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The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority:
The Building Committee of the Housing Authority (HA) today (January 22) endorsed the revitalisation scheme of Ping Shek Estate, a 40-year-old estate in Kowloon East. The scheme will enhance the living environment of the community comprising tenants of different age groups.
"The Housing Department has chosen Ping Shek Estate to pilot a revitalisation scheme after it has been confirmed structurally safe under the Comprehensive Structural Investigation Programme. We hope that through various improvement works, Ping Shek Estate will be revitalised and the enhanced estate amenities will be conducive to fostering community bonding among tenants of different age groups," the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Stephen Yip Moon-wah, said after the meeting.
"With an estimated budget of $135 million, the scheme emphasises functional improvement of estate facilities taking into account tenants' activity patterns. The scheme is cost-effective and will enhance the sustainability of Ping Shek Estate," added Mr Yip.
The department will bring the estate provisions and amenities closer to the standard of newly built public rental housing estates. The scheme design features a new main entrance linked with barrier-free access to improve connectivity, a covered stage at the central event plaza for holding festive and community functions, recreational facilities for aged tenants, and a retrofitted green roof for the market. Moreover, the market, shops, lift lobbies of domestic blocks and the external facades will be renovated, while corridors in the common areas will be progressively equipped with energy-efficient lighting systems.
To suit the specific needs of elderly or disabled tenants, the department will also install grab rails, ramps and replace laundry racks inside the domestic flats.
Commencing early next year (2011) at the earliest, the scheme is expected to complete by 2013. In addition to the new initiatives under the revitalisation scheme, other established and separately budgeted improvement works, such as structural repair and new lift towers for the lower blocks, are in the pipeline and will commence within the year.
"Apart from improving the hardware of the estate, the revitalisation scheme is putting much emphasis on enhancing the communal "heartware" for the estate. The department will identify more space for communal use so that tenants may socialise and enjoy each other's company in a caring neighbourhood," said Mr Yip.
For this purpose, some vacant shops will be converted into a multi-purpose activity centre where tenants can get together and join activities such as health talks and Chinese herbalist consultations run by charity organisations.
The department will also enlist the support of other government departments, such as the Social Welfare Department, Home Affairs Department, non-governmental organisations and voluntary agencies in the district in identifying further opportunities to provide multi-faceted communal services that would meet the needs of tenants of different ages.
Built in the 70s, Ping Shek Estate provides housing for about 12,000 people. The estate can be retained for at least 15 years upon completion of the scheme. This pilot scheme will provide a good reference for other estates which will come under the Estate Improvement Programme.
Ends/Friday, January 22, 2010
Issued at HKT 15:59
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