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Urban design guidelines have been incorporated into a new chapter of the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG), the Planning Department announced today (November 27).

The new chapter, numbered as Chapter 11 of the HKPSG, was prompted by the findings and recommendations of the "Study on Urban Design Guidelines for Hong Kong" completed by the department in 2003. The study had gone through an extensive public consultation exercise, with input from professional bodies, advisory and statutory authorities and the relevant panels of the Legislative Council.

To promote Hong Kong's image as a world-class city and to enhance the quality of its built environment, a set of broad design principles, as recommended in the study, will be adopted to help create a quality environment.

Formulated to shape a better physical environment, the urban design guidelines cover massing and intensity in urban fringe areas and rural areas, development height profiles, waterfront sites, public areas, streetscapes, heritage, breezeways and view corridors, stilted structures and specific major land uses. Good urban design can provide better access for pedestrians, including the elderly and disabled, to various facilities. Planning can also help foster an interesting street culture and greater participation in the community.

The urban design guidelines provide a broad framework as well as more detailed principles to guide the preparation of plans and development proposals at the macro and micro levels.

A spokesman for the department explained that the new chapter would provide a reference for government and private professionals in the planning and development process with regard to the merits and impacts of their proposals.

The previous Chapter 11, "Miscellaneous Planning Standards and Guidelines" of the HKPSG has been re-numbered as Chapter 12.

The HKPSG, which sets out the criteria for determining the scale, location and site requirements of various land uses, is applied in planning studies, preparation and revision of town plans and development control.

The new chapter can be seen at the Planning Department's website at www.info.gov.hk/planning/tech_doc/hkpsg/index_e.html.

Ends/Thursday, November 27, 2003

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