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LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

To facilitate the implementation of the urban renewal programme, the Housing, Planning and Lands Bureau keeps under close review the delivery of the programme in the annual examination of the URA's five-year Corporate Plan and annual Business Plan; provides the necessary support and policy guidance to the URA; monitors and facilitates the implementation of individual projects, including vetting development projects having regard to any objections raised under the statute; oversees land resumption and clearance exercises to be undertaken by the Lands Department; and will review the URS regularly to take account of the community's changing needs.

The Planning Department supports the operation of the URA from the planning perspective so as to optimise the community benefits of URA projects and to ensure compliance with the statutory planning requirements. The department undertakes planning studies to assist in the formulation and review of the URS and will develop a comprehensive geographical information system to allow for the sharing of information on building conditions among various government departments for the purpose of drawing up and updating the rehabilitation and urban renewal programme. In addition, the department is involved in processing development schemes and master layout plans submitted by the URA for the Town Planning Board's consideration; and coordinating the provision of infrastructure, government, institution or community facilities and open space in URA projects.

The URA has made steady progress in taking forward a comprehensive urban renewal programme. By December, it had launched 13 redevelopment projects, two of which are carried out by the Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) under the URA/HKHS strategic partnership in urban renewal. In October, the URA extended its voluntary building rehabilitation pilot scheme whereby material incentives and technical assistance are provided to owners of old buildings to encourage them to undertake preventive maintenance. The URA also began a number of revitalisation projects during the year to renew the environment and economic fabric of old districts.

Planning Studies

Studies completed by the Planning Department during the year included: Metroplan Review Study; Planning Study on the Harbour and its Waterfront Areas; Focus Study on Aberdeen Harbour; Planning and Development Study on Hong Kong Island South and Lamma Island; Planning and Development Studies on NENT and NWNT; Setting Up of a 3-Dimensional Digital Model for the Main Urban Area of Hong Kong; and the Study on Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong.

The ongoing studies carried out by the Planning Department include Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy; Study on Planning for Pedestrians; Landscape Value Mapping of Hong Kong; and a Study to Examine Ways to Centralise and Disseminate Planning Data.

Studies commenced during the year included: Cross Boundary Travel Survey 2003 and Assignment on Provision of Transport Consultancy Services for Model Enhancement.

The department also worked on several major development proposals, notably, South-East Kowloon Development; the Central Reclamation Phase III; Wan Chai Development Phase II; Further Development of Tseung Kwan O Feasibility Study; and the Penny's Bay Development to facilitate Hong Kong Disneyland Phase I.