SDEV visits urban developments and historic buildings in Guangzhou (with photos)

The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, starting the first day of her programme in Guangzhou today (February 18), visited numerous urban developments and historic buildings.

Mrs Lam visited Zhujiang New Town in the morning and was briefed by officials of the Guangzhou Planning Bureau on the planning position, functions, landmark buildings and municipal transportation projects of this key development area.

Zhujiang New Town is to be developed into a central business district of Guangzhou with multiple functions to cater for international finance, trade, business, entertainment, foreign affairs, tourism and sightseeing. The Central Cooling System being built in Zhujiang New Town is a key development project by the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government to serve as a demonstration area on green energy-saving and environmental protection.

To better understand Guangzhou's efforts in heritage conservation and revitalisation of historic buildings, Mrs Lam, accompanied by Professor Tang Guohua of the School of Architecture and Urban Planning of Guangzhou University, visited the Memorial Museum of Generalissimo Sun Yat-sen's Mansion and several historic buildings in Shamian to see how they were preserved and restored.

Located in Haizhu District, the Memorial Museum of Generalissimo Sun Yat-sen's Mansion is a State Grade II museum. The site was formerly known as the Guangzhou Cement Factory, built in 1906. It was refurbished by the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government in the run-up to the Asian Games with a newly-built green landscaped piazza.

Shamian was listed as a key state-level protection site in 1997. It has a total of 53 key historic buildings. The Guangzhou Municipal People's Government has implemented comprehensive environmental improvement measures in Shamian since 2009, including restoration and preservation of numerous historic buildings.  

Mrs Lam also visited Guangzhou T.I.T. Creative Park which was converted from an abandoned factory compound. The Guangzhou authorities, while preserving the architectural features, injected new elements into the area and transformed it into a platform for research and development, and design and servicing of fashion, clothing and culture.  Mrs Lam also visited the waterworks infrastructure in Donghao Stream and restoration works in Liwan Brook.

Mrs Lam also met the Director of the Guangzhou Urban Planning Bureau, Mr Wang Dong, to exchange views on town planning issues.     

Also joining the visit are the Acting Deputy Director of Planning, Mr Ling Kar-kan; the Commissioner for Heritage, Mrs Laura Aron; and the Head (Kai Tak Office) of the Civil Engineering and Development Department, Mr Stephen Tang.

Mrs Lam will visit Leide Village, Guangzhou International Convention and Exhibition Centre, Asian Games Town and Guangzhou South Railway Station tomorrow (February 19). She will return to Hong Kong tomorrow night.

Ends/Friday, February 18, 2011
Issued at HKT 19:21

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Professor Tang Guohua of the School of Architecture and Urban Planning of Guangzhou University briefs the Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, on preservation and restoration work of historic buildings in Shamian. Mrs Lam visits Huacheng Plaza in Zhujiang New Town. Mrs Lam sees for herself Liwan Brook after the restoration works.


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