Development was started in the 1970s, and currently covers an area of 35.87 square kilometres[citation needed] with a 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.
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 located in Tai Po District.
The road transport between Sha Tin New Town and Kowloon relies on the Lion Rock Tunnel (completed in 1967), Tate's Cairn Tunnel (completed in 1988), the Shing Mun Tunnels, 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 the Cheung Sha Wan to Sha Tin section of Route 8 between was completed in March 2008.
Public transport
The New Town has numerous bus routes connecting to the city centre and metro stations from various populated zones in the New Town. Beside bus services, minibus services are provided as well for residential areas with fewer people.
^ abc"Sha Tin New Town". Civil Engineering and Development Department. 1 July 2004. Archived from the original on 12 November 2004. Retrieved 21 April 2013.
