******************************************************
The Secretary for Development, Mrs Carrie Lam, will lead a delegation to Tokyo from tomorrow (February 8) to Tuesday to get first-hand information on how Tokyo undertakes urban regeneration. The visit will contribute to the review of the Urban Renewal Strategy.
As part of the Urban Renewal Strategy review begun in July 2008, the Development Bureau has commissioned the Policy Study Consultant, University of Hong Kong to conduct research into urban renewal policies and practices in six Asian cities. Based on the research findings and contacts made by the study team, the bureau and the Urban Renewal Authority have decided to arrange study visits to Tokyo and Shanghai by members of the Steering Committee on Urban Renewal Strategy Review, members of the URA Board and URA's district advisers to obtain information and exchange views with the officials involved.
The Secretary for Development will lead the delegation to Tokyo while the Chairman of the Urban Renewal Authority will lead the delegation to Shanghai scheduled for March 26-28.
During the visit to Tokyo, the delegation will meet the Urban Renewal Association of Japan, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government officials and academia to learn more about urban renewal and heritage preservation in the city. They will also visit a number of urban regeneration projects such as the Roppongi Hills, Meiji Yasuda Seimei Building and Omotesando Hills.
Mrs Lam will leave for the visit tomorrow and return to Hong Kong on Tuesday (February 10).
Ends/Saturday, February 7, 2009
Issued at HKT 16:00
NNNN
