1995 — Page 226

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

Page 226 of 485

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

201

'RESOLVED that in view of the many problems associated with Urban Council markets which affect the effectiveness of market operation, this Council should conduct a comprehensive review to improve upon the existing design and layout of Urban Council markets with a view to meeting the needs of the community.'

He said (in Cantonese):—I rise to move the motion standing in my name.

Improvement of Urban Council Markets

Of the many services bearing the Urban Council logo, public markets is a major and heavily used facility affecting the livelihood of the public at large. The markets managed by our Council, together with the on-street fixed hawker pitches, serve a very important function in providing retail trading outlets for fresh food products to the community. At present, the Council manages a total of 63 markets, comprising 17 markets in Urban Council building complexes and 46 free-standing markets. Over 10,148 stalls in these markets offer a wide choice of commodities, ranging from fresh and cooked food to household items. Well patronised by the public, they can be regarded as one of the very popular and essential services in our Council's portfolio of facilities. Nevertheless, there are still the perennial problems associated with illegal on-street hawking and poor design of the Urban Council's markets which adversely affect the effectiveness of market operation.

Problems with Illegal Hawking

Illegal on-street hawking generates various problems and poses a nuisance to the community. It also causes obstruction to the pedestrian passageways, blocks the fire escape routes and dirties the common public areas. The unhygienic practice of illegal food vendors is detrimental to the health of their clients. In the past 3 years, our Council spent on average HK$58.4 million per year in the control of illegal hawking in the urban areas, including resources used in training, remuneration, overtime and other overheads for 1,850 staff in about 100 hawker control teams.

It is clear that a huge portion of our Council's resources is taken up in alleviating illegal hawking problems which are caused by a shortage of markets. These problems can be reduced if the Council can provide well-managed and patronised markets. Furthermore, private or public housing estates should also provide their own market facilities to cater to the pressing public needs arising from changes in population profile, and also from the lack of urban land for building Urban Council markets.

Uniqueness of Markets in Hong Kong

In providing for market facilities, we must consider the needs of the public. Hong Kong being a predominantly Chinese community, we should take into account the eating habits of the Chinese, i.e., they prefer buying fresh food rather than frozen food. Their shopping habits are often based on the convenience of purchase. They usually visit markets once or twice a day, so closeness of markets to residence areas is a necessary condition for commercial viability.

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Page 226 of 485 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 201 'RESOLVED that in view of the many problems associated with Urban Council markets which affect the effectiveness of market operation, this Council should conduct a comprehensive review to improve upon the existing design and layout of Urban Council markets with a view to meeting the needs of the community.' He said (in Cantonese):—I rise to move the motion standing in my name. Improvement of Urban Council Markets Of the many services bearing the Urban Council logo, public markets is a major and heavily used facility affecting the livelihood of the public at large. The markets managed by our Council, together with the on-street fixed hawker pitches, serve a very important function in providing retail trading outlets for fresh food products to the community. At present, the Council manages a total of 63 markets, comprising 17 markets in Urban Council building complexes and 46 free-standing markets. Over 10,148 stalls in these markets offer a wide choice of commodities, ranging from fresh and cooked food to household items. Well patronised by the public, they can be regarded as one of the very popular and essential services in our Council's portfolio of facilities. Nevertheless, there are still the perennial problems associated with illegal on-street hawking and poor design of the Urban Council's markets which adversely affect the effectiveness of market operation. Problems with Illegal Hawking Illegal on-street hawking generates various problems and poses a nuisance to the community. It also causes obstruction to the pedestrian passageways, blocks the fire escape routes and dirties the common public areas. The unhygienic practice of illegal food vendors is detrimental to the health of their clients. In the past 3 years, our Council spent on average HK$58.4 million per year in the control of illegal hawking in the urban areas, including resources used in training, remuneration, overtime and other overheads for 1,850 staff in about 100 hawker control teams. It is clear that a huge portion of our Council's resources is taken up in alleviating illegal hawking problems which are caused by a shortage of markets. These problems can be reduced if the Council can provide well-managed and patronised markets. Furthermore, private or public housing estates should also provide their own market facilities to cater to the pressing public needs arising from changes in population profile, and also from the lack of urban land for building Urban Council markets. Uniqueness of Markets in Hong Kong In providing for market facilities, we must consider the needs of the public. Hong Kong being a predominantly Chinese community, we should take into account the eating habits of the Chinese, i.e., they prefer buying fresh food rather than frozen food. Their shopping habits are often based on the convenience of purchase. They usually visit markets once or twice a day, so closeness of markets to residence areas is a necessary condition for commercial viability. Page 226 of 485 Page 226 of 485 Page 226 of 485

