ENG-2008 — Page 277

Infrastructure Development and Heritage Conservation 221

The Buildings Department continued to promote timely maintenance and enforce repair of dilapidated buildings. In 2008, 927 building repair orders were issued and repairs to 1 060 buildings were completed. On the elimination of unauthorised building works (UBWs), the department continued to undertake a multi-pronged strategy to remove UBWs through enforcement action against UBWs. that pose an imminent danger or health hazard, curbing the construction of new UBWS, and public education to encourage building owners not to construct building works illegally.

Major Actions Against UBWs

During the year, 25 804 reported cases of UBWs were dealt with, 32 847 orders requiring their removal were issued and 47 593 UBWs were removed. Prosecutions of offenders for failing to comply with removal orders totalled 3 091. A total of 3 003 cases were adjudicated, resulting in 2 163 convictions with fines totalling $6.92 million.

To tackle the problem of existing UBWs, the Buildings Department continued its 'blitz' clearance operations, demolishing in one go all UBWs including large glass. panel external walls, large TV screens, large signboards and UBWs on cantilevered slab balconies in some 1 579 buildings in 2008. The programme to remove illegal rooftop structures on single staircase buildings also continued, with illegal rooftop structures on 632 such buildings removed in 2008.

To raise community awareness of liability issues caused by UBWS, the Buildings. Department issued 8 272 statutory warning notices for registration against property title in respect of UBWs. In a bid to stop the erection of new UBWs, the department commissioned private consultants as special patrol teams to investigate within 48 hours of receiving reports from the public about UBWs under construction. During the year, the department handled 4 009 reported cases.

Urban Renewal

The policy objective of urban renewal is to improve the living conditions of residents in older urban areas while endeavouring to preserve their local character and social network.

The Development Bureau formulates policy on urban renewal and provides support and policy guidance to the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), which was established in May 2001 to undertake urban renewal.

The Urban Renewal Strategy (URS), published by the Government in November 2001, sets out the policy guidelines for the URA's work. To reflect changing circumstances and public aspirations, the Development Bureau launched a root-and- branch review of the URS in July 2008. A steering committee, chaired by the Secretary for Development and consisting of ten prominent members of the community, was set up to guide and monitor the whole review process and facilitate public participation.