ENG-2016 — Page 250

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Planning, Land and Infrastructure

The office's Satellite Positioning Reference Station Network provides data for positioning applications in mapping, construction works, navigation, land use planning and scientific research. During the year, the service was enhanced to support various satellite positioning applications within the territory using multi-constellation Global Navigation Satellite Systems, including China's Beidou Navigation Satellite System.

The office operates the GeoInfo Map, which offers the public convenient access to digital maps and geospatial information provided by various departments through the internet. It also offers MyMapHK, a mobile map application which provides on-the-go access to the department's digital maps and community facilities via their mobile devices. In 2016, the office launched another new mobile map app, VoiceMapHK, which is a digital inclusion mapping service helping users, in particular the visually impaired, to identify their locations and retrieve geographic information about the surrounding area through voice-overs.

The SMO continues to supply new types of i-Series digital maps. These offer more comprehensive data sets and modernised formats. Users get to define their areas of interests to save themselves the trouble of combining discrete tiles of digital maps into one single file.

Building Safety and Maintenance

Ensuring the safety of Hong Kong's ageing building stock is one of the bureau's key areas of work. It works with the Buildings Department and partner organisations to enhance building safety.

Applying the principle that prevention is better than cure, Mandatory Building and Window Inspection Schemes under the department tackle building decay at its root by requiring owners of target buildings to inspect and repair their buildings and windows. In 2016, the department issued statutory notices to 1,644 buildings. The Minor Works Control System adopts simplified statutory procedures to regulate small-scale building works, with 135,187 minor works submissions received in 2016 compared with 115,832 in 2015.

The Buildings Department, the URA and the Hong Kong Housing Society provide a number of schemes to help building owners carry out repairs and maintenance. In 2016, over $523 million. was granted in the form of subsidies or loans to eligible property owners.

The URA's new 'Smart Tender' Building Rehabilitation Facilitating Services pilot scheme provides technical support to building owners in carrying out repairs and maintenance to reduce the risk of bid rigging during procurement. The technical help includes providing a DIY toolkit to guide owners in organising the works; engaging an adviser to offer independent advice to them on the scope and estimated cost for reference; and setting up an electronic tendering platform for them to conduct their works tendering process of engaging contractors in a relatively independent environment.

On enforcement, the Buildings Department has various measures in place to enhance the effectiveness of its actions against unauthorised building works (UBWs). In 2016, the department stepped up enforcement against unauthorised signboards, including carrying out large-scale street operations and applying for priority demolition orders against large signboards. It took

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