Press Releases
Year 2002
-
8 May 2002
URA welcomes Government's financial support
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today welcomes the financial support given by the Government to facilitate the implementation of its urban renewal programme. The decision of the Chief Executive in Council to approve in principle the granting of land sites to the URA at nominal premium for its new projects and rehousing needs will definitely enhance the financial viability of URA's projects. This shows the commitment and determination of the Government to speed up the pace of urban renewal. "Upon the approval of the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council on the injection of $10 billion into the URA, the Authority will take forward as swiftly as possible the urban renewal programme outlined in our first-year Business Plan and the five-year Corporate Plan," said Chairman of the
-
26 Apr 2002
Opening Ceremony of the Sham Shui Po Neighbourhood Centre
市區重建局的深水埗地區辦事處今日(四月二十六日)正式開幕,以加強與當地社區的聯繫及服務受重建項目影響的居民。 開幕儀式由市建局行政總監林中麟先生、市建局董事會成員兼市建局深水埗分區諮詢委員會主席陳麗雲教授和深水埗區議會主席譚國僑先生主禮。 陳教授致詞時說,深水埗是一個典型的舊區,樓宇相當殘舊、人口密集,以及缺乏休憩用地。長者人口比率高達百分之二十,為全港之冠。 她說,市建局在區內率先推行的福榮街╱福華街重建計劃,不但可以改善居民的生活質素及衞生環境,更可提供設計完善的休憩空間,供區內居民享用。她希望深水埗地區辦事處的設立,會加強市建局與居民的接觸,促進彼此的了解。 譚國僑主席表示,福榮街╱福華街重建計劃是首個由公營機構在深水埗區推行的重建項目,他對此表示歡迎。他並鼓勵居民與市建局雙方多作溝通,表達意見,以助計劃的順利推行。 出席開幕儀式的嘉賓,還有深水埗民政事務專員馮浩賢先生、市建局董事會成員林貝聿嘉女士、多位深水埗區議員、市建局深水埗分區諮詢委員會委員,以及市區重建社區服務隊的代表。 深水埗地區辦事處的開放時間為星期一至星期五上午八時四十五分至下午六時,及星期六上午八時四十五分至下午一時正,假期除外。諮詢電話為2729 8123。市建局其餘的地區辦事處電話為: 灣仔 2573 0638 大角嘴 2391 2992
-
25 Apr 2002
URA to build Hong Kong a better home
The Board of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (25 April 2002) endorsed the Vision and Mission statements of the Authority which have been put forward as the guiding principles after thorough deliberations among Board members and URA staff. "Our Vision is to create a quality and vibrant urban living environment in Hong Kong----a better home in a world-class city. To realise our Vision, our Mission is to act on our priorities with ingenuity and sensitivity, join forces with our partners and nurture our people," a URA spokesperson said. The priorities of the URA are: To accelerate redevelopment by replacing old buildings with new to provide a better living environment; To enable and encourage the rehabilitation of dilapidated buildings to prevent urban decay; To preserve by m
-
4 Apr 2002
Drawing competition on urban renewal
Winners of a drawing competition featuring urban renewal were today (April 4) awarded for their creativity and talent at a prize presentation ceremony by the Managing Director of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), Mr Billy Lam. Over 400 participants, aged between eight and 17, earlier took part in a drawing competition organised by the Authority to promote public interest in urban renewal, a spokesperson for the Authority said. Divided into children and youth sections, participants were asked to create an ideal facelift of an old district in their drawings. Champion of the Youth Section Yu Chi-fung said the new and old buildings of different colours in his work contrasted the old and redevelopment areas, underlining the importance of urban redevelopment. As an art student, he said he
-
29 Mar 2002
Mobile exhibition on urban renewal
An informative exhibition on urban renewal was staged in Wan Chai by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (Friday). The exhibition outlines in detail the new mandate of the URA, which includes carrying out redevelopment, revitalisation, preservation and rehabilitation in a caring and efficient manner. Through illustrations and pictures the development of the three projects in Sham Shui Po, Tai Kok Tsui and Wan Chai is vividly depicted in the display panels. The exhibition is first held in Tai Yau Shopping Arcade, Wan Chai from today to 31 March, and then it will move to the shopping arcade at Lai Kok Estate in Cheung Sha Wan on 6 to 7 April. It will then be staged in Hoi Fu Court in Mong Kok on 13 to 14 April and in Fortune Estate on 20 and 21 April. Photograph shows residents
-
28 Mar 2002
The URA welcomes approval of the Corporate Plan
