New measures proposed to ease short-term space shortage
The University is considering leasing off-campus sites to ease the short-term space shortage. Extra space will be needed to cope with the anticipated increase in the student and staff population between now and the end of 2009 when the first of three new buildings on campus is due for completion.
The Multi-media Building, Academic and Administration Building, and the Community College of City University Building will meet the University’s long-term development needs and will be completed between October 2009 and 2012.
Professor Richard Ho Yan-ki, Vice-President (Undergraduate Education) and Chairman of the Accommodation Committee, and Dr Jerry Yu Jer-tsang, Chief Information Officer and the Convener of the Campus Facilities Improvement Working Group, hosted an information session on 1 December to address the space issue with deans and heads of departments.
“We want to hear from you how we can capitalize on our new campus planning measures so we can enhance the University’s core activities in teaching and learning, as well as applied research,” Professor Ho said.
One of the solutions put forward was leasing off-campus sites in nearby public housing estates, the Hong Kong Science Park in Sha Tin, the InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong, other commercial buildings, and disused schools in Shek Kip Mei, creating a total extra space of thousands of square metres. Relocating offices and other facilities to these sites will set up space for teaching and learning activities on campus.
Proposals have been put forward to relocate some facilities of two departments to a site in a nearby public housing estate. The move is expected to create space on campus.
The proposed site in the Science Park is suitable for housing tenants in the electronics, information technology, biotechnology and precision engineering areas. As for the proposed space in the InnoCentre, activities related to design and visual art seem to fit into the list of priority tenants set out by the Centre, according to Dr Yu.
Concluding the session, Professor Ho and Dr Yu invited deans and heads of departments to “think strategically and think big” on how to capitalize on the proposed extra space to further the University’s mission in professional education and applied research.