Press Releases
Year 2002
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31 Jan 2002
URA submits draft Corporate Plan early next week
The Board of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (31 January) resolved to submit the URA's draft five-year Corporate Plan and Business Plan to the Financial Secretary early next week. At today's meeting, Members decided that it should be forwarded to the Financial Secretary for consideration after careful and thorough deliberations on the proposals. The URA will continue to work closely with the Government to take the Corporate Plan forward. The Board also endorsed the appointment of three social service teams to provide assistance and counselling services to residents affected by URA's three early projects in Sham Shui Po Tai Kok Tsui and Wan Chai. They reviewed the recommendation report of a selection panel of the Community Affairs and Public Relations Committee set up to co
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11 Jan 2002
The URA unveils first batch of projects
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today announced the implementation of three redevelopment projects, the first batch of a massive programme the URA has undertaken to improve the old urban area of Hong Kong. The three projects are Cherry Street in Tai Kok Tsui, Fuk Wing Street/Fuk Wa Street in Sham Shui Po and Johnston Road in Wan Chai. It is estimated that some 3,000 people, involving 1,100 households will be affected by these projects. Outlining details of the redevelopment programme at a media briefing, URA Managing Director Mr Billy Lam said the URA was established to take forward a comprehensive and holistic approach in urban renewal in Hong Kong. "With support from Government and co-operation from business partners, stakeholders and the affected community, the URA will work h
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8 Jan 2002
The URA meets residents' representatives on urban redevelopment
Over 40 residents' representatives of major redevelopment areas throughout the territory met the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) management this (Tuesday) afternoon to exchange views on urban renewal. Welcoming residents at the meeting, URA Managing Director Mr Billy Lam said the URA would strive to achieve its mandate, which included redevelopment, revitalisation, preservation and rehabilitation in partnership with the community. He said the URA attached great importance to the views of residents and would strengthen its tie with the local community through district advisory committees and social services teams. At the meeting, a wide range of issues were raised and discussed, including project implementation timetable, compensation and rehousing arrangements. Picture shows Mr Lam an
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7 Jan 2002
Urban Renewal Authority set up Four District Advisory Committees
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) announced today (January 7) the formation of four District Advisory Committees (DAC). Over 40 residents, district dignitaries and professionals/academics have been appointed to these DACs to offer advice to the Authority with a view to facilitating the smooth implementation of projects in the districts. In line with the demarcation of district administration, the URA Board has decided to set up seven DACs covering all urban districts and Tsuen Wan, an URA spokesperson said. To tie in with the development progress of urban renewal projects, the URA will first set up DACs in Wan Chai, Sham Shui Po, Yau Tsim Mong and Central and Western districts. The major responsibilities of these committees are to advise on issues relating to urban renewal, including
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28 Dec 2001
Sheung Wan Promenade
Come to Sheung Wan Promenade for an afternoon of fun where street activities such as singing, dancing, street performances are being arranged for your enjoyment. Or come for a relaxing and pleasant atmosphere. Between now and end of March 2002, the streets around Western Market will be closed to vehicular traffic between 11am to 7pm during Sundays and public holidays (except Chinese New Year and the Sunday immediately following the Chinese New Year). Street performances will normally take place between 1-5pm. Members of the public are welcomed to visit the promenade and enjoy the various interesting activities free of charge. People travelling on the MTR can get off at the Sheung Wan station via Exit B. The promenade is being co-organised by the Central and Western District Council, C
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21 Dec 2001
Sheung Wan to Light Up with Street Activities
A variety of street activities featuring handicraft display, acrobatics and magic shows, Christmas carols, music performance and mimes will be staged in Sheung Wan on the 23, 25 and 26 of December 2001 to greet the festive season. The event, entitled Sheung Wan Promenade, will be held in a designated area near the Western Market, a historic landmark in the district. Built in 1906, the Western Market is one of the rare examples of Edwardian architecture still in existence. It has become a shopping and cultural venue popular with local people and tourists since renovation. The programme will be staged on the portion of Morrison Street between Wing Lok Street and Des Voeux Road Central from 1 pm to 5.30 pm while the area will be pedestrianised between 11 am and 7 pm. Members of the pub
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22 Nov 2001
The URA Board approves property acquisition policy
The Board of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (Thursday) approved in principle the acquisition policy for owners as well as the compensation package for tenants affected by URA projects. The URA has decided to adopt the Government policy of a seven-year-old flat as the basis for calculating the Home Purchase Allowance payable to domestic owners after having carefully reviewed and considered views and comments by various sectors of the community, in particular, views expressed by the Legislative Council during the passage of the URA Ordinance. Under the policy, an owner is entitled to 100 per cent HPA for up to three flats occupied by himself or his immediate family. The URA will also offer an incentive for owner-occupiers and owners of tenanted flats to cover removal costs an
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3 Nov 2001
URA Brainstorming Session
The URA Board and management had a brainstorming session today (3 November) and exchanged constructive views on the URA Vision and Mission in the light of fulfilling its objectives in redevelopment, revitalisation, preservation and rehabilitation. The URA Board Members and management also had a good discussion on the five-year Corporate Plan during today's session. Many constructive views have been exchanged and various options have been examined. The URA management will further refine the Corporate Plan based on the discussion. Upon approval by the Board, the URA will submit its first Corporate Plan to the Financial Secretary. 3 November 2001
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12 Oct 2001
URA welcomes appointment of Mr Billy Lam as the Managing Director
The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today welcomed the appointment of Mr Billy Lam as the Managing Director of the URA with effect from 1 January 2002. Mr Lam has held various key positions during his 30 years of service with the Government, including his secondment to the Airport Authority as its Chief Executive Officer. "His extensive experience in public administration and corporate management will definitely be an asset to the URA, which is tasked to rejuvenate older urban areas by way of redevelopment, revitalisation, preservation and rehabilitation", said the URA Chairman Dr Lau Wah-sum. Dr Lau believed that Mr Lam, with his diversified background, would bring in new ideas and initiatives to facilitate implementation of the massive urban renewal programme by the URA. On his ap
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30 Aug 2001
Panel Report on the Allegations of Conflict of Interest Presented to the URA Board
The panel responsible for looking into the allegations of conflict of interest involving the Urban Renewal Authority's (URA) Chairman Dr Lau Wah-sum and Managing Director Mr Canice Mak presented its report to the URA Board at today's (30 August 2001) Board Meeting. Earlier, some press reports brought out that there might be a conflict of interest because Dr Lau Wah-sum and Mr Canice Mak were both shareholders of Sino Elite Limited, a company which owned a piece of farmland in Sai Kung. The panel consisted of three URA Board members including Ms Maria Tam Wai-chu as the chairperson, Professor Cecilia Chan Lai-wan and Mr Michael Lai Kam-cheung. The panel was set up at the request of the URA management in early August to look into the allegations of conflict of interest. The panel's report