URA to spend HK$500 million renovating 4 older areas of Hong Kong, with focus on preventive maintenance of ageing buildings
- Urban Renewal Authority to focus on Kowloon City, Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po, among other areas, over five years
- It aims to use Kowloon City as test bed for ‘integration strategy’ combining building rehabilitation, redevelopment, conservation and revitalisation
A total of HK$500 million (US$63.7 million) is to be invested in a massive redevelopment of four areas of Hong Kong over the next five years, the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) has said.
URA managing director Wai Chi-sing said the aim of the plan was to integrate new developments with older buildings.
Wai explained the authority would use the cash to renovate buildings, revitalise neighbourhoods and improve the design of public spaces, as well as to promote preventive maintenance in older areas, including Kowloon City, Yau Ma Tei, Mong Kok and Sham Shui Po.
He added the authority would also provide financial incentives to landlords to encourage them to carry out maintenance and preventive care on their own, alongside existing subsidies and technical support.
Many older buildings were built with reinforced concrete and, if left without proper management and maintenance, would last little longer than 50 years.