LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
requirements, it is a great challenge to plan for the competing demands from housing, commerce, industry, transportation, utilities, as well as recreational, educational, medical and health, and other community facilities.
The work of town planning is carried out by the Planning Department under policy directives from the Planning, Environment and Lands Branch of the Government Secretariat. The department comprises three functional units: the Territorial and Sub- Regional Planning Branch, the District Planning Branch, the Ordinance Review and Technical Administration Division. Work undertaken by the three units is diverse, complex and interrelated. Major planning tasks undertaken by the department in 1992 include:
formulation of proposals for the new Planning Ordinance;
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updating and reviewing the Territorial Development Strategy, the North West and South West New Territories Sub-Regional Development Strategies and the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines;
follow-up work on the Rural Planning and Improvement Strategy, the Port and Airport Development Strategy and the Metroplan Selected Strategy;
forward planning and development control for the districts, including co-ordination of various urban renewal efforts; and
undertaking enforcement actions against unauthorised developments in designated rural areas.
Review of Town Planning Ordinance
The Town Planning Ordinance for Hong Kong was first enacted in 1939. In September 1987, the Executive Council ordered that an overall review of the ordinance should be undertaken with a view to introducing new legislation to replace the existing one, to provide the necessary degree of guidance and control for planning and development in Hong Kong to meet changing circumstances.
Public consultation on the comprehensive review of the Town Planning Ordinance, which commenced in July 1991, concluded in January 1992. A total of 75 written sub- missions were received from various public bodies, professional and academic institutions, community groups, individuals and academics overseas. The Legislative Council also held a motion debate on the subject on January 15, 1992.
As part of the comprehensive review, the Special Committee which was set up in July 1991 to consider specifically the complex and contentious issue of compensation and betterment arising from planning actions has received 63 submissions. After care- ful consideration of the submissions and views from various sectors, the Special Com- mittee submitted a report to the Governor in March 1992. The report was published in April 1992.
The Administration has finalised proposals for the new Planning Ordinance in the light of the public comments received.
Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines
The Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) is a manual for government town planners for determining the quantity, scale, location and site requirements of various land uses and facilities. This manual is applied to planning studies, preparation or revision of town plans and development control. The document is constantly under review to take account of changes in government policies and demographic characteristics as well as
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