Page 98 of 120
Page 98 or 12
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HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
those reprovisioned ones the new markets can each accommodate merely 500 odd hawkers, and only one market is completed in a year. For this reason I am of the opinion that there is remote possibility that market stalls can be relied on to solve the problem.
I do wish all members will realize that if the hawkers are to remain trading in the busy streets, the community as a whole will be adversely affected. As we all understand, the urban area was built in accordance with earlier plans which apparently lacked sound town planning. The previous 3 to 6 storeys high structures were re-developed into high-rise buildings in the past 30 years, and population has grown too. Pedestrians are numerous, and vehicles have greatly increased. Therefore, if hawkers are allowed to trade in the streets, they would cause more confusion in the urban area and give rise to a more serious environmental hygiene problem.
At present there are General Duties Teams in the 11 districts of the Urban Services Department and each of them is made up of about 120 members. On the average there are some 3,000 licensed hawkers in each district, but the number of unlicensed hawkers possibly exceed this figure. A look at the ratio between the GDT members and the hawkers at once reveals that effective control and management is totally impossible and the situation is tantamount to herding in the streets. Even the repeated revisions of hawker licence fees in recent years and the heavier fines inflicted on the unlicensed hawkers have failed to achieve a deterrent effect. Therefore, I hope that both Government and the people will support and assist the Council so that all hawkers could be resited. If it is not to be carried out at the grass roots and buck passing is still a common phenomenon, more social mishaps will be created.
Now I would like to make the following suggestions:
1. A careful study to ascertain the number of markets required in the urban area should be made. And, basing on the population figures, the markets should be appropriately distributed in the various districts to meet public demand.
2. In districts where construction of markets is not imminent, crown land should be loaned from the government for building temporary markets to resite the hawkers.
3. The measures prohibiting on-street hawking should be announced in stages and on a district basis.
4. Tight measures against the unlicensed hawkers should be taken. Summonses should be served and stiff penalties imposed. Meanwhile, repeated offenders should be offered appointment service.
5. Proper and efficient publicity should be made by the various government departments concerned.
6. Food stalls in areas under development should be resited to the food stall bazaars in the industrial areas to help solve the workers' lunch problem.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
1. In order to minimize the reluctance of moving the food stalls to the industrial areas, the Council could develop night bazaars in conjunction with the tourist organizations if the situation could be brought under control. A lot of modern night bazaars could be set up to attract tourists and visitors. Such tourist night bazaars could be set up in districts like Kwun Tong, Sham Shui Po, Chai Wan, etc. on an experimental basis.
Administration
The Council's functions mostly bear close relation with the daily life of the people, particularly in the aspect of health services. In addition to the readers' columns in the newspapers and the Ward Offices where complaints from the people are entertained, the Council also accepts telephone complaints to handle cases pertaining to urban services. Most of the cases have been efficiently handled, but there is still room for improvement. What needs to be done is that an active role should be played to prevent the occurrence of such cases. I think that the Council should consider creating a district officer in each and every district to strengthen community relations, to listen to problems of the district and to make in-depth analyses so that the cases could be dealt with before they become serious. Sometimes through public relations, cleansing and amenities work could be done and cultural and recreational activities could be promoted in a more economical and practical way. Part of the power is thus devolved so that demands in the district could be met expeditiously while the Council will not suffer any loss.
Environmental Hygiene
Hong Kong is a densely populated city. Both the urban and the rural areas are always crowded with people. The places are often particularly dirty after holidays. The situation is further worsened by the littering citizens and hawkers who lack public spirit. Apart from education and publicity, prosecution and stiff penalties seem to be the only deterrent. The ten-year-old Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign has turned out to be a waste of energy and money. The influx of illegal immigrants in recent years makes it not possible to solve the housing problem in time. There are many illegal structures on the hill sides and even the crown lands are made refuse dumps. With regard to this, it is hoped that the authorities concerned will clear the crown lands and turn them into sitting-out areas. When these places are put into use and under proper management, they will not be illegally occupied.
As to the on-street refuse collection points, the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee has time and again called on the estate developers to build more refuse store chambers in new buildings in order to facilitate refuse collection and delivery by the Council's vehicles.
With the construction of high-rise buildings, the streets have already been exhaustively used. Therefore, the government should urge the department concerned to pass an appropriate legislation as soon as possible, or else it...
