LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
formulation and evaluation of TDS development options on the basis of the foundation studies; and the formulation of a recommended long-term development strategy for the territory and a medium-term strategy with an outline development programme. A public consultation exercise in 1993 sought public views on goals/objectives and strategic development options. The technical part of the review was completed and a Consultative Digest was produced in July to invite public comments until end of 1996.
Sub-regional Development Strategies
These strategies serve as a bridge between the TDS and district plans. They translate long-term, broad-brush territorial concepts and goals into district planning objectives for the five sub-regions of Hong Kong: the Metro area, North-East New Territories. (NENT), South-East New Territories (SENT), North-West New Territories (NWNT) and South-West New Territories (SWNT).
The Metroplan Selected Strategy was approved by the G in C in 1991 as a planning framework for developing and upgrading the Metro sub-region, including Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, Tsuen Wan and Kwai Tsing, up to the year 2011.
Following the approval of the Metroplan Selected Strategy, steps have been taken. to prepare a series of Development Statements to translate the Metroplan concepts into more specific district planning objectives. The Development Statements for West Kowloon, South-East Kowloon, Tsuen Wan-Kwai Tsing were completed. The Hong Kong Island West and Central and East Kowloon Development Statements have recently been completed and released for public consultation. With the completion of the TDS Review, the Metroplan is now under review to produce an updated planning framework for the development and redevelopment of the Metro Area.
Work on the review of the NWNT and SWNT sub-regional development strategies is in progress. These reviews aim at producing an appropriate land-use, transport and environmental framework to guide the planning and development of the sub-regions up to 2011. A Tuen Mun East Development Statement was completed in 1996.
The NENT Development Strategy Review has been completed. A review for the SENT is not required at this stage, as the general planning policy of conservation of the countryside and the enhancement of the recreation potential in SENT (except for the new town development in Tseung Kwan O) remains unchanged.
District Planning
Development projects are implemented in accordance with statutory or departmental district plans. These plans aim to regulate and provide guidance to development in terms of land-use, building density and development characteristics, to ensure that they are in line with the planning objectives of the districts.
Statutory Planning
Two types of statutory plans are prepared by the Town Planning Board (TPB) under the Town Planning Ordinance (TPO): the outline zoning plans (OZPs) and development permission area (DPA) plans. The DPA plans are prepared for areas not previously covered by OZPs and they mainly cover the rural areas in the New Territories. Development scheme plans prepared by the Land Development Corporation (LDC) are also approved by the TPB.
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