Latest news with #UrbanRenewal
South China Morning Post
6 days ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Hong Kong's URA may review compensation cuts for residents affected by redevelopment
Hong Kong's cash-strapped Urban Renewal Authority (URA) may review its policy to reduce compensation to residents affected by redevelopments, its new chief has said, as the organisation faces rising financial challenges. URA managing director Donald Choi Wun-hing said on Friday in his first meeting with the media that it was an appropriate time to review the current compensation package. Residential flat owners receive the cash equivalent of the market price of a comparable seven-year-old flat in the same district under the current arrangement. 'We have room to discuss and review the compensation arrangement,' Choi said, adding that there should be flexibility for adjustments. He cited offering cross-district resettlement with new land granted by the government in Tseung Kwan O as one of the examples. The government last month made a rare move of granting the URA two land parcels in Hung Hom and Tseung Kwan O to provide extra financial help for its projects, under the conditions that the authority had to undertake urban redevelopment in a financially sustainable manner, 'irrespective of market ups and downs'.
Free Malaysia Today
03-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Protect Malay residential quotas, S'gor Umno Youth says on URA
Selangor Umno Youth chief Imran Tamrin said a special committee has been set up to discuss and provide feedback on the URA. SHAH ALAM : Umno Youth's Selangor chapter has urged the federal government to outline a specific ratio for Malay residents in any development under the contentious Urban Renewal Act (URA). Its chief Imran Tamrin said the youth wing in the state had established a special committee to discuss and provide feedback on the URA. 'We are concerned about the ongoing debate on the URA, particularly topics related to the interests and position of the Malays and Bumiputeras in urban areas. 'We call for a clear guarantee to be included in the amendment to the URA that provides protection to the composition of Malay and Bumiputera population in any development made under the URA,' he said in a press conference at the Selangor Umno building yesterday. Imran said he supported the idea of urban renewal, especially in terms of improving the quality and facilities of urban low-cost flats. However, he said a legal guarantee was needed in the proposed URA to protect Malay and Bumiputera holdings. 'A low-cost flat usually has five storeys and the residents are mostly Malays, but if it's redeveloped under the URA, it might become a building with 20 to 30 storeys. 'Our Housing Development Act only stipulates that around 30% of the units should be allocated to the Malays (or Bumiputeras), meaning that 70% of the new units are for the open market. This might dilute the overall Bumiputera holding in the area,' he said. The URA is a proposed law that would allow the redevelopment of land without the consent of all its owners. The bill is expected to be tabled in the next parliamentary session between July and August. Spearheaded by the housing and local government ministry, the proposed legislation has been touted by its minister, Nga Kor Ming, as necessary to replace outdated laws and regulations governing the redevelopment of dilapidated urban areas. However, opponents argue that it will displace poorer citizens who may be unable to continue living in the area once it is redeveloped. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said the Act would not force property owners to give up their homes or alter the ethnic composition of residential areas, contrary to allegations by PAS deputy president Tuan Ibrahim Tuan Man that it is aimed at pushing the poor Malays and Indians out of urban areas.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
District 7 candidates debate land use, White Stadium at Boston forum
