URBAN RENEWAL IN HONG KONG

Hong Kong, like most developed cities, faces a formidable problem of aging buildings and urban decay. Some quarters of our community are living or operating in rundown areas which are in dire need of urban regeneration and environmental improvement.

The Government set up the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) in 2001 with a mission to create quality and vibrant living in Hong Kong – a better home in a world-class city. The Government also published an Urban Renewal Strategy (URS) to provide broad policy guidance to the work of URA.

URA's Work & Achievements

For the past seven years, URA has adopted a "4R" strategy, i.e. Redevelopment, Rehabilitation, Revitalisation and pReservation to regenerate our urban areas.

So far, URA and its strategic partner, Hong Kong Housing Society, have –

In addition, URA has –

About 20,000m² of public open space and about 55,000m² of government/community/welfare facilities, e.g. youth centre and residential home for elderly would also be made available upon completion of the 35 redevelopment projects.

URA, in collaboration with the Development Bureau and the Wan Chai District Council, has adopted a district-based approach to revitalise the older parts of Wan Chai.

URA also recently announced its Conservation Strategy with a view to preserving additional 48 pre-war verandah-type shophouses in the coming years.

More information on the work of the URA can be obtained from its Annual Report 2007/08 and the LegCo panel paper reporting on the work of the URA in 2007/08.