XN000022-1997-04-16 — Page 78

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Urban renewal in progress

Following is a question by the Hon Ngan Kam-chuen and a written reply by the Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Bowen Leung, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Will the Government inform this Council:

(a)

(b)

(c)

on the progress in the implementation of the proposals set out in the policy statement on "Urban Renewal in Hong Kong";

whether an agreement has been reached with the Land Development Corporation (LDC) to the effect that the LDC in future may, without having to seek approval from the Executive Council, invoke the Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance to resume land required for urban renewal projects; and

when an agreement can be reached with the LDC regarding the setting up of an Urban Renewal Authority?

Reply:

Mr President,

(a)

Good progress has been made in implementing the proposals set out in the policy statement on "Urban Renewal in Hong Kong". We have already set up dedicated urban renewal teams in the Planning, Environment and Lands Branch and Planning Department and proposed a Building Safety Inspection Scheme to ensure proper building maintenance. We will be granting land at reduced premium to the Hong Kong Housing Society for the construction of rehousing units for the Land Development Corporation (LDC). We are finalizing arrangements for introducing the linked site approach by which a profitable site is granted to cross-subsidize a financially non-viable redevelopment project. An inter-departmental working group has also been set up to study and to make recommendations on the establishment of an Urban Renewal Authority (URA) and the creation of a rehabilitation fund to assist owners of domestic units to renovate or upgrade their buildings.