ENG-2002 — Page 281

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

demographic information analysis. In addition, many value-added-resellers (VAR) are using the SMO's digital maps as the reference base and add on specific information to develop their own tailor-made commercial map products or more advanced applications, such as for in-car navigation systems and for fleet management. These VAR products are available in CD-ROM and other media for use on personal computers and other mobile devices such as portable cellular phones and Personal Digital Assistants.

The SMO has a computerised Map Archives Retrieval System that assists client departments and the public in searching and inspecting the maps and aerial photos archives. Two kiosks have been set up at the office's headquarters so that the public can access the items. It is planned to increase the number of kiosks at other map sales outlets for use by public and to establish a direct access linkage to the system for use by client departments.

In aerial survey and photogrammetric services, the office is developing a new series of an orthophoto image covering the region. An orthophoto image is an image of the earth surface, which contains comprehensive and easy-to-recognise earth surface information with correct scale and position for planning, design, analysis, mapping, communications and presentation purposes.

The SMO produces a wide range of survey and mapping materials such as 1:1 000 Basic Maps, Topographical Maps at scales varying from 1:5 000 to 1:100 000, Countryside Maps, Town Maps, Urban Maps, Hong Kong Guide 2002, thematic maps, land boundary maps, geo-community database, geo-reference database, aerial photographs and survey control stations. These products, apart from serving different government departments, are available for sale to the public in paper or digital form. Details of the products are provided at the Lands Department's website.

Rural Public Works and Urban Minor Works Programmes

The Home Affairs Department carries out small-scale projects each not exceeding $15 million to upgrade the living environment of the community. These projects are funded by the Rural Public Works (RPW) Programme launched in 1999 (succeeding the 10-year Rural Planning and Improvement Strategy minor works programme that ended in March 2000) and the Urban Minor Works (UMW) Programme introduced in 2000. In 2002, some 260 projects, at a total cost of $220 million, were completed.

Drainage Services

Flood Prevention Infrastructure

The Drainage Services Department (DSD) is implementing a series of major flood control projects in the New Territories and in West Kowloon, costing about $13 billion.

In the north-western New Territories, improvement works to about 12 kilometres of the lower and middle reaches of the Kam Tin River and the Shan Pui River in Yuen Long have been completed. The main drainage channels at Ngau Tam Mei and the upper reaches of the Kam Tin River near Kam Tin San Tsuen have been substantially completed and the flood risk around the areas has been relieved. Design work for the Yuen Long Bypass Floodway has been completed. Construction of the San Tin eastern main drainage channel commenced in October, and, upon its completion in

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