Yesterday the legislative committee of Planning, Lands and Engineering Affairs discussed the latest remmendation on the Southeast Kowloon Development Strategy. The report suggested that the land preivously for the use of Kai Tak airport would be designated as a residental area for private residential courts and public housing estates. It is expected that the new residental area would shelter 200,000 population, including the displaced residents affected by the clearance at the same district. Moreover, a new sport stadium which can provide seats for between 40,000 and 50,000 users is proposed; Next year the government will apply to the legislative council for an allocation of money.

The latest report suggests a lot of recommendation which is different from the previous one. The most controversial issue is the location of a waste transfer station and public XXX station. Under the strong public criticism, the government concedes to choose a new site for those development projects. The Territory Development Department has decided that the new site will be Kwun Tong Typhoon Shelter. Still some legislative councilors question if changing sites for those development projects would not create a poor environment for another residential courts, although it can help relieve the anxiety of Laguna's residents now. Also, the government is considering to build a heliport on a new ferry habour in avoiding further public criticism.

To alleviate the development density around the Metropolitan Park, the Territory Development Depatment is reviewing this issue and has yet to disclose any information on the degree of reduced density. Legislative councilors believe that the government intends to lower the residential population density to create a green area surrounding the Metropolitan Park.

As regards transportation, the report mentions that several modes of transportation system such as road transport and Mass Transit Railway are proposed on the land preivously for Kai Tak Airport. The Territory Development Department promised that the pedestrian network would be improved in creating multiple linkages to Mass Transit Railway stations. Regarding road transportation, the government is going to conduct a public consultation on the network of a public transport transfer; it is expected that the public transport transfer can let passangers easily access nearby Mass Transit Railway stations.

The article is translated from the original one published in Hong Kong Economic Journal