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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
more public money eventually to disentangle the mess that is being created without let or hindrance.
But, to attack pollution or even to prevent it at source is not enough. To improve the environment, it is essential that the authorities set aside far more green areas for the public. Much more land must be found for the people's use in their leisure-time. Be it for parks and gardens, if large enough for the purpose, or as amenity plots and sitting-out areas, where there is little to offer, certainly, more public open spaces are needed in our urban setting for better health and enjoyment. Yet, the Government may be foregoing good opportunities when they arise. Is there perhaps only half-hearted dedication to the cause of planning a better Hong Kong in this respect? Because of our high-density building development, it is even more important that residents should have easy and plentiful means of spending their leisure in attractive surroundings, whether for quiet relaxation or active recreation. Consequently, every opportunity should be seized to develop Crown land for such a commendable purpose in reasonable proportion to other community needs. In this connection, full advantage should also be taken of the Army lands now being relinquished to the Government. Is this really being done in the city? Where they are located in urban areas, such Army lands may well be Hong Kong's very last chance to build a city worthy of the name by enlightened professional planning instead of letting it mushroom as a boom town seemingly at the whim of private enterprise. There is, moreover, the call to correct the faults of bad town-planning of the past and replace the make-shift and unsatisfactory measures, caused by the influx of hundreds of thousands of people, and still not put right altogether.
A generation has passed since then, and Hong Kong has experienced unprecedented affluence in the meantime, so all the usual arguments to excuse the inadequacies still found in our midst are wearing thin. More so, our Government's "problem of people" has been with us for nearly three decades, so ample time has gone by.
However, there is disquiet among people who think about Hong Kong with genuine concern and without vested interests at stake. For there is suspicion of back-tracking on zoning measures. There is worry that expediency may be taking over once again. There is the feeling too that what is of lasting benefit to the community may be glossed over for the sake of raising money. Let us hope all these misgivings are unfounded. Still, let the people beware how public land is being disposed, lest their birthright be sold to the highest bidder in the marketplace.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
Surely, there can be only one criterion for land use that will stand the test of time. Simply, it must be the particular lay-out the general interest of the community requires. It should not be a matter of putting up as much land as possible for commercial/residential development in already overcrowded districts, which would be a move of monetary advantage to the Government. Nor should it be a case of what may be expedient to consider for the moment because of strong lobbies or vocal pressure groups. But, above all else, the primary aim should be to find out how the land could be used for the greatest benefit of the community. So, before committing public land for private development, which has usually no motive other than that of personal or corporate gain, let the Government weigh carefully what the people really need and expect, and not what may accord with the Government's transitory purposes.
Thus, any discussion of the environment always evokes the same strong sentiments. Clearly, all men of goodwill want the new Hong Kong to be a far better planned city. Let this Council resolve that it will be so and join with zeal and a sense of urgency all concerned groups and people to create together a good environment here. By all means, let Council intervene altruistically with all in power to ensure that the lay-out of any district will measure up to public expectations and conform to professional concepts of good town-planning in our age. So that, in due time, each resident may say with pride that he is a citizen of no mean city.
(Mr. B. A. BERNACCHI and Miss Cecilia L. Y. YEUNG arrived at this point.)
PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table:-
Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of March 1976.
QUESTIONS
(1) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question (in English):-
A. (1) Does "Hawker Permitted Area" mean that any hawker may enter and trade in the areas so designated, on any site, on a first come first served basis?
Page 18 of 135
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Page 18 of 135
4
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
more public money eventually to disentangle the mess that is being created without let or hindrance.
But, to attack pollution or even to prevent it at source is not enough. To improve the environment, it is essential that the author- ities set aside far more green areas for the public. Much more land must be found for the people's use in their leisure-time. Be it for parks and gardens, if large enough for the purpose, or as amenity plots and sitting-out areas, where there is little to offer, certainly, more public open spaces are needed in our urban setting for better health and enjoyment. Yet, the Government may be foregoing good opportunities when they arise. Is there perhaps only half-hearted dedication to the cause of planning a better Hong Kong in this respect? Because of our high-density building development, it is even more important that residents should have easy and plentiful means of spending their leisure in attractive surroundings, whether for quiet re- laxation or active recreation. Consequently, every opportunity should be seized to develop Crown land for such a commendable purpose in reasonable proportion to other community needs. In this connection, full advantage should also be taken of the Army lands now being relinquished to the Government. Is this really being done in the city? Where they are located in urban areas, such Army lands may well be Hong Kong's very last chance to build a city worthy of the name by enlightened professional planning instead of letting it mushroom as a boom town seemingly at the whim of private enterprise. There is moreover the call to correct the faults of bad town-planning of the past and replace the make-shift and unsatisfactory measures, caused by the influx of hundreds of thousands of people, and still not put right altogether.
A generation has passed since then and Hong Kong has experienced unprecedented affluence in the meantime, so all the usual arguments to excuse the inadequacies still found in our midst are wearing thin. More so, our Government's "problem of people” has been with us for nearly three decades so ample time has gone by.
However, there is disquiet among people who think about Hong Kong with genuine concern and without vested interests at stake. For there is suspicion of back-tracking on zoning measures. There is worry that expediency may be taking over once again. There is the feeling too that what is of lasting benefit to the community may be glossed over for the sake of raising money. Let us hope all these misgivings are unfounded. Still, let the people beware how public land is being disposed lest their birthright be sold to the highest bidder in the market- place.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
5
Surely, there can be only one criterion for land use that will stand the test of time. Simply, it must be the particular lay-out the general interest of the community requires. It should not be a matter of putting up as much land as possible for commercial/residential develop- ment in already overcrowded districts, which would be a move of monetary advantage to the Government. Nor should it be a case of what may be expedient to consider for the moment because of strong lobbies or vocal pressure groups. But, above all else, the primary aim should be to find out how the land could be used for the greatest benefit of the community. So, before committing public land for private development, which has usually no motive other than that of personal or corporate gain, let the Government weigh carefully what the people really need and expect, and not what may accord with the Government's transitory purposes.
Thus, any discussion of the environment always evokes the same strong sentiments. Clearly, all men of goodwill want the new Hong Kong to be a far better planned city. Let this Council resolve that it will be so and join with zeal and a sense of urgency all concerned groups and people to create together a good environment here. By all means, let Council intervene altruistically with all in power to ensure that the lay-out of any district will measure up to public expectations and conform to professional concepts of good town-planning in our age. So that, in due time, each resident may say with pride that he is a citizen of no mean city.
(Mr. B. A. BERNACCHI and Miss Cecilia L. Y. YEUNG arrived at this point.)
PAPER
The following paper was laid on the table:-
Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of March 1976.
QUESTIONS
(1) MRS. E. ELLIOTT asked the following question (in English):-
A. (1) Does "Hawker Permitted Area" mean that any haw- ker may enter and trade in the areas so designated, on any site, on a first come first served basis?
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