Page 64 - URA Annual Report 2020-21

CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY
Diversified Urban Space for Health and Happiness
Over the years, as far as practicable, the URA has endeavoured to include open space and community/ institutional areas in our moderate to large scale projects. Our redevelopment projects in various districts have provided easily accessible community and institutional facilities, including residential care homes for the elderly, youth centres, health centres, markets, cooked food centres and an indoor stadium to meet different needs of the residents. The highlight of the year would be the provision of the city’s first-of-its-kind indoor PTI facility in the Kwun Tong Town Centre Project, where passengers can enjoy more comfortable commuting (details covered on page 32 of the Operating Review).
For better utilisation of open space for public enjoyment, the URA continued its place-making initiatives to create synergies in the open spaces of its projects, as described on page 49 of the Operating Review.
Promoting Walkability
The URA puts much effort in creating walkable urban neighbourhood to improve the living quality of residents, and brings social benefits by easing the pressure on transport infrastructure, reducing car dependency, alleviating traffic congestion, and supporting the local economy and mixed communities. To this end, the concept of pedestrian priority must be embraced at all levels of planning and design in its projects to promote walkability. Redevelopment projects in Kowloon City and To Kwa Wan, launched under the district-based approach, envision to create a pedestrian-friendly and accessible neighbourhood through restructuring and replanning of the existing pedestrian and vehicular traffic network. The URA will continue to hasten efforts to cultivate a healthy and low-carbon neighbourhood and elevate the quality of life for the local community.
Through replanning and restructuring, the Kai Tak Road / Sa Po Road Project aims to rationalise land use, improve the pedestrian walking environment, and enhance walkability and connectivity between the old Kowloon City District and new Kai Tak District by proposing to build a sunken plaza.
60 URA ANNUAL REPORT 2020-21