LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
218
Energy conservation and environmental awareness is a global issue to which the department pays close attention. Energy efficient technologies and design techniques were adopted in new building designs for projects such as the Hospital Authority Building, North Point Government Offices, and Regional Council Heritage Museum. Solar energy has been adopted for use in Tsuen Wan Area 7 Swimming Pool and Sheung Shui Slaughter House. The Chinese version of the booklet, Energy Conservation in Buildings (aimed at promoting further energy conservation design and operation) was issued in March 1996.
Environmental impact assessments are carried out for all Arch SD projects that require them. Environmental audits were carried out for Arch SD offices and three selected major sites managed by the department. Noise abatement projects covering about 100 schools were completed in 1996. The department has appointed a Green Manager who is responsible for environmental issues.
Indoor air quality and odour control are always important design considerations for government premises. Cleaning facilities in air ducts have now become standard for office buildings, hospitals and other premises where large numbers of people will be present. This allows the survey of air ducts by optical means, cleaning of air ducts by compressed air and sterilisation by chemicals.
The department has taken the lead in the use of CFC-free chemicals for air- conditioning and fire services installations. For example, R-134a and ammonia have been used to replace conventional refrigerant; and HKC227ea has been used to replace halon fire-fighting agents. The department is continually searching for suitable new chemicals and techniques which do not have side effects such as global warming potential and are not hazardous to human beings or the environment.
Land Administration
The main functions of the Lands Administration Office of the Lands Department, which consists of a headquarters and 14 District Lands Offices, are land acquisition, land disposal, management of unallocated government land, and lease enforcement. Land use statistics are at Appendix 38.
Land Acquisition
When private property is needed in the public interest, mostly for the implementation of public works projects, and cannot be acquired by negotiation, it may be acquired under ordinances which provide for payment of compensation, based on the value of the property, and for business loss, where appropriate, at the date of acquisition. If agreement cannot be reached on the amount payable, either party can refer the claim to the Lands Tribunal for adjudication. Apart from statutory compensation, there is a system of ex-gratia payments. During 1996, about 443 000 square metres of private land were acquired at a cost of about $1.82 billion in the New Territories for public works projects, such as a new development phase of Tung Chung on North Lantau, and village flood protection schemes in Yuen Long and North District.
On Hong Kong Island and in Kowloon, about $128 million was paid in compensation for land and buildings acquired for public works projects, such as new open space developments at Lun Fat Street on Hong Kong Island, and Fung Tak Road extension in Kowloon, as well as road improvement schemes such as improvement work for Lung Cheung Road/Ching Cheung Road, Kowloon.