ENG-2019 — Page 250

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Planning, Land and Infrastructure

registration. The registry also provides an email notification service named Property Alert to help property owners monitor any instruments delivered for registration against their properties.

Hong Kong adopts a deeds registration system. To enhance certainty of title and simplify conveyancing procedures, the Land Titles Ordinance has been enacted to provide for a title registration system which will come into effect after a comprehensive review is completed and the necessary amending legislation is passed. To speed up the process, the registry is seeking to implement title registration for newly granted land first, meaning land granted by the government after the start of the ordinance, and is working with key stakeholders to forge

consensus.

Survey, Mapping and Geospatial Information Service

The Lands Department's Survey and Mapping Office provides survey and mapping services to support land administration and infrastructure development, and develops maps in digital and printed formats with different themes to meet the public's needs, such as topographic maps, countryside maps and guide books. The office carries out land boundary surveys and provides photogrammetric and aerial survey services. It maintains a geodetic survey network and the Satellite Positioning Reference Station Network System, which form the essential positioning infrastructure in Hong Kong for applications in mapping, construction, navigation, land use planning and scientific research. The office operates the Land Information System to maintain updated digital maps and databases containing land information and geospatial data. It 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 office provides web map services to the public through the internet and mobile applications, including free maps with integrated information on government facilities. During the year, it carried out a soft launch of Map Application Programming Interface (API) services so that software developers can use government map services directly in their map-related applications.

The Hong Kong GeoData Store, as the alpha version of the Common Spatial Data Infrastructure portal, opened up 157 open spatial datasets in machine-readable formats together with an AP! to facilitate free download and use by the public. In December, 3D visualisation maps were published of Tsuen Wan, Kwai Tsing, Tai Po and North districts, providing photorealistic 3D models of the built environment.

The office participated in the government's Multifunctional Smart Lamp-post Pilot Scheme, installing smart positioning devices on smart lamp-posts to extend the existing positioning infrastructure to street level, particularly in urban canyon areas, to allow public access to accurate and reliable location-based applications.

Building Safety and Maintenance

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

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