Urban Renewal Authority 2018-19 Annual Report

35 OPERATING REVIEW Study on New Strategy on Building Rehabilitation Building rehabilitation is one of URA’s key purposes and core businesses to prevent the decay of the built environment. From a social and environmental sustainability perspective, the rehabilitation of buildings is also a very promising way to improve the quality of life of local residents. Launched in mid-2017, the URA’s study on New Strategy on Building Rehabilitation aims primarily at formulating a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy covering buildings of all ages with focus on the preventive maintenance of existing buildings in line with the building maintenance cycle. On the one hand, the URA has studied the existing regulatory framework and practices with a view to formulating relevant proposals; while on the other hand, property owners would be educated on the methods and importance of preventive maintenance. The study will be completed in 2019/20. Essential elements for proper repair and maintenance, as well as areas for retrofitting, have been identified to prolong the life of ageing buildings. Examples of such essential elements include building structure, external façade, roof covering, fire protection system, energy efficiency and barrier free facilities. To identify buildings near the end of their physical life where rehabilitation works are no longer economically viable, an evaluation model has been devised for making an initial assessment on the necessary rehabilitation or retrofit cost of a building, which is then compared with the cost and benefit of redevelopment. Although there may be issues for buildings in this state which lack redevelopment potential due to plot ratio controls, the holistic renewal approach has the advantage of taking the livability of the entire district into consideration in its long-term strategic plan which would help make redevelopment of such buildings practical. to formulate a comprehensive rehabilitation strategy, including preventive maintenance, to reduce the number of dilapidated buildings which may otherwise require redevelopment Objectives: building structure fire protection system barrier free facilities external facade roof covering energy efficiency Retrofitting