The government's proposal to build artificial islands for housing purposes has stirred debate recently, with many pointing out that there is plenty of undeveloped land in the New Territories. Actually, there are already plans to further develop some of the area's rural townships, and this will bring job opportunities.
In the case of Sha Tau Kok, major changes are afoot: the little-known border town has been hidden behind the veil of the Frontier Closed Area since the 1950s, but the strip of land is finally being opened up. As a side effect of its long seclusion, the tranquillity and rural character of Sha Tau Kok and its surroundings have been well preserved.
The Planning Department believes the town is suitable for developing eco-tourism and cultural tourism. It has commissioned Ove Arup & Partners to carry out a consultancy study on the enhancement of the rural township. Arup also looked at Lau Fau Shan, an oyster-farming village in Yuen Long district.
'Arup was the urban planner and urban designer for both projects,' says Wilfred Lau, director of the consultancy firm. 'We were responsible for formulating area improvement plans for the townships and their surrounding areas, and developing conceptual schemes and preliminary design drawings.'
Job opportunities in connection with the improvement projects lie, first, in the fields of design, town planning and construction, he adds.
'Over the next 12 months, we will be looking to recruit more urban designers and urban planners,' says Lau. 'We are looking for people who are passionate and who want to apply their skills to develop better communities. In return, our planners and designers enjoy a rewarding career with a sense of accomplishment through shaping a better world.'