Chapter 12
Infrastructure Development and Heritage Conservation
To maintain Hong Kong as a world-class city, the Government continues to invest in infrastructure and promote a quality city environment through land-use planning, greening, harbourfront enhancement and heritage conservation.
Organisational Framework
The Development Bureau was established on July 1, 2007 following the reorganisation of the Government Secretariat's Policy Bureaux. It consists of two policy branches: Planning and Lands Branch, and Works Branch. The Development Opportunities Office was set up under the bureau in 2009.
The Planning and Lands Branch is responsible for policy governing planning, development, land use and supply, urban renewal, building safety and land registration. Its policy objectives are to facilitate Hong Kong's continual development through effective planning and use of land, a steady and sufficient supply of land, efficient registration of land, promoting and ensuring building safety and timely maintenance, and expediting urban renewal.
The Works Branch is responsible for formulating public works policies and co-ordinating and monitoring the implementation of public works projects. It also takes charge of policy matters concerning increasing land supply through reclamation outside the Victoria Harbour and rock cavern development, developing a new core business district in Kowloon East, greening, water supply, slope safety, lift safety, flood prevention, construction manpower resources, as well as heritage conservation.
The Development Bureau oversees the Planning Department, Lands Department, Buildings Department, Land Registry, Architectural Services Department, Civil Engineering and Development Department, Drainage Services Department, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, and Water Supplies Department. The reorganisation of these nine government departments under one roof ensures more
229