LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES
Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines
The Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines 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 applies to planning studies and the preparation or revision of town plans. The document is under constant review to take account of changes in government policies, demographic characteristics and social and economic trends. During the year, planning standards and guidelines for education facilities, use of land beneath flyovers/footbridges, industry, electricity supply, telephone services, parking provisions and greening were either formulated, updated or being revised.
The document is available for sale to the public on a chapter-by-chapter basis and uploaded to the Planning Department's website to promote public awareness of its content and to facilitate its application by non-governmental bodies.
Territorial Development Strategy
The Territorial Development Strategy (TDS) is the highest tier of planning in the hierarchy of town plans in Hong Kong. It provides a broad land use, transport and environmental framework for planning and development. It also serves as a basis for preparation of sub-regional plans and more detailed district plans.
The last review of the TDS was completed in 1996. Taking into account the emergence of new factors having strategic planning implications, a new round of review, the Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy, commenced in 2000. The study is to assess Hong Kong's future development needs in a wider regional perspective and for a longer time horizon.
To enhance public awareness and to build community consensus, the public will be consulted extensively throughout the study process. The study is expected to be completed in 2003.
Sub-regional Development Strategies
These strategies serve as a bridge between the TDS and district plans. They translate the territorial goals into more specific planning objectives for the five sub-regions of Hong Kong, namely the Metro Area, North-East New Territories (NENT), North- West New Territories (NWNT), South-East New Territories (SENT) and South-West New Territories (SWNT). Extensive public consultation has been carried out to collect views on these strategies in view of their significant implications for the long- term planning framework for the respective sub-regions.
The Metroplan Review Study is intended to produce an updated planning framework for the development and redevelopment of the Metro Area for 2016 and beyond. The study includes a review of the 1993 Kowloon Density Study. Another planning study being undertaken in parallel is to develop a planning framework for guiding future developments around Victoria Harbour.
The integrated planning and development studies on NENT and NWNT have identified Kwu Tung North, Fanling North and Hung Shui Kiu as the new development areas. Detailed planning for these areas and impact assessments are in progress.
The SWNT Recommended Development Strategy, completed in 2001, aims at maintaining a balance between conservation and development in the sub-region in
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