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Members of the Land and Building Advisory Committee (LBAC) today (February 20) generally welcomed Government's effort in initiating the "Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy" which is intended to provide a long-term planning framework to guide the development of Hong Kong over the next 30 years.
"Given Hong Kong's growing ties with the Pearl River Delta and other parts of the Mainland and China's accession to the World Trade Organisation in the near future, LBAC members generally thought that it was an opportune time to start this Study," said Professor Yeung Yue-man, Chairman of the Committee.
"Members agreed that the Study should go beyond the boundary of Hong Kong and should take into account the dynamics of the interaction between Hong Kong and the Mainland.
"This is particularly important regarding the population movement and the protection of the environment. In this connection, members thought that there should be enhanced communication with the Mainland," Professor Yeung said.
"Members consider that the exercise is useful in involving the community to work together towards mapping out our future development. But given the rapid pace of changes both locally and in other places of the world, it is important that the Government should always be flexible in the implementation of any plan.
"Some members also cast doubt on the timeframe of the Study, thinking that it might be too long for any realistic planning," he added.
The Committee was also briefed on the packages of proposals for good building maintenance and timely maintenance, namely "to control advertisement signboards" and "to tackle unauthorised building works" proposed by the Task Force on Building Safety and Preventive Maintenance under the Planning and Lands Bureau.
"Members welcomed Government's proposals to control advertisement signboards and to tackle unauthorised building works (UBWs) and illegal rooftop structures.
"They considered the introduction of the proposals timely and agreed that the successful implementation of such proposals should greatly enhance public safety," Professor Yeung said.
End/Tuesday, February 20, 2001
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