SKYLINE News Briefing -28 February 2006

Does this remind any old china hands of the construction period in Hong Kong back in the early 90's?

Does anyone remember when the standard joke was that "Hong Kong would be a very nice place once they finally finished building it"? How many of you in the construction sector can recall when every inch of the city seemed to be exploding in uncontrolled "progress"?

A recent headline in the Gulf News was “ Palm Development caused fish deaths, say officials”. Apparently large numbers of dead fish are now washing up on the beach in Sharjah further up the coast, and the officials there are blaming it on developments in Dubai namely the two Palms and the “World”, all three massive reclamation projects. But as little or no water modelling was undertaken, (or rather the developer “consultant-shopped” until they found an agreeable EIA report) Dubai’s coastal marine environment is now collapsing, and the luxury villas bought by the likes of David Beckham will look out on a still and fetid Sargasso sea when they are finally finished.

Enter Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman of Nakheel developers, who predictably asserts that “on the contrary, the Palm islands have created a suitable and beautiful environment for marine life and for fish”. Hmmm, this would seem like Deja Vu for any environmentalist involved in the HK Airport reclamation works.

This is ontop of the road traffic troubles that Dubai is now also said to be facing. In general the rate of high rise building construction has far exceeded the rate of road network improvements. As a result it is now possible to sit in an hour long traffic jam when simply trying to cross from one end of the city to the other.

It has already become a trend that a lot of Hong Kong's highly capable construction community are departing for Dubai. HK Government initiated infrastructure projects have most certainly come to an end for the time being.

All just food for thought. Here are a few fantastic photographs of the Dubai skyline viewed through a recent fog, drifting in from the sea. The Gulf News reported that there were two road accidents a minute during the morning rush hour, including a serious one where a pickup charged down the wrong lane of a motorway.

These pictures were taken from the Emirates Towers 33rd floor.

Start made on Olympic equestrian sites
QUINTON CHAN , SCMP 27 February 2006

Construction work for the 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events gets under way
at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling. Picture by Martin Chan

Work on constructing equestrian facilities for the 2008 Olympics has started in Fanling, and the government will this week announce the launch of a company to organise the event.

Developer applications piling up, tycoon warns
FOSTER WONG , SCMP 27 February 2006
Property tycoon Cheng Yu-tung yesterday lashed out at the government for dragging its feet in approving developers' applications after the controversy over the Grand Promenade project in Sai Wan Ho.

Resumption of land for urban renewal projects in Tai Kok Tsui gazetted
Hong Kong Government, 24 February 2006
The Lands Department today (February 24) announced the resumption of land for two redevelopment projects of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) in Larch Street/Fir Street and Pine Street/Anchor Street, Tai Kok Tsui.

16 draft Outline Zoning Plans amended
Hong Kong Government, 24 February 2006
The Town Planning Board today (February 24) announced amendments to 16 draft Outline Zoning Plans (OZPs).

Approved Kowloon Tong Outline Zoning Plan amended
Hong Kong Government, 24 February 2006
The Town Planning Board today (February 24) announced amendments to the approved Kowloon Tong Outline Zoning Plan (OZP).

Tender invited for Tai Wai Maintenance Centre property development project
KCRC Press Release, 24 February 2006
Invitations have been sent to the shortlisted developers today to invite submissions of tender for the Kowloon-Canton Railway Corporation’s (KCRC’s) Tai Wai Maintenance Centre property development project by 12:00 noon on 17 March 2006.

Government sets up consultative committee to push ahead cultural district
Hong Kong Government, 22 February 2006
The Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Rafael Hui, announced today (February 21) the setting up of a consultative committee to confirm the need for core arts and cultural facilities in the West Kowloon Cultural District (WKCD) based on public views, as an important step to consolidate past efforts for taking forward the Cultural District in full speed.

The roof caves in on culture hub dream
MAY CHAN , SCMP 22 February 2006

Lord Foster’s now-scrapped vision for West Kowloon. After 7-1/2 years and hundreds
of millions of dollars, West Kowloon project is back on drawing board - minus the
canopy. Reuters photo

The future of the massive West Kowloon arts hub plan is uncertain after the shortlisted developers baulked and the government announced a fundamental rethink of the project.

CS'transcript on West Kowloon Cultural District Development
Hong Kong Government, 21 February 2006
Following is the transcript of remarks (English portion) by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Rafael Hui, at a media session on the West Kowloon Cultural District Development at the West Wing lobby, Central Government Offices this (February 21) afternoon:

Dickson owes $17m, subcontractors say
JASMINE WANG , SCMP 17 February 2006

Subcontractors protest against delayed payments by Dickson Construction
outside the Architectural Services Department. Picture by Robert Ng

More than 70 Dickson Construction subcontractors and their employees protested outside the Architectural Services Department yesterday, asking the government to help get money owed to them.

Department takes over 3 flat projects
MAY CHAN , SCMP 17 February 2006
The Housing Department is taking over a construction company's three building sites today despite facing legal action after terminating its contracts this week.

The Housing Authority (HA) will regain control over three public housing construction projects tomorrow (February 17) at 10 am as the contractor has been failing to comply with the contractual requirements on progress of works.