Greater Pearl River Delta Township

This is a translated abridged English version. Should there be any inconsistency between the English and the Chinese versions, the Chinese version shall prevail.

Planning Study on the Coordinated Development of the Greater Pearl River Delta Township

Study Brief

1.	Study Background
	The Sixth Plenary of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Cooperation Joint Conference (Joint Conference) establishes the new cooperation direction for both sides and sets the clear goal to turn the Greater Pearl River Delta (Greater PRD) Region into one of the world's most prosperous and vibrant economic hubs. In the Seventh Plenary of the Joint Conference held in 2004, both sides agreed that stepping up co-ordination in regional planning would be a key step in realizing the full economic potential of the region. Both sides will exchange information and views on city planning and regional development in the process of conducting advance study on planning and cross-boundary infrastructure projects. Joint studies will also be conducted on areas of mutual concern and affecting both places. Both sides agreed to set up an Expert Group on Hong Kong/Guangdong Town Planning and Development "(the Expert Group) and to launch the "Planning Study on the Coordinated Development of the Greater Pearl River Delta Township " (the Study) in the near future.
2.	Study Purpose
	Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao all consider that, in the next two decades, Guangdong will focus on developing its manufacturing industries with a view to developing itself into one of the world's most important manufacturing bases. Hong Kong will focus on developing itself into one of the world's most important services centres excelling in finance and logistics. Macao will be developed into one of the world's attractive betting centres and tourist destinations as well as the trade and service platforms in the region. To this end, it is the common goal¹ of the three places to achieve a win-win-win situation by developing the Greater PRD Region, which includes Hong Kong and Macao, into one of the world's most prosperous and vibrant economic centres. The objective of the study is to formulate a city and regional development strategy by taking a forward-looking perspective to consider and analyze the development approach of the Greater Pearl River Delta under the "One Country Two Systems" framework. Through better resource utilization, environmental protection and the development of transport infrastructure, it is intended to improve the regional environment, enhance living quality, ensure the sustainable development of the Greater PRD, and improve the overall competitiveness of the region.
3.	Organization of the Study

(a)	Expert Group
	The Expert Group is mainly responsible for the overall coordination and decision making for the work schedule and arrangement of the Study.
(b)	Special Panel
	The Special Panel under the Expert Group is responsible for the planning and implementation of the Study, and its main duties are:
	i.	to map out major study areas and the action plan of the Study;
	ii.	to provide relevant assistance to the commissioned consultants for any problems encountered in the Study;
	iii.	to organize and convene relevant meetings, examine and endorse the findings of various stages to guarantee the quality of the deliverables;
	iv.	to unfold other relevant assignments.
(c)	Commissioned Consultants
	The commissioned consultants are responsible for the implementation of the study, and their main duties are:
	i.	to conduct the Study in accordance with the approved plan, and submit the findings with good quality in accordance with the schedule;
	ii.	to submit progress reports and report the findings of various stages to the Expert Group as scheduled and attend the meetings convened by the Expert Group or Special Panel; to brief the relevant advisory bodies/organizations the study progress and conduct the Study as advised by the Expert Group or Special Panel;
	iii..	to lead the implementation of the Study and conduct it in cooperation with the other sub-consultants, relevant professional units and experts (e.g. specialized in such areas as transport and environmental protection) from both Hong Kong and the Mainland.
4.	Study Scope
	The Study comprises four major topical studies on the:
	(a)	overall development strategies of cities in the Greater PRD;
	(b)	cross-boundary co-ordinated developments;
	(c)	strategic environmental impact assessment and resources protection and utilization; and
	(d)	institutional mechanism for co-ordinated development and action agenda.
	The Study is expected to be completed within two years upon its commencement.

¹	The Sixth Plenary of the Hong Kong/Guangdong Cooperation Joint Conference (5 August 2003), and the First Plenary of the Macao/Guangdong Cooperation Joint Conference (9 December 2003).

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