ENG-2015 — Page 244

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Planning, Land and Infrastructure

and other related issues. The registry is awaiting their feedback while continuing with preparatory work for the introduction of a land titles registration system.

Survey, Mapping and Geospatial Information Service

The Lands Department's Survey and Mapping Office (SMO) provides survey and mapping services to support land administration and infrastructure development, and develops maps of different themes to meet the public's needs, such as conventional topographic maps, countryside maps and guide books. It carries out land boundary surveys and maintains a geodetic survey network. The SMO's Satellite Positioning Reference Station Network and Land Information System enable it to carry out survey and mapping activities more efficiently. The SMO also provides support to the Land Survey Authority to administer the Land Survey Ordinance, which governs the registration and conduct of Authorised Land Surveyors and land boundary survey standards.

The Satellite Positioning Reference Station Network's data service supports positioning applications for mapping, construction works, navigation, land use planning and scientific research. In 2015, a new reference station was established at Shenzhen Bay Port to enhance the coverage and reliability of the data service. This helps users to determine positions to a high level of precision within the territory.

The SMO also operates the GeoInfo Map, a publicly accessible service which provides a convenient means of gaining access to digital maps and geospatial information provided by various departments through the internet. MyMapHK is a mobile map application which provides users with convenient on-the-go access to the department's digital maps and community facilities via their mobile devices.

In 2015, the SMO continued to launch new types of i-Series digital maps. These offer more comprehensive data sets and modernised formats. A seamless version allows users to define their areas of interest, so they can save themselves the trouble of combining discrete tiles of digital maps into one single file.

During the year, the SMO extended its map coverage to Guangdong with a Hong Kong and Guangdong Province Satellite Image Map. This is a mosaic map of 31 Landsat-8 satellite images of Guangdong and features names of prefectures, mountains, islands, major rivers and so on.

Building Safety and Maintenance

Ensuring the safety of Hong Kong's ageing building stock continued to be one of the Development Bureau's key areas of work in 2015. In this regard, the bureau joined hands with the Buildings Department and partner organisations to enhance building safety under a multi- pronged approach comprising legislation, enforcement, help and support to building owners, and publicity and public education.

Applying the principle that prevention is better than cure to building maintenance, the Mandatory Building and Window Inspection Schemes were launched in mid-2012 to tackle building decay at its root by requiring owners of target buildings to inspect and repair their buildings and windows regularly. In 2015, the department continued to follow up on buildings

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