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Sustainability and

Engineering Profession

(CON4433)

Lecture 4 Town Planning &

Urban Renewal

VTC 2013

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Content

Land Use in Hong Kong

Town Planning in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Planning Standards and

Guidelines (HKPSG)

Urban Living Space Issues

New Town Development

Urban Renewal

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Land Use

Space is the scarcest resource in Hong Kong and

competition for it has led to very high land prices.

Land use in

Agriculture

Industry

Commercial

Business zone concept

Residential

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Land Use in Agriculture

Approximate 6% of land can be considered as arable land.

The use of agricultural land has been affected by :

rapid urbanization and

economic pressures

Result :

brought changes to the rural community

1954 1979: 3,370 ha or 25% of agricultural land area is decreased

The value of land for agricultural is not economically comparison with industrial, commercial or residential usage.

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Land Use in Industry

Small and Light manufacturing industry is the major industry developed in Hong Kong.

The manufacturing activities used to be contained largely within the main urban areas.

Before 1970s: The smaller factories are found within the inner and older

urban districts. The larger factories are located in the newer urban districts.

Since early 1970s: government modified its industrial land policy to make land

available at low prices to industries employing a higher level of technology

In 1977, the Industrial Estates Corporation was founded, to develop and manage industrial estates

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Industrial Estates

A parcels of land should be assigned for the setting up of districts for small industries, within which multi-storey buildings are erected to house small industries.

Location of 3 industrial Estates: 1. Tai Po

2. Yuen Long

3. Tseung Kwan O

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Industrial Estates Tai Po

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Rezoning Business Zone

Concept

The Business zone is not intended to replace

either the Commercial (C) or Industrial (I) zone.

Business zone accommodates the clean industrial

and lower grade office/commercial uses

That NOT included: higher grade office/retail and hotel developments C Zone

conventional industrial activities I Zone

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Purpose of Town Planning in

HK

Town planning aims to promote: the health, safety, convenience and

general welfare of the community

It through the process of guiding and controlling the development and use of land,

to bring about a better organised, more efficient

more desirable place in which to live and work.

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Planning Organization and

Responsibilities

Before 1990 : The first planning unit in Hong Kong was established in the Public Works Department.

In 1990-now: the Planning Department was established amalgamating all the planning functions previously carried out by various offices, sections and units in Government department.

The Department is responsible for formulating, monitoring and reviewing urban and rural planning policies and associated programmes for the physical development of Hong Kong.

It deals with all types of planning and services the Town Planning Board.

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Hierarchy of Plans

Hong Kongs planning system is a three-tier planning system at three levels: territorial level,

sub-regional level and

district/local level.

Guiding the preparation of these plans is the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines.

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Territorial level

Aim : Strategy + Vision of land use

2 types of Territorial level plan

Territorial development strategy

Port development strategy

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Territorial Development

Strategy

This strategy provides:

a broad landuse-transport-environmental-planning

framework to guide future developments and

the provision of strategic infrastructure.

It also serves as the basis for the preparation of

sub-regional and district-plans.

e.g. Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy

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Sub-regional Level

Sub-regional development strategies are prepared to translate the territorial planning visions and strategies into more specific planning objectives

5 sub-regions of Hong Kong are set

1. the Metropolitan area,

2. the North-east New Territories,

3. the North-west New Territories,

4. the South-east New Territories and

5. the South-west New Territories

To provide a framework for more detailed district planning and work programmes.

e.g. Metroplan, Harbour Plan Study

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District/local Level

District plans are detailed land use plans

which translate the broad planning principles

identified in the territorial and sub-regional

levels

There are two types of district plans

Statutory plans

Department plans

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Statutory Plans

They are prepared by the Town Planning

Board (TPB) under the Town Planning

Ordinance.

There are two types:

outline zoning plans (OZPs) and

development permission area (DPA) plans

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Outline Zoning Plans (OZP)

It shows the proposed land uses and major road systems of an individual planning scheme area.

Areas covered by OZPs are zoned for uses such as residential, commercial, industrial, open space, government/institution/community uses, green belt, conservation areas, comprehensive development areas, village type development, open storage or other specified purposes.

Attached to each OZP is a Schedule of Notes showing

Column 1: the uses which are always permitted

Column 2: in a particular zone and other uses for which prior permission from TPB must be sought

http://www.ozp.tpb.gov.hk/default.aspx

http://www.ozp.tpb.gov.hk/default.aspx

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Development Permission Area

(DPA) Plans

To provide interim planning control and development guidance for rural areas in the NT

Within the DPAs, development without the necessary planning permission will constitute an unauthorized development and will be subject to enforcement.

