Desirability: Now the primary basis for considering change of land use

Abstract

In the Land Use Planning Ordinance (1511985), 'Desirability' is the sole basis for evaluating land use applications, in contrast to the traditional 'necessity and desirability' basis used during the previous dispensation. The terms are not defined in the Ordinance (old or new) or accompanying regulations, but it can be deduced that the change was to create a more market-oriented system. Where a local authority is the developer, the necessity will of course still be an important criterion. 'Desirability', however, is a subjective concept, and in order to be able to judge consistently and fairly, local governments should develop a system that can objectively test the impact of an intended change in land use. Such a system that serves as a tentative example is described in the article.