The tragic landslides in the 1970s took many lives and destroyed homes. Subsequent to the Sau Mau Ping Disaster in 1976, the Hong Kong Government immediately appointed an independent review panel of international experts to study the problem of landslides in Hong Kong and recommend a solution. The panel recommended the establishment of a control organisation to regulate hillside development and the design, construction and maintenance of slopes. This led to the formation of a Government geotechnical control body (which is now named the Geotechnical Engineering Office (GEO) under the Civil Engineering and Development Department) in 1977.

Since its establishment in 1977, the GEO has been putting strenuous efforts to tackle landslide problems and regulate geotechnical works, and has gradually developed a comprehensive slope safety system to reduce the potential risk of landslides using multi-pronged strategies.