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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
21
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
QUESTIONS
(1) MR. JOHN MACKENZIE asked the following question (in English):-
Will the Council consider the introduction of new and positive measures of environmental improvement in the Urban areas; particularly, can steps be taken-
(a) to assess District-by-District deficiencies, with arrangement for competitive improvement;
(b) to initiate a "Green Hong Kong" campaign on lines discussed previously; and
(c) to promote the wider construction of Water Fountains in parks, open areas and road junctions as a measure of beautification and relaxation for the community?
MR. H. M. G. FORSGATE, CHAIRMAN OF THE PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SELECT COMMITTEE, replied as follows (in English):-
In reply to Mr. MACKENZIE's question, the short answer is "yes". The Council will definitely consider the introduction of new and positive measures of environmental improvements in the urban areas. In effect, the Council has already taken steps towards this end.
In the first instance, the Council takes steps at the town planning stage to ensure the adequate provision of "District Open Space" and "Local Open Space" in all urban districts taking into consideration the projected population and any possible future developments within each area. The next step is to liaise closely with the Crown Lands and Survey Office, in conjunction with the Housing Department in cases where clearance is necessary to work out expeditious allocation of land for Council development. Following this step, the Council works very closely with the Architectural Office with a view to improving environmental conditions by incorporating up-to-date facilities often with sophisticated landscaping and modern architectural design. The Council also takes the initiative to introduce modern and unconventional play equipment to plan novel recreational swimming pools and is continually adopting new planning concepts and designs in the planning of U.C. facilities. The employment of private architects as agreed recently is another positive step towards achieving this end.
Turning now to Mr. MACKENZIE's particular questions, there is a system in the Urban Services Department whereby district needs and deficiencies are continually assessed by Urban Services Officers and regional management, and their observations reported to the Director of Urban Services for planning and policy action. The present system works well, and it is not considered desirable to arrange "competitions" among the districts, as such competitions are likely to divert staff resources from their normal executive functions to unproductive work. It is felt that such competitions are best left in the hands of other Government departments more directly responsible for community involvement exercises.
As regards a campaign to keep Hong Kong green the Council is continually striving to create a more pleasant environment for the people of Hong Kong through an extensive amenity planting programme. In the past, such planting had been concentrated on parks, playgrounds and public gardens. In recent years, special efforts have been made to plant trees and shrubs along roadsides and in the more congested areas of Hong Kong and Kowloon. For the current financial year, it is planned to plant 15,000 trees, over 100,000 shrubs and 100,000 seasonal flowers, spread over the densely populated areas such as Kwun Tong, Sham Shui Po and Wan Chai, and along public highways.
At the same time, expansion of Council's nursery facilities has been planned to achieve a 20% growth in the supply of nursery materials over the next few years.
Furthermore, the Council takes steps to involve the public actively in keeping Hong Kong green. The Urban Council Flower Show, for instance, is organized annually and this year attracted some 85,000 visitors. The interest of the younger elements of our population is not forgotten as an extension of the Flower Show, a flower growing competition by school-children is organized. This year, it attracted 41,500 young participants from 59 schools, and proved to be a great success.
At the same time, more attention is paid to the quality of the trees, shrubs and flowers being planted by Council to ensure that the highest standards are maintained.
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