Sha Tin New Town

Sha Tin New Town, or known as Sha Tin-Ma On Shan New Town or Sha Tin Town is one of the satellite towns and new towns of Hong Kong. It is within the Sha Tin District, the New Territories. The New Town covers the neighbourhoods such as Sha Tin, Tai Wai, Fo Tan, Tai Shui Hang, Ma On Shan. The Shing Mun River runs through the middle of the town.

Sha Tin New Town
沙田新市鎮
Satellite Town
Nickname: 
Sha Tin
CountryChina
Provincial-level SARHong Kong
RegionNew Territories
DistrictSha Tin District
Population
 (2004)
 • Total640,000[1]
Time zoneUTC+8 (Hong Kong Time)
Sha Tin New Town
The town centre of Shatin New Town
Traditional Chinese沙田新市鎮

Development history

Development was started in the 1970s, and currently covers an area of 35.87 square kilometres with total developed area of about 2,000 hectares (4,900 acres).[1] As of 2004, it has a population of around 640,000 people.[1] The town centre houses a mall, New Town Plaza, the Sha Tin Public Library, Sha Tin Town Hall, and other community facilities.

Transport

Highways, roads and tunnels

The road transport between Shatin and Kowloon relies on the Lion Rock Tunnel (completed in 1967), Tate's Cairn Tunnel (completed in 1988), Shing Mun Tunnel, and Tai Po Road. The Tolo Highway was opened in September 1985. It connects Sha Tin Road and Tai Po Road, forming a connection system between the New Town and Tai Po New Town. Tate's Cairn Highway also connects Ma On Shan with Tolo Highway. The opening of Sai Sha Road in October 1988 provided a connection between Sha Tin and Sai Kung. The T3 Highway (Tsing Sha Highway) and Route No. 8 (Cheung Sha Wan to Sha Tin section) was completed in March 2008.

Public transport

The New Town has numerous bus routes connecting to the city centre and metro station from various populated zone in the Town. Beside bus services, minibus services are provided as well for residential areas with fewer people.

KCR (now East Rail line, MTR)

KCR, since merged with the former MTR, was essential to the development of new town. There are five East Rail line stations within the new town, namely Tai Wai, Sha Tin, Fo Tan, Racecourse and University (Chinese University). Part of the Tuen Ma line also lies within the district, which connects Hin Keng (situated at the southwestern part of Tai Wai) and Wu Kai Sha of Ma On Shan (situated at the northeastern part of Lee On Estate). Passengers can transfer to East Rail line at Tai Wai station.

Urban planning

Despite Sha Tin New Town including Ma On Shan,[2] and the town itself is sometimes known as Sha Tin-Ma On Shan, Ma On Shan town has its own urban planning plan or Outline Zoning Plan (OZP), the "Ma On Shan Outline Zoning Plan". The plan was amended most recently in 2020.[3] Neighbourhoods such as Sha Tin, Tai Wai, Fo Tan are included in the "Sha Tin Outline Zoning Plan".[4]

The Science Park-Pak Shek Kok development, also located in Sha Tin New Town, has its own OZP too, but part of the area of that development is included in Tai Po District.

References
  1. "Sha Tin New Town". Civil Engineering and Development Department. 1 July 2004. Archived from the original on 12 November 2004. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
  2. "New Towns, New Development Areas and Urban Developments". Hong Kong: Civil Engineering and Development Department. 29 December 2020. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
  3. "Approved Ma On Shan Outline Zoning Plan amended". Hong Kong Government. 16 October 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  4. "Statutory Planning Portal 2 (SPK)".

Further reading

22.380238°N 114.189835°E / 22.380238; 114.189835

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