Urban Planning and Design: Enhancing Public Spaces and Safety

How the Design of Buildings Can Enhance Public Spaces

Get the Rhythm Right

Reach Out to the Street

Be a Good Neighbor

Strengthen Local Identity

Keep it Rich from Near and Afar

How Urban Design Can Support Safety

Ensure Natural Surveillance and Human Presence

Make Buildings Open to the Public Realm

Put 'Eyes on Streets' and Minimize Exposed Blank Facades

Mix Uses, Particularly at Ground Level, to Add Vitality at Different Times

Design an Integrated Network of Streets, Rather than Vulnerable Cul-de-Sacs

Minimize Conflict

Provide Safe Routes for Walking and Cycling

Design-in Territoriality and Community Involvement

Foster a Sense of Ownership, Mutual Protection, and Belonging

The Three-Tier Planning System in Hong Kong

The three-tier planning system in Hong Kong is guided by the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG). This system includes:

• Territorial/strategic plan (Hong Kong 2030)
• Sub-regional plan
• District/local plan

The HKPSG provides criteria for determining the scale, location, and site requirements of various land uses and facilities. It is applied with flexibility to ensure the optimal allocation of land and financial resources. Trade-offs may be necessary to maximize benefits for the community.

The HKPSG is applicable in four aspects:

• Forward planning
• Development control
• Plan implementation
• Raising quality of life

Hong Kong 2030

Hong Kong 2030 is a planning vision and strategy that updates the Territorial Development Strategy for Hong Kong. It provides a long-term plan to guide future development, strategic infrastructure provision, and the implementation of government policies.

Sub-regional Plan

A sub-regional plan serves as a bridge between territorial and district/local planning, providing a sub-regional development strategy.

District/Local Plans

District/local plans are statutory plans prepared under the Town Planning Ordinance. Examples include Outline Zoning Plans (OZPs) and Development Permission Area Plans (DPAs).

Differences Between Outline Zoning Plans (OZPs) and Development Permission Area Plans (DPAs)

• OZPs: Show land-use zonings and major road systems in individual planning scheme areas.
• DPAs: Control unauthorized development in rural areas.
• DPA Plans: Prepared for areas not covered by OZPs.
• Land Use Information: More detailed on OZPs than DPAs.
• DPA Replacement: Replaced by rural OZPs within 3 years.

Site Classification According to Hong Kong Building Regulation

• Class A Site: Abuts on one specified street not less than 4.5 m wide or on more than one such street.
• Class B Site: A corner site that abuts on 2 specified streets neither of which is less than 4.5 m wide.
• Class C Site: A corner site that abuts on 3 specified streets none of which is less than 4.5 m wide.