The Territorial Development Strategy (TDS) is the highest tier in the hierarchy of town planning in Hong Kong. It provides a broad land use, transport and environmental framework for the planning and development of Hong Kong. It also serves as a basis for preparation of sub-regional planning statements and more detailed district plans.

          A comprehensive review of TDS began in 1990 with a view to formulating a new land use framework to sustain Hong Kong's status as an international city and business hub and, in particular, to maintain and enhance its image as an attractive place for people to live and work. It also took account of development trends in South China, especially in the Pearl River Delta Region.

          The review consisted of three main streams of work: sectoral studies including identification of goals and objectives, key issues and evaluation criteria; the generation and evaluation of development options; and the formulation of long- and medium-term development strategies. Two rounds of public consultation were carried out : one in 1993 to seek public views on the goals/objectives and strategic development options and the other in 1996 on the recommended long-term and medium-term strategies. After taking into account the public views, the review's final recommendations were set out in a Final Executive Report published in March 1998.