ENG-1999 — Page 267

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

covering 69 hectares were discontinued and 230 UDs covering 106 hectares of land were regularised through the planning application system.

A proactive approach had been adopted to restore the ecologically important areas damaged by UDs. During the year, the destruction of the marshland at Shuen Wan by extensive illegal landfilling was stopped and the deposited earth was removed with a view to preventing adverse ecological impacts on the wetland habitat and reducing the flooding hazard for nearby villages.

Urban Renewal

The Land Development Corporation (LDC) was established in 1988 to undertake, encourage, promote and facilitate urban renewal. Since its inception, 15 urban renewal projects have been completed and more than 35 projects are at various stages. of planning and implementation. These projects include five development schemes which were approved by the Chief Executive in Council during the year.

As set out in the 1999 Policy Address, the Government is planning to establish an Urban Renewal Authority (URA) to replace the LDC. The URA will be tasked to undertake comprehensive urban renewal to improve the overall environment in the older urban areas. It will have adequate powers and streamlined procedures to expedite urban renewal, and will be transparent and accountable in its operations. Subject to the enactment of the necessary legislation, the URA will be set up in 2000. During the year, the Planning Department completed an Urban Renewal Strategy Study to examine the urban renewal problem and to make recommendations on formulating an overall strategy to tackle the problem. The study has drawn up comprehensive redevelopment projects as well as rehabilitation and preservation proposals for the URA to implement upon its establishment. Based on the findings of the study, the Government will formulate a strategy which will be a blueprint for urban renewal in Hong Kong for the next 20 years.

To facilitate private sector participation in urban renewal, the Land (Compulsory Sale for Redevelopment) Ordinance was brought into operation in June. Under the new legislation, an owner (or owners) of 90 per cent or more of the undivided shares of a lot for which redevelopment is justified can apply to the Lands Tribunal for an order to sell the whole lot. This will help the private sector overcome site assembly difficulties which often hold up the urban renewal process.

Planning Studies

During the year, the Planning Department worked on several major development proposals, notably, the Green Island and South East Kowloon reclamations, the remaining development in Tung Chung and Tai Ho, the Port Back-up and Land Requirements and Intensification and Extension of Tseung Kwan O New Town, the Northshore Lantau Development Feasibility Study and the Study on Revitalisation of Tai O.

Studies were completed on the Cultural Facilities - A Study on their Requirements and the Formulation of New Planning Standards and Guidelines; Central and East Kowloon Development Statement, Metroplan Review Stage I study, the Propensity for Office Decentralisation and the Formulation of an Office Land Development Strategy, Study on the Ecological Value of Fish Ponds in Deep Bay Area, Urban Renewal Strategy and the third review of the Port Development Strategy.

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