LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
optimise the use of land within the framework of land-use zoning and development strategies, and to ensure the co-ordinated development of infrastructure and buildings.
The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands is chairman of a committee, which is responsible for monitoring the general progress of the physical development of the territory, as well as considering and endorsing detailed planning briefs, layouts and development plans. He is also chairman of the Town Planning Board, and has policy responsibility for conservation.
In addition to his policy functions, the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands oversees the operation of the Buildings Department, Drainage Services Department (jointly with the Secretary for Works), Environmental Protection Department, Lands Department and Planning Department, as well as the Land Registry, which is operated on a trading fund basis. He also oversees part of the work of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department, Civil Engineering Department, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Marine Department and Territory Development Department and the Government Laboratory.
The Secretary for Works oversees and has policy responsibility for the works agency activities of the Architectural Services Department, Civil Engineering Department, Drainage Services Department, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, Highways Department, Territory Development Department and Water Supplies Department. He is responsible for the supply of drinking and flushing water in the Water Supplies Department, the Sewage Services Trading Fund in the Drainage Services Department and the Electrical and Mechanical Services Trading Fund in the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department. The new Airport Projects Co-ordination Office (NAPCO) was set up in February 1991 under the Secretary for Works to co-ordinate the implementation of the Airport Core Programme (ACP). The Port Projects Co-ordination Office was set up under the Secretary for Works in 1995 to ensure efficient co-ordination of port projects.
Planning
Town planning is carried out by the Planning Department under policy directives from the Planning, Environment and Lands Branch and the Housing Branch. During the year, the department was involved in the drafting of an amendment bill to the existing Town Planning Ordinance and the Town Planning White Bill; reviewing the Territorial Development Strategy and the Metroplan; updating the Development Strategies for the North-West and the South-West New Territories; and the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines. It also identified housing sites, assessed housing demand and forecast of land supply for housing and other major land uses; plus following up on the Port and Airport Development Strategy, and the Rural Planning and Improvement Strategy.
The department was also engaged in forward planning, including efforts to co- ordinate the formulation of the urban renewal strategy and programme, and development control for the districts; and in undertaking enforcement action against unauthorised developments in designated rural areas.
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