purpose-built housing for groups with special needs, such as the elderly and the disabled;
(k) providing more open space and community/welfare facilities; and
(l) enhancing the townscape with attractive landscape and urban design.
6. The Government aims to achieve the following targets through a 20-year urban renewal programme -
(a) redevelopment of some 2 000 ageing or dilapidated buildings;
(b) improvement of the environmental quality of 67 hectares of old and run-down urban areas;
(c) rehousing of some 27 000 tenant households;
(d) provision of around 60 000 m2 of open space;
(e) provision of about 90 000 m2 of floor space for use as community/welfare facilities; and
(f) provision of seven new schools.
7. Urban renewal is not a "slash and burn" process. A comprehensive and holistic approach should be adopted to rejuvenate older urban areas by way of redevelopment, rehabilitation and heritage preservation.