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Planning, Land and Infrastructure

mitigates the potential social impact as far as practicable. The Development Bureau formulates policy on urban renewal and oversees the work of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA), a statutory body established to undertake urban renewal.

Under the 2011 Urban Renewal Strategy, the URA may respond to a joint approach from building owners to initiate redevelopment of their buildings through a new 'demand-led' scheme. As at 31 December 2014, the URA had received 110 applications and commenced 10 redevelopment projects (including two which were ended after failing to achieve the required 80 per cent owners' acceptance). After reviewing the scheme, in December 2014 the URA announced its revised application requirements and scoring criteria. Apart from the 'demand-led' scheme, the URA may also help owners assemble titles for joint sale of their properties for redevelopment under a 'facilitation' scheme. In December 2014, the 'facilitation' scheme was extended to cover commercial buildings and industrial buildings within non-industrial zones.

The Kowloon City District Urban Renewal Forum submitted an Urban Renewal Plan of Kowloon City to the government in January 2014 is being considered.

The $500 million independent Urban Renewal Trust Fund provides funding support to social service teams appointed to provide assistance and advice to residents affected by URA-redevelopment projects. The fund's Urban Renewal Heritage Preservation and District Revitalisation Funding Scheme, launched in 2012, has approved seven projects proposed by the community.

Building Development

Private Sector

In 2014, work started on superstructures at 124 building sites, covering a gross floor area of 1.22 million square metres. A total of 468 such buildings, with a total gross floor area of 1.91 million square metres, were completed at a total cost of $43 billion, compared with 679 buildings, with a gross floor area of 1.47 million square metres, built at a total cost of $31.4 billion, in 2013.

Major new construction works completed in 2014 included Science Park Phase 3.

Public Sector

The government develops and upkeeps most government buildings and public facilities (other than public housing) through the Architectural Services Department (ArchSD). ArchSD completed 35 projects in 2014, including the District Open Space, Sports Centre cum Library in Tseung Kwan O and parks and open space projects in the Kai Tak Development Area, Kowloon City and Tin Shui Wai.

In 2014, ArchSD commenced construction of 10 projects, including hospital redevelopment and environmental hygiene facilities. ArchSD also completed the enhancement of accessibility to over 2,500 government buildings and facilities.

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