The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) commenced the statutory planning procedures for two new redevelopment projects in Ma Tau Kok to improve the living environment of about 450 residents, giving an added impetus to facelift the district where building rehabilitation has been making significant progress over the years.
     The projects, though relatively small in size and being the first batch to be implemented in the district, will complement the voluntary building rehabilitation efforts initiated by the Authority in the area over the past three years covering some 90 buildings involving 7,200 flats.
     The two project sites, one located at Chi Kiang Street/ Ha Heung Road and the other at Pak Tai Street/ Mok Cheong Street, cover a total area of approximately 18,300 sq ft (1,700 sq m). Each is presently occupied by five buildings that were all built in the 1950's and are in a generally dilapidated condition. The buildings are mostly served by single staircases with no lifts and there are unauthorized structures causing concerns on safety and environmental hygiene. The URA's initial proposal is to redevelop the sites to provide about 210 residential units and 27,600 sq ft (2,560 sq m) of commercial floor area, scheduled for completion by 2014.
     Apart from the affected residents, the community would also benefit from the redevelopments. Both projects at Chi Kiang Street and Pak Tai Street would use building set-back design to facilitate pedestrian flow and introduce street greening. The former will even extend green landscaping beyond the project boundary to the nearby open area beneath the East Kowloon Corridor to soften the harshness of the oppressive and heavily trafficked environment. Adding construction and interest to the budget, the total development cost is estimated to reach HK$860 million.