URA

11 MANAGING DIRECTOR'S STATEMENT exceeded its approved capacity, if the URA continues to use the prevailing project-led model under the current regulatory framework. In addition, the higher the density of these ageing buildings, the greater the number of households will be affected by the redevelopment, not to mention the large number of subdivided units in these flats, causing serious rehousing burden. It can be foreseen the number of new units that can be built after redevelopment will be much less than that of affected households who have the rehousing needs, hence aggravating the problem of housing unit shortage. To address this concern, the YMDS is exploring the possibility of plot ratio transfer that would allow the plot ratio residue of some buildings in the district to be transferred to other projects with greater development capacity, thus unleashing the full potential of redevelopment. Meanwhile we are also looking for suitable lots to improve the efficiency of land use by means of upzoning and rezoning. All of these aim at revitalising the redevelopment market and encouraging more stakeholders to participate. The study also includes an integrated planning model with a good mix of redevelopment and rehabilitation. For buildings whose remaining plot ratios are released and whose structures are in good condition, rehabilitation and retrofitting shall be in place to prolong the building serviceability, improve the living environment, and upgrade current facilities to modern standard. The URA is now conducting comprehensive planning on districts with urban renewal potential within the study area and will subsequently formulate a Master Renewal Concept Plan with proposals of three different development density options. We will make reference to the consultation exercises previously conducted by the Kowloon City District Urban Renewal Forum for collecting public views towards the proposals. Building Rehabilitation: From Passivity to Proactivity The problem of urban decay cannot be tackled solely by relying on the URA to take over old and dilapidated buildings for redevelopment. A critical factor in realising sustainable urban renewal is the effectiveness of building rehabilitation, especially when preventive maintenance and regular repair can be introduced to buildings which are still young such that building conditions can be maintained safe and sound, hence alleviating the redevelopment pressure from buildings in poor and varied conditions. We see the increasing importance of building rehabilitation as the key to tackle urban decay and realise we need to be more proactive in adopting a multi-pronged approach in building rehabilitation to promote and encourage owners to undertake maintenance and repair works for their buildings. Over the years, the URA has been providing technical and financial support to building owners mainly through various rehabilitation schemes. However in the absence of a preventive maintenance culture, owners are often not accustomed to carry out regular maintenance and repair for their properties, resulting in deteriorating building conditions. Since 2016, we have proactively approached building owners in order to find out their reasons for failing to conduct maintenance and repair for their buildings as well as their needs. Schemes were developed addressing such concerns, including the ‘Smart Tender’ Building Rehabilitation Facilitating Services to alleviate the worry of building owners over the risk of tender rigging at the works procurement stage. Last year, we took a step forward and commenced the New Building Rehabilitation Strategy Study which aims to formulate an all-round and holistic new strategy for different age groups and categories of buildings. The URA has also successfully conducted an extensive survey on the conditions of around 5,900 domestic and 700 non-domestic building blocks to establish a database encompassing all domestic, commercial and industrial buildings. This information collected will provide us with a comprehensive picture of building Appreciating the winning design of URA/IVE Innovative Design Competition, which targets to leverage students’ creativeness to enhance the living quality of elderly in old districts.