Director's Message

It has been 20 years since the Planning Department was set up in 1990. Looking back, the scope and practice of planning have changed considerably during this period. We have a more transparent and fair planning system in which community engagement has become a very significant component. This is in step with the community’s aspirations for a more participatory planning process and its increasing concern about the future development of our city. Our work also continues to support the Government’s commitment to improve the quality of the environment and the trend of regional integration with neighbouring cities in the Greater Pearl River Delta region.

During the year, we completed the second stage of public engagement on the Study on the Frontier Closed Area (FCA). In conjunction with the Civil Engineering and Development Department (CEDD), we also continued with the Study on the New Development Areas (NDAs) developments in the Northeast New Territories with the second stage of community engagement beginning toward the end of 2009. In both studies, we have paid particular attention to cultural heritage preservation and regeneration as well as nature conservation. Ideas were invited from the community as well as experts on how to make optimal use of such resources. Public forums, briefings, workshops and direct and interactive dialogue were held extensively. The FCA and NDAs studies are expected to be completed in 2010 and 2011 respectively.

In improving local areas, consultants have been commissioned to carry out feasibility studies on the Lau Fau Shan Rural Township and the Surrounding Areas as well as the Enhancement of the Sha Tau Kok Rural Township and the Surrounding Areas. The Area Improvement Plan for the Shopping Area of Mong Kok was completed with proposals being followed up by the Urban Renewal Authority and the relevant government departments. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong Island East Harbour-front Study – Feasibility Study has begun. Public envisioning involving the District Council, drawing competitions, and workshops have been carried out. Stage 1 of the public engagement was successfully completed and detailed feasibility study would be made. After almost 3 years of study and extensive public engagement in the study process, we are finalising the Urban Design Study for the New Central Harbourfront. According to the illustrative master layout plan for the new harbour area, a two-kilometre continuous waterfront promenade at the new harbourfront and 11 hectares of public open space will be provided. An integrated pedestrian walkway system has also been devised to enhance the connectivity from the hinterland to the waterfront and to bring people to the harbourfront.

To follow up with the recommendation of the HK 2030 Study on strengthening links with the Mainland, a number of tasks have been started or completed during the year. We are currently carrying out the 2009 Cross Boundary Travel Survey. This is a biennial exercise to help us find out more about the general patterns of cross-boundary trips, the socio-economic characteristics of trip makers and commuting patterns. Apart from providing input to the cross-boundary transport model, the information obtained will be useful for the planning of cross-boundary infrastructure facilities and strategic planning purposes. A study on the future development of the Lok Ma Chau Loop, a joint effort of the Hong Kong SAR Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government, also started in June 2009. It is intended to develop the site for higher education uses supplemented by research and development as well as creative industries. In August, we published the findings of the ‘Survey on Hong Kong People living in Shenzhen 2008’. The survey, which was conducted in collaboration with the Shenzhen’s Statistics Bureau, throws light on the number, socio-economic characteristics and cross-boundary commuting patterns of Hong Kong people residing in Shenzhen. We organised a seminar on Regional Planning in the Greater Pearl River Delta in September. It was well attended by officials, academics and experts from Hong Kong, Macao and Guangdong. The findings of three studies related to regional rail, road and water-borne transport commissioned by the department were also promulgated at the seminar. In October, the findings of the Planning Study on the Co-ordinated Development of the Pearl River Delta Townships were made public. It is a strategic planning study jointly undertaken by Hong Kong, Guangdong and Macao, which is the first of its kind. It provides a useful framework and reference for the three governments on the future development of the Greater Pearl River Delta as a world-class city region.

In line with the principle of sustainable development, we have continued reviewing the outline zoning plans which is intended to refine the development parameters and address public concerns on ‘wall-like’ buildings and visual impact, etc.  This is a challenging task where we need to balance the aspirations of the community and to optimise the use of scarce land resources in Hong Kong.  The exercise involves public representation procedures where all stakeholder interests were brought out for discussion in a transparent manner.  Air ventilation assessments are now an integral part of the statutory plan review process and provide input for deriving development parameters for major new sites.  We are also in the process of devising an Urban Climate Map and studying its relationship with urban built forms to address possible environmental concerns of densely developed areas.

In the rural New Territories, we have stepped up our enforcement action against unauthorised land filling activities in areas with high ecological and conservation value; for example, in the Ho Sheung Heung and Luk Keng areas, we have issued statutory notices to the concerned parties to require the discontinuance of the unauthorised development operation and followed by reinstatement notices requiring restoration of the green amenity of the affected areas.

To keep abreast of the development and application of information and multi-media technologies, we have developed new tools for 3-dimensional simulation and visualisation in urban design in carrying out planning studies and evaluation of proposed projects. We have also pressed ahead with the application of mobile access technology and improvement to the use of the internet and Geographical Information System (GIS) technologies on all territorial fronts as well as district planning work.

An important venue where we meet the public, apart from the annual outreach programme under which we give talks and hold exhibitions for secondary schools, is the Planning and Infrastructure Exhibition Gallery at the Annex to the Low Block of City Hall. To enhance our current service, we will take up the entire Annex and renovation work is expected to be completed in mid-2012. To maintain our present service, we have moved to an Interim Gallery on the ground floor of the Murray Road Multi-storey Car Park Building. Interim though it is, we have made it as interesting and interactive as possible.

We have been kept extremely busy throughout the year. I am, however, most fortunate to have the highly reliable support of my colleagues at all times. With their professionalism and dedication, we have been able to deliver the services we pledged to provide. To all of them, I would like to extend my gratitude and I am confident that the department will be able to meet new challenges in the next 20 years.

Mrs. Ava S. Y. TSE NG
Director of Planning