Page 30 - Urban Renewal Authority 2023-24 Annual Report

OPERATING REVIEW

Sham Shui Po and Tsuen Wan District Studies
In response to the Government’s invitation in the 2021 Policy Address, the URA commenced the Sham Shui Po
District Study (SSPDS) and Tsuen Wan District Study (TWDS) in August and November 2022 respectively to
formulate comprehensive urban renewal strategies for the two old districts.

The study will draw up a long-term blueprint for the Tsuen
Wan old town area (above) and its surrounding areas (right) in
order to undertake urban renewal more effectively.

Based on a similar approach as the YMDS, the two studies aim to adopt a holistic “district-based” approach to
formulate a long-term development blueprint for the districts in the form of Master Renewal Plans (MRPs) to
tackle the issues of urban decay, identify restructuring opportunities, explore alternative initiatives to facilitate
private market participation and expedite the pace of urban renewal.

The SSPDS has a study area of approximately 130 hectares, while TWDS covers 236 hectares (comprising 79
hectares of Core Area, largely the Tsuen Wan old town area, and 157 hectares of Opportunity Area
encompassing a number of under-utilised sites with potential to provide solution spaces to support urban
renewal initiatives in the Core Area).

(Left) The URA organises workshops for the Sham Shui Po
District Study to understand aspirations of stakeholders on
urban renewal.
(Above) One of the objectives of the Shum Shui Po District
Study is to improve pedestrian environment in the district
through urban restructuring.

To date, baseline reviews for both studies have been completed, and key urban renewal opportunities and
constraints have also been identified. Stakeholders consultation through extensive surveys, interviews and
workshops were carried out to understand the specific concerns and aspirations of the stakeholders, including
property owners, tenants, professionals, and the broader community. These research and analyses will form the
basis to guide the preparation of the Planning and Urban Design Framework and formulation of the MRPs, with
different planning assumptions and timeframes to provide a blueprint for urban renewal in the future. Technical
assessments will be conducted for the MRPs. Comprehensive urban renewal strategies from the two studies are
expected to be ready by phases from the second half of 2024.

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