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Departmental

Level

District

Level

Sub- Regional

Level

Territorial

Level

Hierarchy of plans - Summary

Territorial

Development

Plan

Port

Development

Plan

Sub-regional development plan

OZP and DPA Plan

Outline Development Plan

Layout Plan

Hong K

ong P

lannin

g

Stan

dard

s and G

uid

elines

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Hong Kong Planning Standards

and Guidelines (HKPSG)

The HKPSG is a policy document which sets out the provision standards, criteria for site reservation, locational factors and site requirements of various land uses. Chapter 1 Introduction

Chapter 2 Residential densities

Chapter 3 Community facilities

Chapter 4 Recreation, open space and greening

Chapter 5 Industry

Chapter 6 Retail facilities

Chapter 7 Utility services

Chapter 8 Internal transport facilities

Chapter 9 Environment

Chapter 10 Conservation

Chapter 11 Urban design guidelines

Chapter 12 Miscellaneous planning standards and guidelines

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Applicable of HKPSG

The HKPSG is applicable to the three tiers of land use planning in Hong Kong. At the territorial planning level:

the HKPSG can be applied to determine the total land requirements for various uses and their distribution according to long term projections.

At the sub-regional level: the HKPSG is used to estimate the broad land use requirements

of the sub-region concerned and their allocation between districts.

At the district level: the HKPSG is mainly applied to identify specific areas and sites

for individual land uses and facilities and their orderly arrangements.

It is also used in the preparation of development statements for special areas and planning briefs for large scale development projects.

They are applicable to both the urban and rural areas.

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Issue of Urban Living Space in HK

High population density

Population congestion

Urban decay

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Population Density and

Congestion

Population density:

Average: 6,000 people/square kilometer (km)

In some districts, 40,000 to 50,000 people per square km.

Reason: fast-growing populations,

Cause:

lead to congestion and overcrowding

Implicate for the natural environment

also for our long-term economic competitiveness, our

social networks and public health.

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Urban Decay

large number of old commercial and

residential buildings which located on

Shamshuipo, Yaumatei and Western

These communities are:

poor quality housing

poor amenities to residents

offer few opportunities for social or economic

development.

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How can we create high quality

urban living space in Hong Kong?

Urban redevelopment,

Urban revitalisation

New town/New urban development

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Development Concept in HK

In new town:

to provide a balanced and self-contained community

provision of infrastructure and community facilities.

In rural townships,

the major focus is to improve and supplement existing infrastructure and community facilities

provide village flood protection schemes.

In new major developments in the urban area:

new land will be formed to allow growth,

to decant existing population

to provide or upgrade facilities to enable the re-development of old run-down areas.

The functional, environmental and aesthetic aspects of the developments are given

priority consideration.

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New Town Development in HK

New Town Development Programme since 1973

De-centralising the population to improve the living environment

The nine new towns are classified into three generations: 1st generation: Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin and Tuen Mun

2nd generation: Tai Po, Fanling/Sheung Shui and Yuen Long

the last gerneration: Tseung Kwan O, Tin Shui Wai and Tung Chung.

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Summary of the facilities in New

Town Development

Accommodate public and private housing

Essential infrastructure and community facilities

External transport system links to the urban area

Good road links to the adjacent districts.

Further enhancements of road links in the various

new towns are still on-going

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New Development Areas in the

New Territories

Previous planning and development studies have Areas in the New Territories, including: Kwu Tung

Fanling North

Hung Shui Kiu

The development of these New Development Areas will be triggered by future demand

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Urban Renewal

At present: 9 300 private buildings are 30 years' old and above in the

Metro Area

It cause the problems: poor environmental conditions

a lack of recreational or leisure facilities

The focus of revitalisation (recovery) in social, economic and environmental conditions.

The purpose of urban renewal: to improve the quality of life of residents

to reduce the number of inadequately housed people.

The Government has to balance the interests and needs of all sectors of the community without sacrificing the lawful

rights of any particular group.

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Role of the Urban Renewal

Authority

The Urban Renewal Authority was set up in May 2001

The URA should be accountable, open and transparent

Aim:

to speed up the renewal of old urban area where many building are in poor conditions, community facilities are inadequate and road layouts are below current standards.

to reduce the problem of urban deterioration through urban development and urban rehabilitation.

to facilitate better restructuring and replanning work

Nine sizeable target areas:

Kwun Tong; Ma Tau Kok; Sai Ying Pun; Sham Shui Po; Tai Kok Tsui; Tsuen Wan; Wan Chai; Yau Ma Tei; and Yau Tong

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Urban Redevelopment and

Rehabilitation

Urban Renewal=

Urban Redevelopment + Urban Rehabilitation

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Urban Redevelopment

It will target old, dilapidated buildings with poor living conditions.

These sites will be re-planned and rebuilt

the URA will assemble larger areas of land for comprehensive planning.

This will enable restructuring, for example of the local road and transport network and open spaces, to achieve a better utilisation of land and improve the overall district environment.

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Urban Rehabilitation

Proper maintenance of buildings is an essential

aspect of the regeneration of older urban areas.

The rehabilitation of buildings improves the built

environment and reduces the need or urgency for

redevelopment.

It is also in line with the Government's policy of

sustainable development.

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http://www.ura.org.hk/html/c804000e3e.html

http://www.ura.org.hk/html/c804000e3e.html