ENG-2009 — Page 289

Infrastructure Development and Heritage Conservation | 225

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

The Urban Renewal Strategy (URS) provides guidelines for the URA to carry out its work. In 2008, the Development Bureau launched a comprehensive review of the URA's work to take into account changing circumstances and public aspirations. A steering committee chaired by the Secretary for Development, consisting of 10 leading members of the community, was set up to guide and monitor the review and to invite public participation in it. The review is expected to be completed in mid-2010.

The URA adopts a '4R' approach to bringing new life to old urban areas: redeveloping dilapidated buildings, rehabilitating old buildings, revitalising old districts, and preserving buildings with historical, cultural or architectural value.

By the end of 2009, the URA and its partner, the Hong Kong Housing Society, were carrying out 37 redevelopment projects and four preservation projects, and were making good progress in redeveloping Kwun Tong Town Centre, the largest project being handled by the URA so far. The URA continued to work closely with the Old Wan Chai Revitalisation Initiatives Special Committee and successfully opened two heritage trails in Wan Chai. The special committee is also working with a private property developer to revitalise some of old Wan Chai's streets.

Central Market, a Grade III historical building built in 1939, is to be transformed into a 'Central Oasis' comprising public open space, eateries and an atrium for holding of public events. Central's business district is expected to benefit most from it. Revitalising Central Market is one of the eight initiatives announced by the Chief Executive in his 2009 Policy Address for 'Conserving Central'.

Heritage Conservation

Heritage Conservation Policy and New Initiatives

Since the announcement of the new heritage conservation policy and a package of initiatives to promote heritage conservation in October 2007, the Development Bureau has made good progress on various fronts:

In the Government domain:

(a) Six non-profit-making organisations were selected under Batch I of the 'Revitalising Historic Buildings through Partnership Scheme' to revitalise six historic buildings. The buildings are: the Old Tai O Police Station, the Fong Yuen Study Hall, Lai Chi Kok Hospital, Lui Seng Chun, Mei Ho House and North Kowloon Magistracy;

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(b) Batch Il was launched in August. Under it, proposals were invited for revitalising five historic buildings: the Old Tai Po Police Station, the Blue House Cluster, Fanling Magistracy, the Old House at Wong Uk Village, and Stone Houses;