University seeks consultation over CCCU Building site
Shirley Lam
Six possible on-campus sites identified
Following the Council's decision in August 2004 to locate the CCCU building on campus, the University appointed consultants to prepare a detailed study on the possible locations. The new building will be a self-contained premise with its own learning and support facilities to mitigate the increased loading on the University campus and facilities. It will include classrooms and lecture theatres, computer laboratories and other specialist areas; staff offices for academic, administrative, support and part-time staff; student and staff amenities including multi-purpose sports hall, student canteen and kitchen, student union, exhibition space student services; and learning resources centre.
Six possible sites, all of which fulfilling the projected space requirement of 40,000 square metres for a probable full-time student number of 6,000, were identified for consideration. In identifying these sites, the Consultants have carried out studies on each of the following aspects: statutory planning, impact on the neighborhood, landscaping, structural and geotechnical issues, building services, environmental, traffic and transport, existing infrastructural facilities within the University, existing MTR tunnels, and existing Shek Kip Mei Park facilities.
All the sites have pros and cons. (More information is available at ). Some of the possible sites such as Site A, which is built over the MTR tunnel, may create technical difficulties and thus induce a higher cost. Some locations which need to seek approval from the Town Planning Board for example, Site A again for meeting the height requirement, or Sites Y and Z for change of land use, may cost a longer construction time. Other sites like Sites D or X, which reside on steep slopes or valleys, may call for a higher cost incurred by complicated site formation works (see for comparisons of budget and duration).
Comments are welcome
In view of the future development of the higher education sector and growing student numbers due to the four-year curriculum, increase in non-local students and self-financing students, the Management Board recommended at its meeting on 5 November that the site selection for the CCCU building be based on the following principles: to allow for maximum land potential on campus for future developments of both the University and CCCU to accommodate targeted student numbers, to offer convenient access to the CCCU and to mitigate increased pedestrian traffic on the current access route to the University campus; to preserve the present environment; and to minimize the project cost and duration. The MB therefore recommended sites B and Z, or a hybrid of both sites, as the more desirable options.
At the open forum, staff and students expressed their concern about the importance of convenient access and that additional access is essential to divert the heavy traffic. They were also concerned that the choice of site should be conducive to students sharing academic facilities on the University campus. More comments on the proposed sites are welcome. Staff and students are invited to share their opinions and suggestions from now till 14 November via cpoadmin@cityu.edu.hk.
Upon solicitation of feedback, the Council will make decision on the exact location of the site on 16 November. The CCCU Board of Management has decided to apply for a government loan to finance the building project and the University will submit an application for the loan on 20 November.