Updated at 7.12pm: Necessity had forced Hong Kong to adopt a proactive sustainable building strategy, Housing, Planning and Lands Secretary Michael Suen Ming-yeung said on Tuesday.
He told the 2005 World Sustainable Building Conference in Tokyo, that Hong Kong had traditionally had to overcome a severe shortage of land for development.
'Land is only available at a premium and there is a natural tendency for high-rise development which makes sustainable development and sustainable buildings logical objectives to keep our city going,' explained Mr Suen.
'It is no exaggeration to suggest that our natural conditions almost ordain sustainable strategies in order to achieve a better quality living environment, with more access to natural ventilation and lighting.'
These goals were vital to cities with high urban densities - such as Hong Kong and Tokyo.
'From the overall planning perspective, we are committed to formulating sustainable development strategies by guiding the use and development of land, facilitating suitable development and re-development, and encouraging community involvement and support,' he explained. Mr Suen also noted that Hong Kong's policy also included providing affordable public housing to a third of its population.