The Land and Building Advisory Committee has given its backing to the initiatives in the Policy Address to improve Hong Kong's environment and achieve sustainable development.
Speaking after the committee's 57th meeting today (Monday), the Chairman of the Committee, Professor Yeung Yue-man, stressed the importance of concerted efforts to bring sustainable development to fruition, which should involve not only the Government but every member of the community.
"Better environment, better planning, better development strategy and community support are all essential elements of the concept of sustainable development," he said.
On the new approach to urban renewal, Professor Yeung said members hoped the proposed Urban Renewal Authority could accelerate the pace of urban redevelopment.
Apart from the policy address, the committee was also briefed on the Government's proposal to require mandatory provision of access facilities in new buildings for telecommunications and broadcasting network operators, and the revised Town Planning Board's guidelines on service apartments.
The committee was convinced that the proposal on mandatory provision of access facilities in new buildings would facilitate Hong Kong to develop into a networked city to meet the challenges in the digital world in the next century.
"This is a balanced package reflecting the needs of the telecommunications and broadcasting industries, while accommodating the construction industry's requirement to optimize the valuable use of land," Professor Yeung said.
"The proposed legislation should allow flexible adjustments of the standards required to accommodate advances in technological developments."
As for service apartment, members generally agreed that its updated definition and the revised guidelines could reflect more clearly the planning intention of treating service apartments akin to hotel use.
"This is particularly important when there is a growing trend in the number of service apartments in Hong Kong," Professor Yeung added.
Under the recently revised guidelines approved by the Town Planning Board, a service apartment has been defined as an establishment held under central management to provide residential accommodation with central air-conditioning.
Such premises are characterised by fully/partly furnished studio or two-room units with small pantry/kitchenette, or a high proportion of such units in the same building or establishment, and provided with communal facilities, such as dining hall, laundry, recreational facilities and housekeeping services.
End/Monday, 11 October 1999
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