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (28 March 2002) welcomes the approval of the five-year Corporate Plan and first-year Business Plan by the Financial Secretary. Expressing appreciation for the support given by the Government, the Chairman of the URA, Dr Lau Wah-sum said: "The URA will take forward the implementation of its Business Plan and the Corporate Plan in phases at full speed upon the endorsement of the funding arrangement by the Finance Committee of the Legislative Council. " Prior to the Financial Secretary's approval, the Authority has implemented three early launch projects in Sham Shui Po, Tai Kok Tsui and Wan Chai at an acquisition cost of about $1 billion. Purchase offer letters have been sent to the owners affected by these three projects today. Total project cost
-
28 Mar 2002
Opening of Wan Chai Neighbourhood Centre
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) has set up neighbourhood centres in Wan Chai, Tai Kok Tsui and Sham Shui Po to tie in with the implementation of early launch projects in these districts and to strengthen communication with the local communities. A neighbourhood centre is first opened in Wan Chai today (28 March), acting as a bridge between the affected residents and the Authority. Today's opening ceremony was officiated by URA Chairman Dr Lau Wah-sum and Wan Chai District Council Chairperson and URA District Advisory Committee Chairperson Mrs Peggy Lam. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Dr Lau said the neighbourhood centres served as effective channels through which the front-line staff of Authority could provide prompt assistance to residents. Mrs Lam said the setting up of neighbo
-
28 Mar 2002
Property acquisition of three early projects
The implementation of the three early launch redevelopment projects in Sham Shui Po, Tai Kok Tsui and Wan Chai has moved a major step forward today (28 March 2002) with the issue of offer letters by the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) to the owners concerned to purchase their properties by private agreements. Earlier, the Board of the URA has decided to adopt the Government policy of a seven-year-old flat as the basis for calculating the Home Purchase Allowance (HPA) payable to domestic owners. (See details in attached handout). The Authority estimates that about $1 billion will be spent on acquiring properties in the three projects. Total project costs (including development costs, interest, professional fees, etc) are about $2.6 billion. "The direct investment in the projects, toget
-
14 Mar 2002
Tender panel for three URA projects
The Board of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (14 March) approved the establishment of a tender panel and its terms of reference for implementing the Tsuen Wan Town Centre, Yeung Uk Road and Ka Wai Man Road projects. The panel will make recommendations to the URA Board on the shortlist of companies for invitation of tenders, the principal tender terms, the assessment criteria and the evaluation and award of tenders. The Authority earlier invited expressions of interest from the market and received very good response. A total of 29 companies indicated their interest in the three projects. The Authority is now in the process of finalising the basic terms of the tenders for these projects with a view to inviting competitive tenders as soon as possible. On the three early proje
-
9 Feb 2002
URA approved maintenance cost reimbursement scheme
The Board of the Urban Renewal Authority today (9 February) approved in principle a proposed trial scheme for Maintenance Cost Reimbursement for property owners affected by land acquisition in its early launch projects at Wan Chai, Tai Kok Tsui and Sham Shui Po. Describing the scheme as strictly ex-gratia in nature, an URA spokesperson said it was adopted to promote and encourage proper maintenance of buildings before redevelopment in order to ensure safety. The scheme will apply to registered owners whose properties are located within the three projects, who have agreed to sell their properties to the URA. The scheme will apply to works undertaken in response to statutory orders for maintenance and repairs made under the Buildings Ordinance, the Fire Safety (Commercial Premises) Or