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Department. In addition, the Secretary oversees the operation of the Electrical and Mechanical Services Trading Fund.
The Secretary for Housing, Planning and Lands is responsible for formulation of policies on housing, planning, lands and buildings. On the planning and lands side, the Secretary oversees the operation of four departments: Planning Department, Buildings Department, Lands Department, and Land Registry. The Secretary also oversees part of the work of the Civil Engineering and Development Department and Electrical and Mechanical Services Department.
Planning Work
The Planning Department is responsible for preparing the different types of town. plans which contain guidelines for the proper use and development of land with the aim of making Hong Kong a better place in which to live and work. These plans provide a wide range of development strategies for the entire territory as well as for individual districts. The bureau also keeps under constant review the Town Planning Ordinance and the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines.
The Town Planning Ordinance
The existing Town Planning Ordinance was enacted in 1939 and is revised from time to time to meet the needs of Hong Kong's changing social and economic environment. The latest amendments, which came into force on June 10, 2005 were made to streamline the planning process and plan approval procedures, enhance the openness and transparency of the planning system and to strengthen planning controls in the rural New Territories.
Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines
The Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) are part of a government manual of criteria for determining the scale, location and site requirements of various land uses and facilities applicable to planning studies, town plans and development control. They are constantly under review to take account of changes in government policies, demographic characteristics and social and economic trends. During the year, the planning standards and guidelines for pre-primary services and public mortuaries, recreational facilities, and parking standards for cars and bicycles in residential developments were revised. A new set of planning standards and guidelines on air ventilation was also incorporated into the HKPSG.
Territorial Development Strategy
The Territorial Development Strategy is the blueprint for the future development of Hong Kong. It provides a broad planning framework for land use, transport and the environment across the entire territory. It also serves as a basis for the preparation of sub-regional plans and the more detailed district plans.
The latest review is being carried out under the 'Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy' study, which assesses Hong Kong's future development needs over a longer period and from a wider regional perspective. The study comprises four
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