230 Infrastructure Development and Heritage Conservation
efficient co-ordination and resolution of inter-departmental issues relating to infrastructure development at an early stage.
The Development Bureau is also responsible for enhancing the Government's heritage conservation work and striking a balance between development and conservation. The Government's heritage conservation policy and initiatives, drawn up in response to public aspirations, aim to facilitate active public involvement in protecting Hong Kong's heritage.
The Development Opportunities Office (DOO) was established on July 1, 2009 for a three-year period to provide one-stop consultation and co-ordination services to project proponents in the private sector and non-governmental organisations. The DOO does not approve land development projects, but facilitates the implementation of those that have broader social values or that strengthen Hong Kong's economic competitiveness. All land development proposals handled by the DOO are presented to the Land and Development Advisory Committee for its support and advice.
The DOO assisted in developing and monitoring implementation of the package of measures to facilitate redevelopment and wholesale conversion of Hong Kong's older industrial buildings. The DOO completed a mid-term review of the measures in September this year. Following that, the Government introduced a number of refinements to them, as well as extended their application period for three years to March 31, 2016.
The DOO is also responsible for providing secretariat support to the Steering Committee on Housing Land Supply, chaired by the Financial Secretary, to co-ordinate the efforts of the government departments in increasing housing land supply.
Planning for Hong Kong
Strategic town planning provides an important framework for Hong Kong's future development. A 'Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy' provides a framework for planning the city's long-term development. It focuses on providing Hong Kong with a quality living environment, enhancing its economic competitiveness and strengthening its links with the Mainland to maintain its image as Asia's world city.
Harbourfront Enhancement
The Government is committed to protecting and beautifying Victoria Harbour, and is continuing its harbourfront enhancement work. Works on the Aldrich Bay Park and the Hung Hom Promenade and Extension of Tsim Sha Tsui Promenade have been completed and these leisure grounds were opened to the public in 2011. Other harbourfront enhancement projects in the pipeline (including the advance promenades in the new Central harbourfront and Hoi Yu Street, Kai Tak Runway Park Phase 1 and Kwun Tong Promenade Phase 2) are also progressing well. With the support of the Harbourfront Commission (HC), the Government is exploring the establishment of an independent statutory Harbourfront Authority to plan, design, operate and manage designated harbourfront areas.
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