Nine candidates seeking to replace Boston District 7 City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson discussed a number of community issues during a virtual forum Thursday night. But the one issue that remained unsaid during the nearly three-hour forum was the reason Fernandes Anderson's seat is open — her conviction on federal corruption charges. The event, held on Zoom, was organized by the District 7 Advisory Council, a group formed by Fernandes Anderson to lead community efforts and create policies that benefit the area. Despite the elephant in the room, the candidates who participated in Thursday's forum largely praised Fernandes Anderson's work on the City Council, particularly her engagement with District 7 residents and her work increasing citizen participation in the city budget process. 'One thing that I appreciate, and many of the residents appreciate, from Councilor Fernandes is the approach she brought to educating everyone on the budget, but also the funding sources, like where the money comes from, for different projects,' Samuel Hurtado said. 'The residents felt that they were now ... more knowledgeable and more empowered to fight for our priorities.' Said Abdikarim, Mavrick Afonso, Said Ahmed, Miniard Culpepper, Hurtado, Jerome King, Roy Owens Sr., Wawa Bell and Tchad Cort participated in Thursday's forum. Five other candidates—Natalie Juba-Sutherland, Joao Gomes DePina, James Grant, Shawn Dwayne Nelson and Robert Stanley — are also running for the seat and returned nomination papers to be placed on the ballot. It is the largest field of candidates for any Boston city office in the 2025 election. One of the predominant issues in the discussion was the use of city-owned land for future development, particularly for housing. Multiple candidates said that much of the city-owned land in District 7 was taken by eminent domain during the 1960s Urban Renewal movement, which primarily affected families of color. Culpepper and Bell specifically called out Fernandes Anderson's 2022 proposal for a moratorium on the development of this land for housing, saying they would continue to support such an effort to get more community input about the future of the land. 'If you're not taking into account that the land that was stolen from families ... you're doing a disservice to the community,' Bell said. Another major topic of discussion was the redevelopment of White Stadium in Franklin Park. The project has been criticized by a vocal group of residents for its high cost and the fact that the city is partnering with a new professional women's soccer team that will share the Boston Public Schools facility. While some candidates were more strongly opposed to the project itself, all of them agreed that the city should have had more conversations with the community to ensure that the redevelopment was beneficial for all. Ahmed, who ran track for BPS and later became a coach, said the stadium was very special to him, but he believes the aging structure did need to be rebuilt. 'However, there were a lot of missed opportunities,' he said. 'Some community members feel that they didn't get a voice. ... I want to make sure we utilize that facility and make sure it stays in the hands of Boston Public Schools.' Fernandes Anderson attended the Zoom call Thursday evening and spoke at the end of the forum to thank the candidates for participating and the organizers for hosting it. She also participated in the discussion, repeating the questions asked or adding her own comments. At times, she disagreed with the candidates, particularly about the work the District 7 Advisory Council had done. On one occasion, when Afonso said he would add new subcommittees to the council, she wrote, 'That exists.' After Tchad Cort suggested adding a student representative to the council, Fernandes Anderson noted that one of those subcommittees was a 'youth group' and said she was 'looking forward to helping with passing on the baton." 'Great minds think alike,' she said on camera at the end of the event. Fernandes Anderson was arrested in December on charges that she ran a kickback scheme with a family member whom she employed in her City Hall office. She admitted to using public funds to help with her own financial struggles. She pleaded guilty earlier this month. Though Fernandes Anderson has indicated she would resign, she has not yet stepped down. After her sentencing, scheduled for July 29, Fernandes Anderson's seat is expected to remain vacant until a new councilor is elected in November. District 7 voters will narrow down the field of candidates in the Sept. 9 preliminary election before selecting the next councilor on Nov. 4. MIT announces plans to wind down DEI office, eliminate equity VP job Arrested by ICE? Witness an arrest? These are your rights Harvard commencement speaker says it's fitting to 'hear from an immigrant like me' Poll: Trump's approval is soaring with this group of voters Many foreign students already fleeing Harvard University due to Trump order Read the original article on MassLive.
