ENG-2008 — Page 265

Chapter 12

Infrastructure Development and Heritage Conservation

The Government will continue promoting economic development through infrastructure projects, and community development through the revitalisation of historic and built heritage.

Organisational Framework

The Development Bureau was established on July 1, 2007 following the reorganisation of the Government Secretariat's Policy Bureaux. It consists of two policy branches: Planning and Lands, and Works.

The Planning and Lands Branch is responsible for policy governing planning, development, land use and supply, urban renewal, building safety, and land registration. Its policy objectives are to facilitate Hong Kong's continual development through effective planning and use of land, a steady and sufficient supply of land, efficient registration of land, promoting and ensuring building safety and timely maintenance, and expediting urban renewal. The Works Branch is responsible for formulating public works policies and co-ordinating and monitoring the implementation of public works projects. It also takes charge of policy matters on greening, water supply, slope safety, and flood prevention as well as heritage

conservation.

The Development Bureau oversees the Planning Department, Lands Department, Buildings Department, Land Registry, Architectural Services Department, Civil Engineering and Development Department, Drainage Services Department, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, and Water Supplies Department. The reorganisation of these nine government departments under one roof ensures more efficient co-ordination and resolution of interdepartmental issues relating to infrastructure development at an early stage.

The Development Bureau is also responsible for enhancing the Government's heritage conservation work and for striking a balance between development and conservation. The Government's heritage conservation policy and initiatives were

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