LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
204
Review of the Town Planning Ordinance
The Town Planning Ordinance was enacted in 1939 and had remained largely in its original form. In 1987, the Governor in Council (G in C) ordered that an overall review of the ordinance should be undertaken, with a view to introducing new legislation to meet Hong Kong's changing circumstances.
A consultative document on the comprehensive review of the Town Planning Ordinance was published in 1991 to solicit public views. As part of the review, a special committee was set up to consider the complex and contentious issues of compensation and betterment arising from planning actions. The recommendations of the special committee were published in 1992. While the administration was taking stock of the situation in light of the submissions and views received from the public, some less-controversial but more urgent proposals were put forward in amendment bills which resulted in the enactment of amendments to the Town Planning Ordinance in 1994 and 1996.
Technical work on the review is now complete and the administration has consolidated the major proposed changes to the planning system in the Town Planning White Bill. The White Bill was published in July 1996 for public consultation until end of the year.
Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines
This is a government document of planning criteria and guidelines for determining the quantity, scale, location and site requirements of various land uses and facilities. It is applied to planning studies, the preparation or revision of town plans and development control. It is constantly under review to take account of changes in government policies, demographic characteristics as well as social and economic trends. Major works undertaken during the year included the formulation and revision of planning standards and guidelines for community centres, recreation and open space, industry and retail facilities.
To promote public awareness of planning and to facilitate the use of the document by non-government bodies, it has been made available in various libraries. The document is also available for sale to the public, on a chapter-by-chapter basis.
Territorial Development Strategy
The Territorial Development Strategy (TDS) is the highest tier in the hierarchy of town plans in Hong Kong. It provides a broad, long-term framework on land use, transport and environmental matters for the planning and development of the territory. It aims to facilitate the continued growth of Hong Kong and promote its hub functions as a regional centre of business and finance, a high-capacity container port and an international focal point for aviation.
A comprehensive review of the strategy commenced in 1990. Two development scenarios have been postulated in the current TDS Review. The first scenario assumes the Pearl River Delta area as Hong Kong's primary economic catchment, and the second includes both Guangdong province and other inner provinces of China as Hong Kong's economic catchment.
The TDS Review consists of three main streams of work: the foundation studies including identification of goals and objectives, key issues and evaluation criteria; the