West Australian
28-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Land developer Nigel Satterley a finalist in the West Australian of the Year awards
Land developer Nigel Satterley has been nominated in the West Australian of the Year awards, after building a property empire that has helped house one in every 10 locals. As the country's largest privately owned residential land developer, Satterley has sold 130,000 blocks of land, primarily in WA, accommodating an estimated 338,000 people, or more than 10 per cent of West Australians. The land sits within 225 master-planned communities, which have won more than 100 awards, including the United Nations World Habitat Award for the Urban Renewal. But the big figures do not impress Mr Satterley as much as the country-town feel he tries to create in each community. It is, in his view, the best thing about life in Perth. 'It's a great place to live, like a big country town,' he said. Mr Satterley grew up the Wheatbelt town of Cunderdin, learning the ropes of small business from his parents, who ran a garage and tow-truck business and Good Year tyre distributorship. He attended boarding school in Perth, but says he was an 'average' student. His teachers recommended to his parents that they finish his tuition at the end of Year 10 at Governor Stirling High. 'They told my parents they would be wasting their money if I were to go to the fourth year of high school,' he said from his Peppermint Grove mansion. 'They said he would be better off getting a job.' His first job was selling textiles. Following in the distributorship footsteps of his parents, he jumped at the opportunity to distribute Levi's jeans — a staple which he continues to wear to this day. But when taking his earnings to the Town & Country Bank, he got to know founder James McCusker, who suggested he get into property. He started Statesmen Homes, which he later expanded to include land development, with his company going on to create estates across WA, Queensland and Victoria. But his career - which led to riches of more than $500 million- has been about more than land. Mr Satterley said one of the greatest battles involved a concerted effort from key businessmen, such as himself, and the then State government, to fight the Federal government for a fairer share of the GST. He said the group of businessmen met with then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull to press WA's case, and also paid for some research to back up the fight. His latest fight is to lobby the Government to allow businesses to provide health insurance to key staff, without subjecting it to fringe benefits tax. Similar to the US system, he claims it will take a lot of pressure off the State to ensure a better healthcare system. 'I think business can afford this, and health agencies like HBF will like it,' he said. On the philanthropic front, he has been donating 5 per cent of his pre-tax income to charity for decades, including the block of land he has been donating for the Telethon home for the past 50 years. In 2023, he became only the third West Australian inducted into the Property Council Hall of Fame. Other finalists in the business category of the award are Dr Neale Fong and James Giumelli. The winner will be announced on Thursday.
Malay Mail
25-05-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Accused of driving Malays from cities under guise of urban renewal, Nga Kor Ming says it's about rescuing the poor
KUALA LUMPUR, May 25 — Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming denies claims that the Urban Renewal Bill will push urban Malays out of the cities. The minister has been on the receiving end of a firing squad that has taken aim against the proposed law to redevelop ageing buildings and improve living conditions – especially for low-income urban communities – and which has at times, turned into a personal attack. 'These are all slanderers with nothing better to do. 'They say the original residents will be kicked out — this is all falsehood,' Nga told Malay newspaper Mingguan Malaysia in an interview published today. He was also asked, point black, if the proposal was a subtle eviction of Malays. 'No. What do I gain by evicting people? Developers prefer buying their own land – it's faster and cheaper than negotiating endlessly with residents. 'Buildings, like people, have a lifespan. Wiring doesn't last forever. We're not obligated to help, but as part of the Madani Government, we sincerely want to help,' he replied. He highlighted that just as the country will mark 70 years of independence in 2027, buildings, like people, age. Some buildings, Nga said, are so unsafe that people sleep outside in dangerous conditions. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the proposed Urban Renewal Act is not an attempt at evicting the Malays but rescuing urban poor communities. — Bernama pic 'I did an expedition with MPs and the media. Some people sleep beside their houses, with pythons. Can you accept this?' he asked in the interview. The minister emphasised that redevelopment under the proposed Urban Renewal Act is designed to help, not displace residents. 'I already asked DBKL to give them PPR application forms for free. But why are Opposition parties blocking them from getting help?' he asked. DBKL refers to the Kuala Lumpur City Hall while PPR refers to the People's Housing Programme in Malay. Nga said the government plans to reduce the requirement for redevelopment consent from 100 per cent to 80 per cent — a move aligned with global best practices. 'In Tokyo it's 66 per cent. In Shanghai, two-thirds. Even in Singapore it's 80 per cent,' he pointed out. He added that land ownership and legal statuses will remain untouched. 'If your house is on Malay reserve land, then it remains Malay reserve. If it's a 99-year leasehold, it remains a 99-year leasehold.' Compensation, he said, will always be higher than current property values, based on official assessment by the Valuation and Property Services Department. 'We are not taking homes. We are offering compensation, and it must be more than the existing value,' he was quoted as saying Nga cited Kampung Kerinchi in Kuala Lumpur as an example of successful renewal. He noted that the old PPR flats had measured about 400 square feet and was worth about RM70,000. But after renewal, each flat unit more than doubled their size to 850 square feet, could accommodate three rooms and could be priced more than six-fold, about RM450,000. Nga urged Malaysians not to fall for racial rhetoric surrounding the Bill. 'If there are Opposition parties playing the race card, this is the biggest lie in the history of human civilisation. 'Usually, only bankrupt political parties with no ideas will resort to racial sentiments,' he told the weekend edition of Utusan Malaysia.
