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Planning, Land and Infrastructure
formulating development strategies. Results of the Cross-boundary Travel Survey 2017 were published in February 2019.
Urban Renewal
Urban renewal improves living conditions in old urban areas, primarily through redevelopment and rehabilitation of dilapidated buildings. The bureau formulates policy on urban renewal and oversees the work of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA).
The URA is taking forward district-based projects in Kowloon City and conducting a district planning study on Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok. It is also identifying suitable clusters of buildings under the Civil Servants' Cooperative Building Society Scheme for redevelopment on a pilot basis.
Building Development
Private Sector
In 2019, superstructural works covering a gross floor area of 2.14 million sq m in 94 sites started. Altogether 665 such buildings, with a gross floor area of 2.03 million sq m, were completed at a cost of $72.9 billion, compared with 732 buildings with a gross floor area of 2.6 million sq m built at a cost of $99 billion in 2018.
Public Sector
The Architectural Services Department provides architectural and associated professional and project management services for the design, construction and upkeep of government buildings and public facilities, except public housing. The department incorporates inclusive and green building designs to improve the accessibility and sustainability of government facilities, and promotes and adopts innovative construction methods to achieve better quality in design, construction and maintenance. In 2019, the department started the construction of 32 projects, including a multi-welfare services complex in Kwu Tung North using the modular integrated construction method. Thirty-one projects were completed, including schools, open. spaces, a sports centre, a columbarium, a government complex, and government offices and quarters.
Regional and international awards won by the department during the year included the Hong Kong Green Building Award, Construction Industry Council Construction Innovation Award, A' Design Award and Global Most Innovative Knowledge Enterprise Award.
Built Heritage Conservation
The government's heritage conservation policy is to protect, conserve and revitalise as appropriate historical and heritage sites and buildings through relevant and sustainable approaches for the benefit of present and future generations. Due regard is given to development needs in the public interest, respect for private property rights, budget considerations, cross-sectoral collaboration and the engagement of stakeholders and the public.
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