ENG-2015 — Page 240

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Planning, Land and Infrastructure

recommended adopting a cautious approach by retaining the existing zoning of most industrial areas.

Building Development

Private Sector

In 2015, work started on superstructures at 147 building sites, covering a gross floor area of 2.51 million sq m. Altogether 623 such buildings, with a total gross floor area of 1.90 million sq m, were completed at a total cost of $50 billion, compared with 468 buildings, with a gross floor area of 1.91 million sq m, built at a total cost of $43 billion in 2014.

Public Sector

The government develops and upkeeps most government buildings and public facilities, other than public housing, through the Architectural Services Department. The department completed 33 projects in 2015, including relocation of the Court of Final Appeal, swimming pool complexes, schools, community green stations, government offices, an ambulance depot, a fire services training school and an open space project.

During the year, the department started construction of 20 projects, including buildings and associated facilities at boundary control points, schools, staff quarters and a joint-user complex with an indoor recreation centre, a community hall and other facilities providing public services. The department took into account the views and suggestions of stakeholders in continuously improving barrier-free features at government facilities.

Government projects won a number of local and international awards in 2015. The PMQ creative industries landmark received awards from the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, the Hong Kong Institute of Planners and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (HK) in recognition of its excellence by different professional disciplines.

Built Heritage Conservation

The government's heritage conservation policy is to protect, conserve and revitalise as appropriate historical and heritage sites and buildings through relevant and sustainable approaches for the benefit and enjoyment of present and future generations. In implementing this policy, due regard is given to development needs in the public interest, respect for private property rights, budgetary considerations, cross-sector collaboration and the active engagement of stakeholders and the public.

By the end of 2015, eight projects launched under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme of the Commissioner for Heritage's Office (CHO) of the Development Bureau had started operation. Works in progress on four other projects were expected to be completed in 2016 and 2017, and pre-works preparation for a further three projects was in progress and renovation works were expected to be completed by 2019. The government also partnered with non-profit-making organisations to revitalise selected historic buildings, including the Central Police Station Compound with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, and the former Police Married Quarters on Hollywood Road with the Musketeers Education and Culture

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