ENG-2001 — Page 269

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

account of changes in government policies, demographic characteristics and social and economic trends. During the year, planning standards and guidelines for petrol filling stations, liquefied petroleum gas filling stations, electricity supply, telephone service and greening were revised or in the process of formulation.

The document is available for sale to the public on a chapter-by-chapter basis and uploaded to the Planning Department's web site so as to promote public awareness of it and to facilitate its application by non-government bodies.

Territorial Development Strategy

The Territorial Development Strategy (TDS) is the highest tier in the hierarchy of town planning in Hong Kong. It provides a broad land use, transport and environmental framework for planning and development. It also serves as a basis for preparation of sub-regional planning statements and more detailed district plans.

The last review of the TDS was completed in 1996. Since then, some fundamental assumptions underlying the review have become outdated and some new factors. having strategic planning implications have emerged. A new round of review, the Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy Study commenced in 2000 to assess Hong Kong's future development needs in a wider regional perspective and for a longer time horizon. To enhance public awareness and to build community consensus, the public will be consulted extensively throughout the study process. The study is expected to be completed in 2002.

Sub-regional Development Strategies

These strategies aim to develop long-term comprehensive land use, transport and environment plans to guide medium and long-term development. They also serve as a bridge between the TDS and district plans through the translation of long-term, broad-brush territorial development visions and themes into district planning objectives for the five sub-regions in Hong Kong. The five sub-regions are the Metro Area, North-East New Territories (NENT), North-West New Territories (NWNT), South-East New Territories (SENT) and South-West New Territories (SWNT). Extensive public consultation exercises have been carried out to collect views on these strategies in view of their significant implications on the long-term development framework for the respective sub-regions.

The Metroplan Review Study is intended to produce an updated planning framework for the development and redevelopment of the Metro Area for 2016 and beyond, including a review of the 1993 Kowloon Density Study. Another planning study being undertaken in parallel is to develop a planning framework for guiding future developments around Victoria Harbour. The public has been consulted as part of the study process and its views will be incorporated into the study recommendations as appropriate. Further public consultation will be undertaken when detailed proposals are available.

The integrated planning and development studies on NENT and NWNT have identified Kwu Tung North, Fanling North and Hung Shui Kiu as the new development areas. Layout plans for these areas and impact assessments have largely been completed.

The review of the Development Strategy for the SWNT sub-region was completed in July. The Recommended Development Strategy formulated puts emphasis on

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