Officials are to liaise with the mainland in a major survey to plot the course of growth of the SAR up to 2030.
Director of Planning Bosco Fung Chee-keung revealed the decision and said increasing public consultation would form the backbone of town planning.
The 18-month survey - titled 'Hong Kong 2030: Vision and Development Strategy' - is due to get under way this year and is estimated to cost $15 million.
Mr Fung said a long-term study would allow the SAR to have a more accurate grasp of how to deal with future needs.
Planning studies usually span 10 to 15 years.
Mr Fung said Hong Kong, as part of the Pearl River Delta, must look to the mainland when planning long-term development.
'Hong Kong, as part of the delta area, cannot isolate the mainland in such a long-term planning study. It correlates with the mainland socially, economically and environmentally,' he said.
