THE ENVIRONMENT
Noise
Hong Kong is a notoriously noisy city. Excessive noise from percussive piling, drilling and rock breaking is an undesirable by-product of the territory's vigorous construction activities. Traffic noise disturbs residential areas and the proximity to Kai Tak Airport of large public and private housing estates inevitably means that residents are exposed to high noise levels.
Protecting the Environment
Administrative Framework
The Planning, Environment and Lands Branch (PELB) was established on September 1, 1989, for better administration of government policy on environmental and planning issues. The Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands seeks advice on major policy initiatives from the Environmental Pollution Advisory Committee (EPCOM), whose members are appointed by the Governor and are mainly experts in environmental affairs or prominent and informed members of the community.
The Environmental Protection Department (EPD), established on April 1, 1986, is the principal executive body on environmental matters. In contrast to previous fragmented responsibilities, EPD has multidisciplinary teams able to tackle all kinds of pollution problems and to develop environmental protection strategies for the whole territory. It recommends to the secretary policy initiatives and proposals for new or amended legislation, undertakes environmental planning and the assessment of development plans, the enforcement of pollution control legislation, the planning and development of waste disposal facilities and the monitoring of all aspects of the environment.
Other departments also contribute to environmental protection. The Drainage Services Department was established on September 1, 1989, to centralise the design, construction, operation and maintenance of sewerage and sewage treatment and disposal facilities throughout the territory, with the aim of providing better services in support of the PELB's sewerage programme. The Urban Services Department and the Regional Services Department provide street-cleaning and refuse collection services, the Civil Engineering Services Department oversees the development of landfills for the disposal of waste, the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department operates refuse incinerators, the Marine Department clears floating refuse and takes action against oil spills, and the Territory Development Department is involved in the construction of environmental protection facilities.
Planning against Pollution
In the past, environmental factors were seldom taken into account in land-use planning, and it is only relatively recently that the government has begun to tackle seriously this legacy of inadequate planning. It is obviously important to avoid creating new environ- mental problems as well as clearing up existing problems. The saying 'prevention is better than cure' accurately sums up the philosophy behind environmental planning.
The process of environmental planning is carried out at various levels. At the broad strategic level, studies such as Metroplan (which will be completed in 1990) aim to examine, analyse and improve the land-use and transport structure of the main urban areas, thereby transforming Hong Kong and preparing the city for the 21st century. In carrying out this study, it was recognised at the outset that environmental factors and the involvement of the Environmental Protection Department were of fundamental importance and that the study should aim to improve not only the efficiency of the city,
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