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Planning, Land and Infrastructure
and geospatial information provided by various departments through the internet. It also launched 'MyMapHK, a new mobile map application which provides users with convenient 'on-the-go' access to the Lands Department's digital maps and community facilities via their mobile devices.
The SMO's digital '3D Spatial Data' shows ground features in three-dimensional and photo-realistic forms. It can be used to create a virtual 3D city model of Hong Kong or in different 3D applications to facilitate project planning, building information modelling and engineering design work. In 2014, SMO launched the new i-Series digital maps which allow users to enjoy the more comprehensive datasets and the new data formats. Users may also select the seamless version covering users' defined area-of-interest so that they no longer need to combine discrete tiles of digital maps into one single file.
Building Safety and Maintenance
Ensuring the safety of Hong Kong's aging buildings continued to be one of the Development Bureau's key areas of work in 2014. To enhance building safety, the Development Bureau, in collaboration with the Buildings Department and other relevant organisations, has implemented measures covering four major areas: legislation; enforcement; support and assistance to building owners; and publicity and public education.
The Minor Works Control System, which provides building owners with simplified statutory procedures for carrying out small-scale building works, continues to grow in popularity. In 2014, 106,829 minor works submissions were received (as compared with 87,938 in 2013) and there have been 301,346 submissions since the scheme's implementation in December 2010. In 2014, the Buildings Department continued to administer the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme and the Mandatory Window Inspection Scheme, requiring building owners to inspect and repair their buildings and windows regularly.
The 'Operation Building Bright' programme, administered by the government, the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) and the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) to create more job opportunities for the building repair and maintenance industry and to improve building safety, gives financial assistance and technical advice to owners of old and dilapidated buildings to carry out repair and maintenance works on their buildings. The government and the two organisations allotted $3.5 billion to the programme when it was set up in 2009 to help repair and maintain about 3,100 buildings and create more than 60,000 job opportunities in the building repair and maintenance industry.
The HKHS administers, on behalf of the government, a $1 billion Building Maintenance Grant Scheme for Elderly Owners. Recipients may use the subsidy under the scheme to repair their premises or repay outstanding loans from the Buildings Department, the URA or the HKHS, which were made to keep their premises in proper condition. The scheme has received 20,895 applications since its inception in May 2008. Of these, 15,677 applications involving around $363.21 million were approved.
The HKHS and URA's 'Integrated Building Maintenance Assistance Scheme' has been providing
building owners with comprehensive financial support since 2011.
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