****************************************
The following is issued on behalf of the Housing Authority:
The Chairman of the Housing Authority (HA), Ms Eva Cheng, visited the Kai Tak Development Area and Choi Fook Estate in Kowloon East today (July 28) to keep herself updated on the public rental housing (PRH) project and to understand the living environment of public housing tenants in the area.
Ms Cheng first visited the large PRH project at Kai Tak, which has green coverage of 30 per cent.
Located at the north apron of the former Kai Tak Airport, the PRH development comprises two sites. Site 1A covers 3.47 hectares and will produce about 5 200 flats scheduled for completion by early 2013. Site 1B covers 5.7 hectares and will provide about 8 100 flats scheduled for completion in three phases from 2013 onwards. The two sites in total will provide a green living environment in the urban area for nearly 34 000 people.
Embracing the green concept, the Kai Tak PRH project has adopted a number of environmental features such as a photo-voltaic system utilising renewable energy, energy-efficient light fittings and a rainwater harvesting and plant irrigation system.
Recycled materials have also been widely used for construction works. These innovative moves include the use of marine mud excavated from the site mixed with small amount of cement for in-situ backfilling and for production of pavers. These initiatives can avoid the disposal of marine mud by dumping and land filling. Emission of CO2 created by transportation for dumping can also be eliminated.
The green treatment of marine mud for in-situ backfilling initiated by the HA has been awarded the Champion Environmental Paper by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers.
Other green initiatives include establishing on-site concrete-batching plants and the adoption of prefabricated components such as precast bathrooms and kitchens, facades and staircases. These arrangements can streamline work procedures and reduce raw material wastage by a substantial amount.
The Kai Tak PRH project occupies a prime location and is well connected with the neighbouring areas by public transportation and footbridges. It is within only a 10-minute walk from the future Kai Tak Station of the Shatin-Central Link.
Ms Cheng then visited a retired couple at Choi Fook Estate in Ngau Tau Kok. They told Ms Cheng that their living environment had improved significantly after they moved into the estate from their old tenement flat at Ma Tau Wai. The two 70-year-olds made a special commendation on the barrier-free facilities in the estate, which they said had rendered tremendous convenience to their daily life. Conveniently connected by minibuses and the MTR station, the new home has made "aging in place" possible for the couple. They were allocated the existing PRH unit in less than two years under the Elderly Priority Scheme as both of them were over 60 when they submitted their application.
Ends/Thursday, July 28, 2011
Issued at HKT 20:12
NNNN
