Planning, Land and Infrastructure
Chapter 12 Planning, Land and Infrastructure To meet the needs of the community and sustain Hong Kong’s position as a leading cosmopolitan city in Asia, the government continues to make timely investment in building new infrastructure and improving existing facilities. The government is also committed to enriching the city’s living environment through effective land use planning, urban renewal, greening and heritage conservation. Organisational Framework The Development Bureau consists of two policy branches: the Planning and Lands Branch, and the Works Branch. The Planning and Lands Branch is responsible for 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 is responsible for formulating public works policies and co-ordinating and monitoring the implementation of public works projects. It also takes charge of policy matters concerning the increase of land supply through reclamation outside Victoria Harbour and rock cavern development, the development of a new core business district in Kowloon East, greening and tree management, water supply, slope safety, lift and escalator safety, flood prevention, promotion of professional services, construction manpower resources, workers’ registration as well as heritage conservation. The Development Bureau oversees the departments of Architectural Services, Buildings, Civil Engineering and Development, Drainage Services, Electrical and Mechanical Services, Lands, Planning, and Water Supplies, as well as the Land Registry, which helps to co-ordinate and resolve inter-departmental issues relating to infrastructure development at an early stage.
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