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South China Morning Post
CITY3 |  CITY |  By Olga Wong and Joyce Ng         2008-11-13


Clean, green and friendly - new towns won't be modelled on the past        

The government will join landowners to develop three new towns in northeast New Territories to create low-carbon-producing communities, it says in a consultation paper to be discussed by the Town Planning Board tomorrow.

Citing the undesirable example of Tin Shui Wai - an isolated town which lacks employment opportunities and has been the site of several suicides - the government said plans for the new towns would be people-oriented. The paper, to be released for a one-month public consultation after the board gives its views, also proposes different forms of partnerships with landowners.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen, in his policy address delivered last year, said the government would press ahead with new developments in Kwu Tung North, Fanling North and an area covering Ping Che and Ta Kwu Ling.

The new developments, aimed at creating communities that will contain 180,000 people, were initiated in the 1990s but were shelved in 2003 as population growth and housing demand slowed.

The paper highlighted potential uses like mixed-residential developments, tertiary educational facilities and special industries. The Planning Department said the new towns would be no more than a quarter of the size of present similar towns and a low-carbon economy would be promoted.

Consideration would be given to treating sewage produced by the new towns for reuse, and rubbish recycling, renewable energy and non-fossil-fuel-based transport like walking, cycling and railway transport would also be encouraged.

Recreational and social facilities for non-working mothers and young people would be provided.

The department said the new towns would be integrated with developments in Lok Ma Chau Loop and the new border crossing at Heung Yuen Wai.

Given that most land in the area is privately owned, the government will propose eight models of public-private partnership to choose from. For example, landowners are encouraged to submit development proposals and set up a development company to participate in new projects.

In some models, private developers are allowed to amalgamate private land for development consistent with government plans. The government might also build a business park or technology park to attract more private investments in the new towns.

Frank Chan Shung-fai, chairman of Ta Kwu Ling District Rural Committee, said three types of non-polluting land use, including fashion outlets, medical tourism and a software centre, had emerged from discussions among villagers there.

Mr Chan said residents mainly preferred either selling their land to the government or submitting development proposals. Many of us want to contribute ideas and participate in the development, because our roots are here, he said.

Ng Mee-kam, associate professor in urban planning and design at University of Hong Kong, said local partnerships could help to avoid creating an isolated dead space, but to preserve community networks and raise sense of ownership.

According to the government, development plans will be drafted next year and detailed plans will be ready by 2010. The new towns are expected to be established by 2019. Copyright (c) 2008. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

塱原將成為古洞北新市鎮範圍

星島日報
A11 |  港聞         2008-11-13


古洞粉嶺坪輋業權人可獲股份政府擬「公私營」發展新市鎖        

政府早前落實在新界東北開拓「三合一」新市鎮，但原來區內可供發展的五成七土地，目前落在私人或發展商手上。規劃署認為，未來可考慮創新方法邀請私營機構參與建設新發展區，當中包括成立新發展公司，凡被收回土地的業權人可獲發股份，讓他們通過獲得股息在發展中得到收入；當局又會研究向被收回土地業權人發出證書，讓他們日後可競投「三合一」新市鎮內的土地。

記者：歐志軍

當局最新提供的資料顯示，計畫於古洞北、粉嶺北及和坪輋/打鼓嶺興建的新發展區，土地面積涉及一千公頃，當中七百七十五公頃屬可發展土地。規劃署表示，可供發展的土地之中，共有四百四十五公頃屬於私人土地；在古洞北、粉嶺北及坪輋/打鼓嶺的新發展區中，私人土地分別佔五成一、五成三及七成一。

設計「自給自足」

規劃署表示，跟昔日在填海土地發展新市鎮不同，在擬發展的新界東北新市鎮內，受影響的私人土地可能甚多，而過去在諮詢公眾時發現，一些土地業權人表示有興趣參與落實新發展區計畫，並有意按照本身所持業權，向政府提交發展建議。當局認為，可考慮創新方法推行發展區計畫，包括邀請私營機構參與。

根據海外及過往所得經驗，當局制定八個可行的私營機構參與發展概念(見表)，較為新穎的建議，包括成立新發展公司，讓凡被收回土地的業權人可獲發股份及每年可收取利息。規劃署表示，新發展區在設計上，日後必須「自給自足」，會包括街市、超級市場和基本消費品、醫生、律師、旅行社和地產代理等商業設施，根據天水圍等新市鎮經驗設計。

環保公共交通為主

當局又認為，新界東北新市鎮的規模將不超過一般新市鎮的四分之一，並可能會參照傳統的建築布局，採用梯級式高度布局，最高的建築物位於市中心。

另外，新發展區內日後會善用綠化機會，設計盡量鼓勵徒步、騎單車，甚至提供環保公共交通工具，如輕鐵、單軌鐵路和電氣化穿梭巴士，以盡量減少碳的排放。當局又會趁着發展新界東北新市鎮，強化和保育塱原及河上鄉生態，以及研究設立一條串穿老圍至小坑村的文物徑。