ENG-1995 — Page 255

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

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demolition sites. A policy for more rigorous prosecution of offenders of the Buildings Ordinance was adopted.

For the first time, regulations were made to promote energy conservation: all commercial and hotel buildings may not exceed overall thermal transfer values calculated in accordance with a code of practice. Work was in hand to revise regulations and the design manual to improve the standards of buildings in terms of access facilities for people with disabilities. In addition to locomotory disability, consideration was also given to people with sensory disabilities.

The programme, initiated by the Buildings Department in 1989, for the planned survey of buildings substantially completed inspection of 16 700 buildings on the current target list. Need for remedial works was assessed. This resulted in the issue of 407 statutory orders to require the demolition or repair of buildings. To ascertain more reliably the patterns and trends of steel corrosion and material deterioration in reinforced concrete buildings, the Buildings Department would commission a study of buildings built between 1959 and 1980: this is similar to an earlier study on buildings of 1946-1958. The results of these studies will help to formulate strategies for keeping buildings safe.

Several major operations to clear illegal rooftop structures attracted considerable public attention and discussion on government policies for controlling unauthorised building works and rehousing dispossessed occupants from illegal rooftop structures. The government's pragmatic approach has enabled it to protect public safety - and contain the problem of unauthorised building works. During the year, 10 872 advisory letters followed by 3 830 orders were served to require the rectification or removal of unauthorised building works and 68 offenders were prosecuted.

The Public Sector

The Architectural Services Department is a large organisation which provides planning and technical advice on building-related matters to all government departments, financial control and project management of public building develop- ments under the Public Works Programme, and for subvented building projects financed by the government. It is also responsible for professional design services for the government, Hospital Authority, Urban Council, Regional Council and British Forces in Hong Kong; and provides maintenance services for buildings owned or occupied by these bodies.

During 1994–95, 275 projects valued at $36 billion were under design or construction. In addition, 507 projects valued at $15.6 billion were monitored by the department. The actual expenditure on building projects undertaken or monitored by the department totalled $5.9 billion, with a further $2 billion being spent on routine maintenance and minor alteration works.

A centralised government godown at Chai Wan will be completed in 1996. This will replace the existing Government Supplies Department accommodation in North Point and Cheung Sha Wan and house several government departments currently in leased premises. A new joint-user office building in Java Road, which will accommodate the new Government Supplies Department's Headquarters, is being planned and is due for completion by the end of 1997. A purpose-built Public Records Office at Kwun Tong is also planned to start in early 1996 and be completed by mid-1997.

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