The Chief Executive announced in his 1999 Policy
Address the setting up of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) to replace
the Land Development Corporation and to expedite urban renewal.
The URA was established in May 2001 to undertake a 20-year urban
renewal programme. In November 2001, the Government promulgated
the Urban Renewal Strategy (URS) after wide public consultation,
setting out the policy guidelines for the URA in the implementation
of the urban renewal programme.
The purpose of urban renewal is to improve the
environment of the older urban areas and the living conditions of
the residents therein through a comprehensive and holistic approach
comprising the redevelopment of dilapidated buildings, the promotion
of the rehabilitation of older buildings, the revitalisation of
old districts and the preservation of buildings of historical, cultural
or architectural interest.
The Government has put in place a financial support
package for the URA to enable it to launch the urban renewal programme
on a sound financial footing. In May 2002, the Executive Council
approved in principle land grants at nominal premium for urban renewal
sites. The Finance Committee of the Legislative Council also approved
in June 2002 a commitment of $10 billion for equity injection into
the URA in phases from 2002-03 to 2006-07. A total of $6 billion
has been injected into the URA by year-end.
To facilitate the implementation of the urban
renewal programme, the Housing, Planning and Lands Bureau keeps
under close review the delivery of the programme in the annual examination
of the URA's five-year Corporate Plan and annual Business Plan;
provides the necessary support and policy guidance to the URA; monitors
and facilitates the implementation of individual projects, including
vetting development projects having regard to any objections raised
under the statute; oversees land resumption and clearance exercises
to be undertaken by the Lands Department; and will review the URS
regularly to take account of the community's changing needs.
The Planning Department supports the operation
of the URA from the planning perspective so as to optimise the community
benefits of URA projects and to ensure compliance with the statutory
planning requirements. The department undertakes planning studies
to assist in the formulation and review of the URS and has developed
a comprehensive geographical information system to allow for the
sharing of information on building conditions among various government
departments for the purpose of drawing up and updating the rehabilitation
and urban renewal programme. In addition, the department is involved
in processing development schemes and master layout plans submitted
by the URA for the Town Planning Board's consideration; and coordinating
the provision of infrastructure, government, institution or community
facilities and open space in URA projects.
The URA has made steady progress in taking forward
a comprehensive urban renewal programme. By November, it has launched
17 redevelopment projects, six of which are carried out by the Hong
Kong Housing Society (HKHS) under the URA/HKHS strategic partnership
in urban renewal. The URA has also continued with its voluntary
building rehabilitation schemes whereby material incentives, technical
assistance, loan and grants are provided to owners of old buildings
to encourage them to undertake maintenance. The URA is also planning
and implementing a number of revitalisation projects including one
outside Western Market to renew the environment and economic fabric
of old districts.
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