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THE ENVIRONMENT
Planning against Pollution Recognising that past planning decisions that were made without considering their environmental implications have led to problems, the government has taken steps to ensure due weight is given to environmental matters in the planning process. To this end, a report on the government's Metroplan study, which began in June 1987, will be ready in late 1989. The goal of the study is simply to '. . . create a landuse-transport framework within which to produce the essential land resources to help bring about a more rationally organised, efficient and socially acceptable place in which to live and work'. In sum, there is to be an overall environmental upgrading of the older urban areas to complement the higher environmental standards of the new towns. The Metroplan study is intended to transform Hong Kong and prepare the city for entry into the twenty-first century.
In strategic planning for Hong Kong's future development, there is a great need and an even greater opportunity to apply sound environmental policies. The principle of prevent- ing future problems governs. Major new strategic developments can serve to redress long-standing environmental problems in the older urban areas. The Port and Airport Development (PADS) study, which continued during the year, will provide good oppor- tunities for environmental improvement. A number of reclamation proposals in Victoria Harbour are being considered to meet the demand for urban development. Mathematical models have been set up to aid strategic planning and a physical model of the harbour area is also being built. These models will be used to investigate the complex movements of water in the Victoria Harbour area and the effects of the many harbour development proposals.
In addition to the proposed massive development around Victoria Harbour, the urbanisation of parts of the New Territories has caused significant environmental pro- blems. In both Tolo Harbour and Deep Bay, the movement of the air and water is limited by the topography of the surrounding land. Pollutants are readily trapped in these areas and the amount of pollution that can safely be absorbed is severely limited. Such areas therefore require special attention as evidenced by the declining trend of water quality in Tolo Harbour, despite the construction of two secondary sewage treatment works. The special requirements of such areas are now being addressed through the formulation and implementation of comprehensive environmental management plans, such as the Tolo Harbour Action Plan.
In the case of Deep Bay, 1988 saw the initiation of a review and evaluation of the various development projects in the area to assess the potential cumulative effects on the environment.
During the normal course of development, environmental issues are considered in a variety of stages. The aim of the first stage, land use planning, is to avoid possible conflicts by ensuring that developments which are not environmentally compatible are kept separate. At a more detailed stage, when a specific development is being considered for a particular site, its likely environmental impact is thoroughly examined. The 'Environment' chapter of the official Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines defines the basic environmental planning criteria. A significant change was made in 1987 with the further refinement of the noise exposure forecast (NEF) 30 contour which shows the acoustic impact from the airport at Kai Tak. A major updating of the whole chapter in the light of both changes in Hong Kong's industrial economy and changes in environmental legislation is planned.
The principle of preventing future problems is embodied in the formal environmental review of major public and private projects. This kind of review is a qualitative assessment