Specialized groups set up to study urban development projects

Aspect of the fifth plenary session of the Urban Planning Committee, presided by Raimundo do Rosário (center)

Three specialized groups were established within the Secretariat for Transport and Public Works to properly study six topics for the fifth plenary session of the Urban Planning Committee held yesterday at the Lands, Public Works and Transport Bureau (DSSOPT).
After the closed-door meeting, Secretary for Transport and Public Works Raimundo do Rosário briefed the media about the meeting’s contents.
The three teams will each be responsible for two tasks. One group will research the establishment of a provisory habitation plan, in addition to other measures to boost urban renewal. The second group is expected to devise ways to promote urban renewal and reuse industrial buildings. The third group will oversee the development of maintenance reinforcement funds and financial support schemes.
According to Rosário, the most important task of the new body concerns the promotion of urban renewal.The group in charge will have to consider whether the public or private sector should shoulder the bulk of outreach efforts.
Regarding the initial proposal for the government to lead the project, the committee will first need to evaluate whether current governmental departments can carry out these works or if a new bureau or department must be established to take on the task.
Another proposal suggests that the government establishes a wholly owned company to oversee the promotion of urban renewal, which is currently not being managed by any governmental departments.
The secretary said the decision shall be discussed by the three teams before it is eventually settled by the committee. Afterwards, the groups will announce their respective proposals and the committee will make the final decision.
“It will be completely free [for the team to make the decision],” said  Rosário, when asked whether he will voice his preference to the teams or if the groups are completely free to study the issue.
There is currently no fixed date for the announcement of the study’s results.  Julie Zhu