1989 — Page 59

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# HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

## ADDRESS BY CHAIRMAN

CHAIRMAN (in English):--Ladies and Gentlemen, the meeting is called to order.

## MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 1989, were confirmed.

## PAPER

The following paper was laid on the table:

(1) Report to the Urban Council by the Director of Urban Services and Secretary, Urban Council, for the month of September 1989.

## QUESTIONS

1.

MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN asked the following question (in English):—I had previously suggested that in order to further beautify Hong Kong, the Urban Council liaise with Government to plant greenery, etc. at suitable spots on elevated pedestrian walkways, which suggestion at the time did not get a favourable response; as Government is now allowing one or more District Boards to plant greenery, etc. on elevated pedestrian walkways, which in all likelihood will have to be maintained by the Urban Services Department out of Urban Council funds, can steps be taken by the Council to liaise and cooperate with other District Boards in this regard, it being noted that this practice of planting greenery and flowers on elevated pedestrian walkways has been very common in another major city in Southeast Asia for many years?

MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG, CHAIRMAN OF THE RECREATION SELECT COMMITTEE replied the question (in English):-This question states that Government is now allowing one or more District Boards to plant greenery, etc. on elevated pedestrian walkways, which will probably have to be maintained by the Urban Services Department out of Urban Council funds. It also asks whether the Council can liaise and cooperate with other District Boards in such efforts whilst noting that this practice of planting on elevated pedestrian walkways has been very common in another major Southeast Asian country/city for many years.

For a number of years the Council, in collaboration with the Highways Department, has sought to intensify planting along old and new highways. The Council for its part, since 1979, has initiated and sponsored 'rolling' two-year programmes for the beautification of old highways and these have had a strong and beneficial environmental effect, e.g. the Wan Chai Reclamation.

Turning to District Boards' proposals to add greenery on to bridge structures, they must be first endorsed by Transport and Highways Departments before they can be considered by the Urban Services Department.

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As regards the subsequent maintenance of these proposed plantings on the bridge structures, it would be of our acute concern considering the normal absence of water supplies and the propensity of the public to use such planted areas as places to dispose of litters as a matter of convenience. It is also noted that plants rarely flourish in these conditions of pollution, shade, and exposure to wind.

The Council's existing policy is that the Department should render horticultural support for District Board and environmental projects where staff resources allow. As a result, maintenance services are being provided for many District Board schemes without staff specifically employed for the purpose. Because of labour shortage, further extensions of these services should be treated in a sympathetic yet selective manner to ensure that Council's funding and manpower are committed prudently and within the scope of existing resources.

Finally, among Southeast Asian countries, Singapore has achieved much success in introducing flowering plants to the support columns of flyovers by the use of climbing frames attached to the structures. These measures have long been resisted in Hong Kong by the Highways Department on technical grounds. However, in the designs of some new bridges, now hinged climbing frames will be incorporated to support climbing plants. If these prove to be operationally effective, their use will be extended, subject to availability of resources.

Members may therefore be assured that the role of the Council in highway beautification is very positive, taking into account the functional needs and costs involved.

MR. HILTON CHEONG-LEEN (in English):-Thank you, Mr. WONG for his reply. He will have noticed from my question that it was primarily aimed at elevated pedestrian walkways. Since I gather this was on the initiative of the Wan Chai District Office, the breakthrough is apparently being made to beautify elevated pedestrian walkways by the Urban Council. Could the question be borne in mind if the experiment of Wan Chai should prove a success? Could this also be applied to other districts as well?

MR. SAMUEL P. W. WONG (in English):-Mr. Chairman, of course, subject to availability of funds and if our shortage of manpower is not that acute, we will certainly have sympathetic consideration.

2.

MR. B. A. BERNACCHI asked the following question (in English):—I have had complaints from various parts in the Eastern District of Hong Kong about refuse collection, and it has even been referred to the Environmental Improvement Committee of the Eastern District Board. These complaints can really be classified under three headings:

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