TNAG-1373-FCO40-1819-Ministerial-visits-from-the-UK-to-Hong-Kong-1985 — Page 223

SYNOPSIS

4.

4.1

THE UNIQUENESS OF SAN TIN FROM

A COMMUNITY PLANNING VIEWPOINT*

Government Planning

Community planning is typically a local or regional Government function, and involves 6 basic steps: (1) human & environmental fact collection, (2) integrated fact analysis, (3) legitimate goal-based conceptualization, (4) future environment- improving physical & social programme projection, (5) programme implementation through public/private joint participation, and (6) continuing evaluation.

4.1.1 The Hong Kong Government has made great strides in planning for the future of the people of Hong Kong and the New Territories, and are trying hard to meet community needs by encouraging improvements in physical and social environments. Unfortunately, in the New Territories, the administrative and financial commitment that these planning and social & physical provisions require has fallen far short of meeting the growing needs of many village-community and surrounding rural residents.

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4.1.2 The Yuen Long District Office the planning and administrative arm of Government accountable for the people and environment of San Tin - is working to anticipate the needs and improve the living conditions of the people of the Northwest New Territories. The people of San Tin, however, know that planning can be a long and drawn out process, and are anxious about their local future. They do not want to see their village die.

4.2 PLANNING FOR SAN TIN

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4.2.1 In order to do something about the future not just sit back and let the present take its course the village people decided in early 1977 to take action. To encourage protection of their common heritage, and to preserve their "customary" development rights, the most locally-respected and influential villagers grouped together to form the San Tin Development & Management Company - the STDMC.

*See Volume 2, Chapter 3 for details.

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