Planning Department 35th Anniversary

Establishment of PlanD under the then Planning, Environment and Lands Branch, amalgamating all the planning functions previously carried out by the then Town Planning Office, the Strategic Planning Unit and various development offices of the then
Territory Development Department

Completed the Kowloon Density Study, providing a framework for development density controls in different areas of Kowloon

Established the Central Enforcement and Prosecution Section,
for taking planning enforcement and prosecution actions against unauthorised developments

Conducted large-scale integrated planning and development studies for the New Territories Northwest and Northeast areas to support the Long Term Housing Strategy

Commenced the first Feasibility Study for Additional Cross-border Links to strengthen transport link with the Pearl River Delta

Completed the Study on the Ecological Value of Fish Ponds in the Deep Bay Area, and subsequently revised the planning guideline in relation to developments within Deep Bay Area in 1999

Introduced “Residential (Group E)” zone to help phase out existing industrial areas through redevelopment or conversion

Completed the Study on Sustainable Development for the 21st Century to formulate relevant sustainable development indicators to evaluate policy recommendations

Commenced Area Assessments of Industrial Land in the Territory to periodically study the market needs for economic land uses

PlanD, Buildings Department and Lands Department promulgated a Joint Practice Note to encourage the design and construction of green buildings

Promulgated the first Urban Design Guidelines

Formulated Air Ventilation Assessment Methodology and Design Guidelines

Facilitated the formulation of Harbour Planning Guidelines for the sustainable planning, development and management of
Victoria Harbour and its harbour-front areas

Completed the Planning Study on the Coordinated Development of the Greater Pearl River Delta Townships, the first strategic planning study undertaken jointly by Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao

Commenced reviews of vacant school premises sites periodically to recommend suitable long-term uses

Prepared Outline Zoning Plans (OZPs) for Kwu Tung North / Fanling North New Development Areas (NDAs), and subsequently prepared OZPs for Hung Shui Kiu / Ha Tsuen NDA and San Tin Technopole
in 2017 and 2023

Completed the Review of Kai Tak Development to increase office and housing supply

Completed the Study on Existing Profile and Operation of Brownfield Sites in the New Territories, and subsequently revised the planning guideline in relation to open storage and port back-up uses in 2020

Forging ahead the planning work for Northern Metropolis and Kau Yi Chau Artificial Islands

Promulgated planning guideline as a tool for plot ratio transfer between sites (Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok area as pilot) to incentivise the market so as to speed up urban regeneration

Amended the Town Planning Ordinance, to streamline statutory procedures and strengthen enforcement power in the rural New Territories through the designation of “Regulated Areas”