Page 99 of 120
Page 99 or 12
164
163
Page 98 of 120
Page 98 or 12
163
162
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
those reprovisioned ones the new markets can each accommodate merely 500 odd hawkers, and only one market is completed in a year. For this reason I am of the opinion that there is remote possibility that market stalls can of
relied on to solve the problem.
I do wish all members will realize that if the hawkers are to remain trading in the busy streets, the community as a whole will be adversely affected. As we all understand, the urban area was built in accordance with earlier plans which apparently lacked sound town planning. The previous 3 to 6 storeys high structures were re-developed into high-rise buildings in the past 30 years, and population has grown too. Pedestrians are numerous, and vehicles have greatly increased. Therefore, if hawkers are allowed to trade in the streets, they would cause more confusion in the urban area and give rise to a more serious environmental hygiene problem.
At present there are General Duties Teams in the 11 districts of the Urban Services Department and each of them is made up of about 120 members. On the average there are some 3 000 licensed hawkers in each district, but the number of unlicensed hawkers possibly exceed this figure. A look at the ratio between the GDT members and the hawkers at once reveals that effec tive control and management is totally impossible and the situation is tantamount to herding in the streets. Even the repeated revisions of hawker licence fees in recent years and the heavier fines inflicted on the unlicensed hawkers have failed to achieve a deterrent effect. Therefore, I hope that both Government and the people will support and assist the Council so that all hawkers could be resited. If it is not to be carried out at the grass roots and buck passing is still a common phenomenon more social mishaps will be created.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Now I would like to make the following suggestions:
A careful study to ascertain the number of markets required in the urban area should be made. And, basing on the population figures, the markets should be appropriately distributed in the various districts to meet public demand.
In districts where construction of markets is not imminent crown land should be loaned from the government for building temporary markets to resite the hawkers.
The measures prohibiting on-street hawking should be announced in stages and on a district basis.
Tight measures against the unlicensed hawkers should be taken. Sum- monses should be served and stiff penalties imposed. Meanwhile repeated offenders should be offered appointment service.
Proper and efficient publicity should be made by the various government departments concerned.
6. Food stalls in areas under development should be resited to the food stall bazaars in the industrial areas to help solve the workers' lunch problem.
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
1. In order to minimize the reluctance of moving the food stalls to the
industrial areas the Council could develop night bazaars in conjunction with the tourist organizations if the situation could be brought under control. A lot of modern night bazaars could be set up to attract tourists and visitors. Such tourist night bazaars could be set up in districts like Kwun Tong, Sham Shui Po, Chai Wan, etc. on experimental basis.
Administration
The Council's functions mostly bear close relation with the daily life of the people, particularly in the aspect of health services. In addition to the readers' olumns in the newspapers and the Ward Offices where complaints from the are entertained, the Council also accepts telephone complaints to people handle cases pertaining to urban services. Most of the cases have been efficiently handled, but there is still room for improvement. What needs to be done is that an active role should be played to prevent the occurrence of such cases. I think that the Council should consider creating a district officer in each and every district to strengthen community relations, to listen to problems of the district and to make in-depth analyses so that the cases could be dealt with before they become serious. Sometimes through public relations cleansing and amenities work could be done and cultural and recrea- tional activities could be promoted in a more economical and practical way. Part of the power is thus devolved so that demands in the district could be met expeditiously while the Council will not suffer any loss.
Environmental Hygiene
Hong Kong is a densely populated city. Both the urban and the rural areas are always crowded with people. The places are often particularly dirty after holidays. The situation is further worsened by the littering citizens and hawkers who lack public spirit. Apart from education and publicity, prosecu- tion and stiff penalties seem to be the only deterrent. The ten-year-old Keep Hong Kong Clean Campaign has turned out to be a waste of energy and money. The influx of illegal immigrants in recent years makes it not possible to solve the housing problem in time. There are many illegal structures on the hill sides and even the crown lands are made refuse dumps. With regard to this it is hoped that the authorities concerned will clear the crown lands and turn them into sitting-out areas. When these places are put into use and under proper management, they will not be illegally occupied.
As to the on-street refuse collection points, the Environmental Hygiene Select Committee has time and again called on the estate developers to build more refuse store chambers in new buildings in order to facilitate refuse collection and delivery by the Council's vehicles.
With the construction of high-rise buildings the streets have already been exhaustively used. Therefore, the government should urge the department concerned to pass an appropriate legislation as soon as possible, or else it
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