After the delivery of the Policy Address, six professional institutes, namely the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects, the Hong Kong Institute of Planners, the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors and the Hong Kong Institute of Urban Design (in no particular order), held a joint forum, reflecting that the six institutes have attached great importance to the housing and land supply policies stated in the Policy Address. They in general support the measures mentioned in the Policy Address, and at the same time propose a total of eight consensus suggestions.
The Development Bureau (DEVB) has always been seeking advice from different sectors, including professional bodies, in formulating policies and designing plans. And the six professional institutes have been giving their objective and professional views generously on the issue of Hong Kong urban planning and development for the Government's reference.
As the six professional institutes are involved in different aspects of planning and development, their consensus views on the housing and land supply policies stated in the Policy Address are invaluable. My colleagues in the DEVB and I will humbly listen to their views and take appropriate follow-up action.
One of the eight consensus suggestions they made concerns the rezoning of Government, Institution or Community (GIC) sites, and it became a focus of the media. I would like to quote from the suggestion: "we consider that the Government should be cautious in changing GIC sites to residential use, such that the future need of GIC sites, the quality of urban space and the quality of life are not compromised." We fully understand this kind reminder.
Let me explain that the DEVB will be cautious in handling the task of rezoning GIC sites for residential development. The task will be put under thorough feasibility analysis by professional departments, and various bureaux and departments will be consulted. Different professional colleagues within the Government will provide objective and thorough opinions during this process. Afterwards, we will consult the relevant local communities and obtain approval from the Town Planning Board (TPB). In examining the rezoning applications, the TPB will consider the representations and comments from members of the public according to the statutory procedures and make careful decisions. Moreover, as the whole planning task is an ongoing process, the Government will refine the planning suggestions according to the prevailing social situation and the community's aspirations.
In reviewing whether a site is suitable for residential development, we will consider a number of factors, such as whether the originally intended use of the GIC or government site to be rezoned is not required anymore, whether there is already a definite development plan and whether it is left vacant or not in optimised use. We will also consult relevant departments on the need to continue to reserve the site or retain the facilities. At the same time, we will make reference to the standard requirements of the provision of community facilities specified in the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines to ensure that the community facilities required in the district will not be affected. Moreover, we will take into account the site location, local circumstances, transportation, the environment and leisure and community facilities, as well as the urban design and other relevant factors, in a comprehensive manner. We will also avoid in-fill needle-type residential developments to ensure that no adverse effect will be caused to the community when rezoning the site. If necessary, we will identify another site to accommodate the affected facilities or relocate them to a complex building or integrate them with other facilities.
Some of the institutes suggest utilising the "disposed sites" close to urban areas, rezoning some large sites accommodating government facilities in fringe areas or relocating some of these government facilities to newly developed areas. My colleagues in the DEVB and I will take a careful look at these suggestions. We are pleased to see that the institutes have put forward specific proposals, and we will give due consideration to them. I would like to express my gratitude again to the six institutes for devoting their efforts and time in giving advice on Hong Kong's housing and land supply policies and taking up the role as the thought leader to assist the community in engaging in informed debates to choose the right path of urban planning and development for Hong Kong.
17 February, 2013
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