In order to solve the housing problem, the current government has successively introduced a number of policies. Following the “Land Debate” in 2018, it also developed public housing through the “Land Sharing Pilot Program” under a public-private partnership. Recently, there have been more voices intending to revise the urban planning procedures, even Research to increase the development density of wetland buffer zones.
Chen Jianqing, a member of the local research group, pointed out that the government should use the "Land Resumption Ordinance" to reclaim land with development potential, and a more complete planning plan can be applied. In addition to providing housing, it also provides local employment for residents.
He pointed out that if land is developed through a public-private partnership, it will be difficult for the government to lead the planning.
He also pointed out that in the name of simplifying the procedures for city planning, the government has in fact revised the control for development, causing planning to become unbalanced at any time.
The local research agency and the public professional alliance proposed 14 groups of land clusters to select sites for housing development, which is estimated to provide 150,000 houses.
(Photo by Zhang Jiamin)
Further reading: New Territories Development | Group Research and Development 14 sites covering 563 hectares, 150,000 units expected to be built in 10 years
The local research agency and the public professional alliance proposed 14 groups of land clusters to select sites for development of houses, which is estimated to provide 150,000 houses and accommodate 400,000 people.
Chen Jianqing, a local research agency, pointed out that the research report reflects the government's selective land resumption over the years. Taking the land cluster in Pingshan North as an example, some of the brownfields held by developers have not been included in the development scope. Don't accept it."
Chen Jianqing continued that the government should mainly reclaim land with development potential through the "Land Resumption Ordinance" in future land development. "The government needs to take the lead to do this." He pointed out that instead of using the "Land Sharing Pilot Program" Through public-private partnerships to develop housing, the government's initiative to take over land will lead the planning. In addition, it takes time to build houses in some new development areas, and the government can also first take over land for transitional housing to meet short- and medium-term housing needs.
14 groups of developable public housing land
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Land policy should not be restricted by land
Among the 14 groups of land, 28.2 hectares of land involves "Ding Land", that is, "V-Zone" land.
Chen Jianqing pointed out that the government should not be restricted by "small land" when resuming land for development, and should even consider using it for the development of public housing.
He continued that although the appeal case challenging the small house policy has not yet been finalized, the government can still recover "small land" developments that are not suitable for small houses through the Land Resumption Ordinance, and at the same time continue to accept small house applications. There is no conflict between them.
He also pointed out that the goal of the initiative is not limited to housing supply, but to provide a more comprehensive planning concept, including providing local employment support for residents, and even environmental restoration, "it is based on the vision that the family government or private suggestions lack. Cai Nuozheng, a member of the Local Research Institute, said that the economic model the government promotes in the new development area is based on high-tech industries, which may not be able to respond to the needs of the residents.
He pointed out that if planning and development are based on local areas, such as preserving agricultural land to develop the rural economy, local residents can be self-sufficient and the pressure on cross-regional traffic can also be reduced.
Among the 14 groups of land, 28.2 hectares of land involves "Ding Land", that is, "V-Zone" land.
(Information Picture/Photographed by Zhang Haowei)
Approval of the authority to modify the development control on the pretext of simplifying the procedures of city planning
In an earlier interview, Chen Maobo, former director of the Bureau for Development and Financial Secretary, suggested that he might consider revising the "Urban Planning Ordinance" to speed up the examination and approval.
Chen Jianqing pointed out that planning procedures often involve procedures such as restraining private development and protecting the environment, and rashly amending or unbalanced planning. He believes that the government should change its development thinking instead of revising existing urban planning regulations.
Cai Nuozheng added that the government intends to revise the urban planning procedures involving public consultation. If it is changed to local-based planning and development, I believe it can reduce residents' opposition and accelerate development in disguise.
Li Guangde, the policy convener of the Public Professional Alliance, also refuted the government’s claim that the government’s implementation of the wrong land strategy and planning direction slowed down development and “doesn’t want the government to use urban planning procedures as a pretext.” He cited the government’s earlier proposal to develop ecological sensitivity. The land that has aroused social controversy and opposition, and described it as a "self-control obstacle", "the land receivable is not receivable, and the land receivable is not receivable."
Li Guangde, the policy convener of the Public Professional Alliance, pointed out that the government's implementation of wrong land strategies and planning has slowed down the development of Hong Kong's housing.
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Development Bureau denies loss of ownership: land sharing complements private land planning work
The Development Bureau responded to enquiries. The government has always cited the "Land Resumption Ordinance" to resume land for public use. About 700 hectares of land are known to be repossessed in the future, of which nearly 500 hectares will be repossessed within five years, that is, from 2021-22 to 2025- 26 years.
The Development Bureau stated that when it launched the pilot land sharing plan, it has clearly stated that the plan aims to release the development potential of private land at an early date to increase the supply of public and private housing in the short and medium term. Planning of private land.
On the one hand, all applications for the pilot program are strictly reviewed by professional departments to ensure compliance with statutory and professional requirements; on the other hand, while advancing the pilot program, it has been actively advancing the other land supply measures mentioned above, referring to the government The theory of losing the dominance of planning does not hold true.
The Development Bureau pointed out that the pilot project adopts a strict and transparent approval mechanism, and a special advisory group provides third-party opinions, and all statutory procedures such as amendments to statutory plans and public works will continue to apply.
In other words, the pilot project cannot bypass established procedures and requirements.
Is reviewing the procedures for handling representations under the current law
As for land sharing applications involving the "wetland buffer zone", the Development Bureau stated that the current mechanism does not prohibit development in the "wetland buffer zone", but requires development projects to undergo an ecological impact assessment to meet specified requirements.
Applicants are also required to conduct necessary assessments in accordance with the opinions put forward by relevant government departments to support the application, including proposing acceptable environmental mitigation measures.
Regarding the streamlining of urban planning procedures, the Development Bureau is reviewing whether there is room for speeding up or streamlining the development procedures prescribed by individual laws, such as urban planning procedures or some road engineering-related procedures. The scope of the review includes the time required for processing development applications under current laws. Table, and procedures for handling complaints, etc.
The relevant review is in progress, and the government will report on the progress in due course.
Land Sharing Plan｜Henderson Foundation Tak & Fung's application for nearly 20 hectares of land was twice withdrawn to build a single-family house land sharing plan｜SHKP application for wetland buffer zone concerns increase the plot ratio and wipe out the conservation land sharing plan｜SHKP Henderson Tak & Fung's application The “Iftar” application for the land sharing plan for public housing in Shenan Sang Wai and Tai Po for more than 10,000 people involved 40% of official land. Long-term one-year target 3.8%
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