ENG-2020 — Page 228

Chapter 13

Planning, Land and Infrastructure

To meet the needs of the community and maintain Hong Kong's leading edge as a financial and business centre both globally and within the region, the government invests in infrastructure development and is committed to providing a better living environment through effective land use planning, urban renewal,

greening and heritage conservation.

The Development Bureau consists of two policy branches: the Planning and Lands Branch and the Works Branch.

The Planning and Lands Branch draws up policies governing planning, development, land use and supply, urban renewal, building safety and land registration. Its policy objectives are to facilitate Hong Kong's continual development through effective planning and use of land, a steady and sufficient supply of land, a facilitative building plan approval system, efficient registration of land, promotion and regulation of building safety and timely maintenance, and expedition of urban renewal.

The Works Branch formulates public works policies and coordinates and monitors public works projects. It also oversees policy on a range of other matters, including increasing land supply through reclamation outside Victoria Harbour, and rock cavern and underground space development; the development of Lantau and a second core business district (CBD2) in Kowloon East; greening and tree management; water supply; slope safety; lift and escalator safety; flood prevention; the promotion of professional services; the construction industry; and heritage conservation.

The bureau oversees the Land Registry and the departments of Architectural Services, Buildings, Civil Engineering and Development, Drainage Services, Electrical and Mechanical Services, Lands, Planning, and Water Supplies.

Planning

Strategic Planning

The government is updating the territorial development strategy under the study titled 'Hong Kong 2030+: Towards a Planning Vision and Strategy Transcending 2030' to guide planning, land

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