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With a view to alleviating the congestion problems in the urban areas, there was a need to include
substantial resettlement estates in Sha Tin. Hence, a review of the 1961 plan to allow higher density
residential and industrial developments was necessitated. The 1961 plan was then superseded by a draft
Outline Zoning Plan (OZP) prepared as a result of further specific planning and engineering investigations.
In 1965, the former Public Works Department prepared a comprehensive development scheme which
recommended the development of a new town in Sha Tin. The draft OZP based on this scheme was
eventually approved in June 1967. A revised draft development plan was prepared in the early 1970s to
provide for an ultimate population of about 500 000. With the onset of large-scale reclamation for Sha Tin
New Town since the early 1970s (Figure 2), the population had built up rapidly.

In 1979, the Government approved the development of Ma On Shan as an extension of Sha Tin New
Town. In 1983, the Ma On Shan Transport Study was endorsed proposing a population threshold of
150 000 in Ma On Shan as part of an overall threshold of 704 000 for Sha Tin and Ma On Shan. In 1986,
the Ma On Shan Development Review was completed and recommended that the population of Sha Tin
New Town should be limited to 750 000. On 22 March 1991, a separate OZP prepared for Ma On Shan was
first gazetted. Both the Sha Tin and Ma On Shan OZPs have been amended several times to keep abreast
with current proposals. Major land uses such as residential, village type development, commercial,
industrial, open space, government, institution or community, green belt and other specified uses as well
as transport systems have been included in the OZPs.

Planning Concept

Sha Tin New Town (Figure 3) has a linear-shaped, cellular development layout along the natural valleys
of Shing Mun River. The basic concept of developing Sha Tin New Town is to provide a balanced
community with sustainable development where people can work, play, grow and learn in a pleasing and
enjoyable environment.

The physical planning of the New Town is largely constrained by the existing topography and railway
lines. In planning for different land uses, consideration has been given to placing higher intensity
residential and industrial uses in valleys and on reclamation areas, and lower intensity residential uses on
higher grounds.

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