Hong Kong cracks down on unauthorized building works

Over 720,000 unauthorized building works and 43,000 dangerous or abandoned signboards have been demolished or rectified in over 40,000 private buildings in Hong Kong, said Director of Buildings Clarice Yu Po-mei.

Speaking at the North District Council on Tuesday, the government official said there is a need to take action against structures that pose threats or dangers to life and property and cause environmental disturbances.

These include unauthorized building works on the external parts of buildings, such as rooftops, platforms, light wells, back alleys, or protruding structures from external walls.

Yu said from 2001 to the end of last year, the Buildings Department has demolished or rectified over 720,000 unauthorized building works, 43,000 dangerous or abandoned signboards, and renovated over 29,000 dilapidated buildings.