Two global design and engineering companies with Hong Kong bases have been awarded infrastructure contracts worth close to HK$170 million (US$22 million), paving the way for the proposed ¡§green town¡¨ redevelopment of the former Kai Tak Airport site.
The infrastructure will serve a future community of 120,000 people in a planned 180-hectare (445 acres} development featuring parkland, environmental initiatives and community leisure and entertainment facilities based around the waterfront at Victoria Harbour. The proposal also includes new housing developments, schools and a railway.
The Territory Development Department (TDD) says the ¡§green town¡¨ concept reflects the Government¡¦s ongoing efforts to meet rising public aspirations for a better living environment.
The consultancies awarded to Ove Arup & Partners and Scott Wilson (Hong Kong) involve detailed design of the first infrastructure and reclamation works for the South East Kowloon Development project. They are a lead-up to the expected commencement late next year of the first phases of a HK$7 billion (US$900 million) redevelopment of the site.
Ove Arup & Partners will design and supervise the construction of the former airport¡¦s northern apron area, at a cost of HK$110 million (US$14 million). The blueprint calls for the demolition of the landmark Kai Tak passenger and carpark buildings, together with the formation of roads, drainage, open space and landscaping.
Ove Arup East Asia division chairman Andrew Chan described the ¡§green¡¨ measures proposed in the redevelopment as ¡§a new and exciting concept¡¨, which would be important to Hong Kong¡¦s future. ¡§As a company committed to sustainable development, we are particularly pleased to have the appointment for the first stage implementation of this exciting scheme.¡¨
The second contract worth HK$56 million (US$7 million), a joint venture between Ove Arup and Scott Wilson (Hong Kong), is for reclamation of the Kai Tak approach channel. It includes demolishing the former airport taxiway bridge across the channel and conducting tests to find the most suitable method of dealing with channel sediment.
Scott Wilson director Michael Chalmers said the testing involved a new process that had been tested and tried in the US, but not previously used in Hong Kong. Two further consultancies will be awarded later this year.
