LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
provides for the development of Container Terminals 8 and 9 on reclamation at Stone- cutters Island and south-east Tsing Yi Island respectively. Further long-term port develop- ment is planned for North Lantau and at Tuen Mun West. Associated with all these projects are major new highways and an airport passenger rail link.
(Details of the Port and Airport Development Strategy are illustrated in the end-paper map at the end of this Report).
The Metroplan study will provide a framework for the more comprehensive re- structuring of urban areas around Victoria Harbour through redevelopment and the creation of new sites by reclamation and the terracing of hill slopes. This study has reached an advanced stage involving the formulation of nine initial options which, through a careful and complex process of evaluation, have been reduced to one 'hybrid' plan that takes account of the relocation of the airport to Chek Lap Kok. In parallel with this work, a second booklet comprising a digest on the initial options has been produced for public consultation. Also, a Landscape Strategy for the Urban Fringe and Coastal Areas has been produced as a guide for detailed planning. The final phase of work on Metroplan will involve the formulation of more specific land use transport proposals and various devel- opment guidelines. This work will take account of the results emerging from feasibility studies for major reclamation projects at Central/Wan Chai, West Kowloon and Green Island. The aim is to complete Metroplan by April 1990.
The Rural Planning and Improvement Strategy proposal is aimed at improving living conditions and the general environment of the New Territories outside the new towns. This study covers the essential infrastructure for rural development and also the planning and land administration strategy for its implementation. Policy guidelines were approved by the Executive Council in March 1989 and the next steps are to produce sub-regional planning statements, detailed layout plans and rural development works programmes.
Water
To cope with Hong Kong's future demand for water, the government has completed a conceptual plan for increasing the China water reception and distribution facilities in Hong Kong. When completed, the expanded system will be able to receive 1 100 million cubic metres of China water per year which will be sufficient to meet the anticipated water demand in the early 2000's.
Professional Registration
Legislation to provide for professional registration of architects and engineers was introduced into the Legislative Council in July 1989. Similar bills for surveyors and planners are expected to be introduced in 1990.
Land Administration and Supply
The Land Administration Office of the Buildings and Lands Department co-ordinates all aspects of land administration throughout the territory.
The first priority in land supply is to make sufficient land available for the government's development programmes, including the public housing programme. Land for the Hong Kong Housing Authority's public rental estates is provided free by the government, as is land for the residential element of the authority's Home Ownership Scheme. Land for the rental estates constructed by the Hong Kong Housing Society, a non-profit-making body with aims similar to those of the Housing Authority, is provided on concessionary terms. Land is also granted by private treaty, at nil or nominal premium, to non-profit-making
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