ENG-2016 — Page 246

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Planning, Land and Infrastructure

Public Sector

The Architectural Services Department develops and upkeeps most government buildings and public facilities, other than public housing. It takes into account the views and suggestions of stakeholders in improving barrier-free features at government facilities. In 2016, the department started construction of 37 projects. It completed 31 projects, including the West Kowloon Law Courts Building, Tin Shui Wai Hospital, and a public library and indoor recreation centre in Yuen Long.

Government projects won a number of local and international awards in 2016, including awards from the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, HK Quality Building Award, HK Green Building Award, HK Institute of Landscape Architects, HK Institute of Urban Design, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (HK) and Architects Regional Council Asia.

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. 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.

A Built Heritage Conservation Fund was set up in 2016 to subsidise public education, community involvement and publicity activities, as well as academic research. The fund also subsidises certain existing government measures on built heritage conservation.

As at end-2016, eight projects launched under the Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme of the Commissioner for Heritage's Office (CHO) of the bureau had started operation. Four other projects were expected to be completed in 2017 and 2018, while preparation for another three projects was in progress, with the renovation works expected to end by 2019. The CHO also launched projects on four government-owned historic buildings in 2016. Separately, the government partnered with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Musketeers Education and Culture Charitable Foundation and its partners to revitalise the Central Police Station Compound and the former Police Married Quarters on Hollywood Road respectively.

In the private domain, the CHO and the Antiquities and Monuments Office closely monitor any works or development of declared monuments and graded historic buildings and proactively engage owners of historic buildings to discuss preservation options. To help owners maintain their premises, the CHO approved grants for maintenance works at nine privately owned graded historic buildings in 2016. It also expanded the scope of the Financial Assistance for Maintenance Scheme and raised the grant ceiling from $1 million to $2 million for each works project.

Restoration and repair works were carried out on the former Kowloon British School in Tsim Sha Tsui and the residence of Ip Ting-sz in Sha Tau Kok. Archaeological investigations were

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