Page 55 - URA Annual Report 2021-22

Building Rehabilitation Platform (BRP) & New Features
The BRP (www.brplatform.org.hk) is an all-in-one online platform providing professional and comprehensive information on building rehabilitation along with technical support to building owners. To guide owners through the building rehabilitation process, a guidebook with a broad range of information on preparatory work, appointment of consultants and contractors, as well as monitoring of works, is available for download from the BRP. Key building rehabilitation information was highlighted through over 50 sets of trilingual videos for viewing from the BRP.
In addition, a total of 17 sets of sample tender and contract documents for procurement of consultants and contractors were uploaded onto the BRP for public use and reference, among which eight of them were added in 2021/22. A cost reference centre was launched in March 2021 to provide the cost range of typical rehabilitation works items. A new Chatbot function was also made available on BRP in November 2021 to provide instant answers to basic questions related to redevelopment and rehabilitation, facilitating public access to the required information through different means.
Under the newly introduced Building Rehabilitation Company Registration Scheme (BRCRS), a database of consultants and contractors, who are eligible for and interested in providing building rehabilitation works and have a quality management system, would be published by phases for users’ reference. As a start, the database for Authorised Persons/Registered Inspectors was published in March 2022 while the database for Registered General Building Contractors will be published in the latter part of 2022. An interim database was launched in April 2022 as a transitional arrangement for Registered Minor Works Contractors (RMWCs) and Registered Fire Service Installation Contractors (RFSICs). Since then, the URA has been assisting interested RMWCs and RFSICs in preparing for joining the BRCRS. After a transitional period of three years, formal registration with assessment for RMWCs and RFSICs will take place in early 2025.
Retrofitting Projects
Yu Chau West Street, Cheung Sha Wan (IB-2:SSP)
The retrofitting project came as the URA Board approved in 2018 to halt the redevelopment project due to low acquisition rate. Instead, retrofitting works to support rehabilitation initiatives were carried out, allowing the URA to acquire relevant experience in retrofitting, especially the relevant processes and procedures to extend the usable building life span of old industrial buildings with upgraded facilities, in support of an initiative under the 2018 Policy Address to revitalise industrial buildings.
Retrofitting of building provisions in the common areas and URA-owned premises in IB-2:SSP Project was completed in November 2021. The building is now upgraded with facilities and fire safety provisions to modern standard, as well as barrier-free facilities. The refurbished premises are now accommodating about 260 URA staff and also home to a number of NGOs and social enterprises.
The retrofitted IB-2:SSP (left) is now equipped with new fire services systems including the Automatic Fire Alarm System (right), the Sprinkler System and tank (middle).
Ex-Mong Kok Market Building
The URA will assist the Government to retrofit the ex-Mong Kok Market into an interim District Health Centre (DHC) to be handed over to the Health Bureau upon completion. With the support from the former Food and Health Bureau, the URA appointed a comprehensive design consultant team in mid-2021 to formulate detailed design which will be followed by the procurement of works tender in the latter part of 2022. Retrofitting works are expected to commence in 2023 and targets to be completed in 2024. In the long run, the URA will work closely with the Government to identify a suitable location within the Yau Mong District to house the DHC permanently.
URA ANNUAL REPORT 2021-22 49
Operating Review Corporate Sustainability Management Discussion and Analysis Projects at a Glance Corporate Governance