Application of the Buildings Ordinance to new building projects

This event is intended primarily for practitioners whose work does not always involve the application of the Buildings Ordinance (BO). The BO regulates private development in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, with the first version of the current ordinance enacted in 1955. On the whole, the BO is not difficult to read. Thanks to the various practice notes, codes, guidelines, design manuals, and circulars issued by the Buildings Department, the requirements of the Building Authority are well explained and illustrated.

However, to fully grasp the principles and intent behind certain sections of the BO, one may need to read those sections carefully in both content and context. Even then, practitioners may not feel confident in applying them or in recognising their implications. For example, one might question whether the BO applies to a particular project. This is especially true for younger practitioners.

In this event, the speaker will walk through a number of sections that appear clear on the surface but are in fact more nuanced—such as Sections 16(3)(d), 39, 41, and 42. To support his points, he will cite relevant court cases where necessary.