These strategies provide a bridge between territorial and local planning. They translate the territorial goals into more specific planning objectives for the five sub-regions of Hong Kong, namely the Metro Area, North-East New Territories, North-West New Territories, South-East New Territories and South-West New Territories.

To take forward the recommendations of the Territorial Development Strategy, a review of all the five sub-regional development strategies has been conducted to explore and examine the need and feasibility of additional opportunities for new homes, offices, factories, supporting community services as well as the necessary infrastructural facilities. The reviews of the Metroplan, North East, North West, South East and South West New Territories Development Strategies have been completed.

The latest round of territorial planning, the Study on Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy, which is still ongoing, has revealed that the trend of population growth could be significantly lower than earlier postulated. At the same time, the social and economic interactions with the Mainland are becoming more intensified. These changes have prompted the need for a more critical review of the timing for the earlier identified new development areas as well as the possible mix of uses.

Within the Metro Area, greater planning efforts are now focused on local area improvements, particularly for the older urban core and the harbour-front, with a view to improving the quality of the environment. For this purpose, several planning studies have been launched, including the preparation of Pedestrian Plans for Causeway Bay and Central District and an Area Improvement Plan for Tsim Sha Tsui. Meanwhile, the Government is also working closely with the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee, a newly established advisory committee comprising the representatives from a wide range of community interest, to review the Harbour Plan.