Page 36 - Urban Renewal Authority 2023-24 Annual Report

OPERATING REVIEW

To tackle the problem of piecemeal sites with low redevelopment potentials, the URA will apply the transfer of
plot ratio (TPR) concept as recommended in YMDS via a linked site approach to optimise land utilisation of Site
A. To enhance street vitality and strengthen local characteristics, the URA will redevelop the four smaller sites in
Site A, which are located between Prince Edward Road West and Yuen Ngai Street, into public open spaces with
low-rise facilities for social gatherings and commercial activities after transferring their plot ratio to the larger site.
Additionally, the back lane linking Flower Market Road and Yuen Ngai Street will be revitalised and transformed
into the “Third Street” of the Flower Market, creating a new retail frontage for possible expansion of the local
floral businesses.
The planning procedure for YTM-013 is underway. The draft Development Scheme Plan (DSP) has been
submitted to the Town Planning Board (TPB) for consideration. The URA will accord to prevailing policies to
prepare the issuance of acquisition offers and compensation to the affected owners and tenants of Site A after
the approval of the DSP by the Chief Executive in Council (CE-in-C).

Progress of Ongoing Key Projects

Ming Lun Street/Ma Tau Kok Road Project (KC-018) and
To Kwa Wan Road/Ma Tau Kok Road Project (KC-019)
The two projects were commenced in October 2022 under a holistic plan to restructure and replan the land uses
of the area to improve the living environment and connectivity to the waterfront. KC-018 involves the
redevelopment of old and dilapidated buildings covering 101 street numbers in the “Five Streets” area, while
the adjoining KC-019 covers two industrial buildings. Under the plan, the “Five Streets” area, the two industrial
buildings and the nearby underused streets will be incorporated to optimise land uses to improve the local
streetscape, the overall living conditions, and the built environment in the old district.
To help realise the Government’s vision of enhancing the city’s harbourfront environment, the redevelopment
will allow a 20-metre-wide setback from the waterfront to create a vibrant space for the waterfront promenade
that will connect with a new housing estate under the Hong Kong Housing Society, the adjoining planned
waterfront promenade and the Kai Tak Sports Park. This will form part of the continuous waterfront at Kowloon
East to achieve the design objective of shaping a world-class harbourfront. In addition, an at-grade waterfront
plaza of at least 25 metres wide will be created between the residential blocks and the commercial podium to
enhance the visual appeal and walkability between the old districts and the waterfront promenade, while
providing space for on-street dining and shops.

To enhance the accessibility to the Kai Tak Development Area, the buildings facing To Kwa Wan Road will be set
back upon the completion of the projects to provide sufficient space for widening To Kwa Wan Road from four
lanes to six.
Approvals of the draft DSPs of both projects by TPB and CE-in-C were obtained respectively in December 2023
and June 2024. For the industrial building redevelopment project of KC-019, the URA has reviewed the policies
for acquiring property interests of the units to facilitate project implementation with the Board’s approval
obtained in June 2024.

Artist Impression
The two projects will create a waterfront plaza to enhance the walkability between To Kwa Wan Road and the
waterfront promenade.

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