ENG-2003 — Page 263

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

and economic trends. During the year, planning standards and guidelines for residential densities, industry, parking provisions and urban design were formulated, updated or being revised.

The document is available for sale to the public on a chapter-by-chapter basis and uploaded to the Planning Department's website to promote public awareness of its content and to facilitate its application by non-governmental bodies.

Territorial Development Strategy

The Territorial Development Strategy (TDS) is the highest tier of planning in the hierarchy of town plans 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 plans and more detailed district plans.

The last review of the TDS was completed in 1996. Taking into account the emergence of new factors having strategic planning implications, a new round of review, the Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy, commenced in 2000. The study is to assess Hong Kong's future development needs in a wider regional perspective and for a longer time horizon.

The stage one and two public consultations were undertaken in 2001 and 2002, respectively. The stage three public consultation, focusing on the building of scenarios and formulation of development options, was launched in late 2003.

Sub-regional Development Strategies

These strategies serve as a bridge between the TDS and district plans. They translate the territorial goals into more specific planning objectives for the five sub-regions of Hong Kong, namely 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 has been carried out to collect views on these strategies in view of their significant implications for the long- term planning 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. The study includes a review of the 1993 Kowloon Density Study. The review study was completed in March 2003. In parallel, the Planning Study on the Harbour and its Waterfront Areas which aims at developing a planning framework for guiding future developments around Victoria Harbour was also completed in March.

The integrated planning and development studies on NENT and NWNT have been completed. The studies have identified and established the feasibility of developing Kwu Tung North, Fanling North and Hung Shui Kiu as the new development areas. To follow up the recommendations of the SWNT Recommended Development Strategy, promulgated in 2001, an integrated planning and engineering feasibility study for Mui Wo and South Lantau is being carried out to formulate a preferred land use scheme for the area which would balance development and conservation needs in accordance with the principle of sustainable development.

The SENT Development Strategy Review was also completed in 2001. It provides a broad planning framework for the long-term development of SENT with a view to enhancing the sub-region as the 'Leisure Garden of Hong Kong' by promoting conservation, enhancing visitor attractions and achieving a sustainable level of

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