1993

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purchasers because in the layouts and in the advertisements of such housing estates it is generally emphasized that a significant proportion of the land is used for recreation facilities and open spaces, such as green belts, gardens and various indoor and outdoor recreational facilities. In mid-1993, the Government conducted the second review of the 1989 White Paper on environment and entitled its report 'A Green Challenge to Hong Kong', suggesting that improving the living environment is now a must.

Let us take Taikoo Shing as an example. As everyone present will agree, the estate is now more attractive than before. One undeniable reason for this is that it is now flanked by the Quarry Bay Park. From a distance it looks as if it were built inside the park. The design of the whole Park has turned the area into a pleasant and scenic spot. The public may pursue their favourite activities in the park to refresh and relax themselves. From this example, we can see the far-reaching effects of a properly designed open space on urban life.

II. The Importance of Recreation and Open Spaces

As a matter of fact, we badly need places for recreation and sitting-out purposes in our daily life. It is true that the Hong Kong Government has designated 40% of the territory as country parks and that their usage rate has been satisfactory. However, most of them are rather remote and people usually go there on Saturdays, Sundays or public holidays only. There are very few places in the urban area where people can take a rest and relax on weekdays. In other words, to provide adequate recreation and open spaces in the urban area is a top priority.

Everyone is entitled to adequate spaces for rest and relaxation. Given the limited supply of land in Hong Kong, however, most people are living in very crowded conditions, and their homes can hardly be regarded as ideal places for spending their leisure time.

One may have the misconception that recreation and open spaces mean parks or green belts only. According to Chapter 4 of the 'Hong Kong Planning Standard and Guidelines', such spaces are roughly divided into the following categories: active recreation grounds, which are places for people to play and have fun in; passive recreation grounds, which are places for people to sit out and enjoy the cool; and sporting venues like swimming pools, sports complexes and ball game halls, etc. I think recreation and open spaces should also include spaces of cultural values, such as piazzas where public and open air performances and lectures are given and where people can take a rest on less eventful days.

Recreation and open spaces in urban areas play an important part in people's lives. Members of the public can make use of such spaces to meet their own needs, e.g.:

1. The basic purpose of recreation and open spaces is to provide the public with places for leisure activities and entertainment. There, people can

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play, exercise, eat and drink, rest, admire the scenery, enjoy the cool, play chess or chat.

The people of Hong Kong, like those in other big cities, lead a very hectic life and suffer tremendous work pressure. By making use of the facilities in recreation and open spaces, they can refresh and relax themselves.

In recent years, there has been a tendency in all large cities in the world to demand the provision of more recreation and open spaces within the urban areas, indicating that the demand for better quality of life is rising and that good recreation and open spaces can improve our environment. Recreation and open spaces play an important part in child development. Psychological studies show that children are particularly sensitive to their environment during their development and always look for and try to touch new things. In 1977, the United Nations issued a declaration, emphasizing that every child has the right to play. However, owing to the short supply of land and the hectic life in Hong Kong, our children have only limited space and time for play. Recreation and open spaces in urban areas have therefore become a necessity for children in Hong Kong.

Recreation and open spaces are also good places for social gatherings. There, the elderly can play chess, practise Tai Chi and chat, while the young can jog, exercise and meet. They can make new friends, communicate with their friends and mix with people in their age groups, thus enabling them to integrate into society easily. Well-designed and fine recreation and open spaces can beautify our environment. Two decades ago, most of the land as well as slopes behind many buildings in Hong Kong were covered with concrete and nothing was planted thereon. Now, if we take a close look at our environment, we can find that many of these bare sites are now covered with plants or developed into small parks. Greening the environment will enrich the territory and make our life more comfortable and pleasant.

From the economic point of view, providing a pleasant environment for leisure activities through proper planning and effective use of urban spaces will positively contribute to tourism in Hong Kong.

III. The Role of the Urban Council

As a body responsible for cultural and recreational services in Hong Kong, the Urban Council should assume an active role and take the initiative in fighting for more recreation and open spaces in the urban area. Although Chapter 4 of the 'Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines' stipulates the occupation ratios for such spaces in the urban area, very often the standards recommended by the Government cannot be met upon implementation. As the government will conduct a thorough review on the 'Territorial Development Strategy' again this year, the Council should actively respond to the 'Recreation

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