Latest news with #TownPlanningBoard
South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong urged to turn Hung Hom waterfront into city's answer to Cannes, Monaco
Hong Kong authorities have been urged to model the proposed Hung Hom waterfront project after Cannes and Monaco to help drive the city's mega-event economy, as some town planning advisers have questioned plans for more commercial facilities amid a high vacancy rate. Members of the Town Planning Board raised their concerns at the statutory body's meeting on Friday as the Development Bureau briefed advisers about its plan to turn 24 hectares (59 acres) in Hung Hom into a landmark waterfront featuring a yacht marina and a skyscraper. Roger Chan Chun-kwong, a board member and division head at the PolyU Hong Kong Community College, said the government could learn from overseas economies that hold mega-events along the harbourfront. 'We can try to explore and take reference from Cannes and Monaco in using their waters in organising some high-quality international mega-events. The harbourfront can serve as a catalyst to promote other developments in Hong Kong,' he said, citing the Cannes Film Festival and Formula One Monaco Grand Prix as examples. 'The government can be bolder and more creative to link up the harbourfront with existing and future activities so that Hong Kong can become a mega-event capital.' Member Kelly Chan Yuen-sau, who is an accountant by profession, added that the government could consider holding international dragon boat races in Hung Hom and organising regular shows as well as programmes in the area. Other members also suggested featuring more open space at the marina to hold exhibitions and events, and developing maintenance facilities for yachts, while ensuring public access to the venue.
South China Morning Post
22-02-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong developer will return part of wetland site to government management: report
A Hong Kong developer behind a controversial public housing estate at a major wetland will return part of the site with ecological value to the government and provide one-off funding for long-term conservation, according to an environmental impact assessment report. The 11.6-hectare (28.7-acre) development site is located in Nam Sang Wai and Lut Chau, a wetland area in northwest New Territories. The former is considered ecologically important and serves as a stopover for migratory birds, while the latter is near Mai Po nature reserve. The controversial development plan, part of the government's Northern Metropolis blueprint, aims to offer 2,521 residential homes, including 140 houses and 2,381 flats in 28 blocks. It was approved by the Town Planning Board in 2021 with conditions. Nam Sang Wai Development proposed a 'Balanced Master Plan for Responsive Conversation' aimed at a zero net loss in wetland function and area. It said 154.4 hectares of enhanced wetland would be provided in a few years and added to the protected wetland network. The report on the plan's environmental impacts, conducted by consultancy firm Mott MacDonald Hong Kong and released on Friday, said the developer intended to fulfil rules on the public-private partnership scheme in completing the wetland enhancement works. 'The requirements ... are that, inter alia, (i) a lump sum contribution be made to the government, and (ii) the conservation portion be surrendered to the government for management by the government,' the report read, adding that the government would be responsible for long-term conservation works.
