ENG-2013 — Page 231

Chapter 12

Infrastructure Development and Heritage Conservation

The government continues to promote economic and community development through investment in infrastructure, land-use planning, urban renewal, greening and heritage conservation.

Organisational Framework

The Development Bureau consists of two policy branches: Planning and Lands Branch, and Works Branch.

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 concerning increasing land supply through reclamation outside the Victoria Harbour and rock cavern development, developing a new core business district in Kowloon East, greening and tree management, water supply, slope safety, lifts and escalators safety, flood prevention, promotion of professional services, construction manpower resources, workers' registration 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, which helps co-ordination and the resolution of inter-departmental issues relating to infrastructure development at an early stage.

The Development Bureau is also responsible for the government's heritage conservation work and striking a balance between development and conservation. The government's heritage

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