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Page 226 of 485 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 201 'RESOLVED that in view of the many problems associated with Urban Council markets which affect the effectiveness of market operation, this Council should conduct a comprehensive review to improve upon the existing design and layout of Urban Council markets with a view to meeting the needs of the community." He said (in Cantonese):—I rise to move the motion standing in my name. Improvement of Urban Council Markets Of the many services bearing the Urban Council logo, public markets is a major and heavily used facility affecting the livelihood of the public at large. The markets managed by our Council, together with the on-street fixed hawker pitches, serve a very important function in providing retail trading outlets for fresh food products to the community. At present, the Council manages a total of 63 markets. comprising 17 markets in Urban Council building complexes and 46 free standing markets. Over 10 148 stalls in these markets offer a wide choice of commodities, ranging from fresh and cooked food to household items. Well patronised by the public, they can be regarded as one of the very popular and essential services in our Council's portfolio of facilities. Nevertheless, there are still the perennial problems associated with illegal on-street hawking and poor design of the Urban Council's markets which adversely affect the effectiveness of market operation. Problems with Illegal Hawking Illegal on-street hawking generates various problems and poses a nuisance to the community. It also causes obstruction to the pedestrian passageways, block the fire escape routes and dirty the common public areas. The unhygienic practice of illegal food vendors is detrimental to the health of their clients. In the past 3 years, our Council spent on average HK$584 million per year in the control of illegal hawking in the urban areas, including resources used in training, remuneration, overtime and other overheads for 1 850 staff in about 100 hawker control teams. It is clear that a huge portion of our Council's resources is taken up in alleviating illegal hawking problems which are caused by shortage of markets. These problems can be reduced if the Council can provide well managed and patronised markets. Furthermore, private or public housing estates should also provide their own market facilities to cater to the pressing public needs arising from changes in population profile, and also from the lack of urban land for building Urban Council markets. Uniqueness of Markets in Hong Kong In providing for market facilities, we must consider the needs of the public. Hong Kong being a predominantly Chinese community, we should take into account the eating habits of the Chinese. i.e. they prefer buying fresh food rather than frozen food. Their shopping habits are often based on convenience of purchase. They usually visit markets once or twice a day, so closeness of markets to residence areas is a necessary condition for commercial viability. Page 226 of 485 Page 226 of 485 Page 226 of 485

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Page 226 of 485

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

201

He said (in Cantonese):—I rise to move the motion standing in my name.

Improvement of Urban Council Markets

Of the many services bearing the Urban Council logo, public markets is a major and heavily used facility affecting the livelihood of the public at large. The markets managed by our Council, together with the on-street fixed hawker pitches, serve a very important function in providing retail trading outlets for fresh food products to the community. At present, the Council manages a total of 63 markets. comprising 17 markets in Urban Council building complexes and 46 free standing markets. Over 10 148 stalls in these markets offer a wide choice of commodities, ranging from fresh and cooked food to household items. Well patronised by the public, they can be regarded as one of the very popular and essential services in our Council's portfolio of facilities. Nevertheless, there are still the perennial problems associated with illegal on-street hawking and poor design of the Urban Council's markets which adversely affect the effectiveness of market operation.

Problems with Illegal Hawking

Illegal on-street hawking generates various problems and poses a nuisance to the community. It also causes obstruction to the pedestrian passageways, block the fire escape routes and dirty the common public areas. The unhygienic practice of illegal food vendors is detrimental to the health of their clients. In the past 3 years, our Council spent on average HK$584 million per year in the control of illegal hawking in the urban areas, including resources used in training, remuneration, overtime and other overheads for 1 850 staff in about 100 hawker control teams.

It is clear that a huge portion of our Council's resources is taken up in alleviating illegal hawking problems which are caused by shortage of markets. These problems can be reduced if the Council can provide well managed and patronised markets. Furthermore, private or public housing estates should also provide their own market facilities to cater to the pressing public needs arising from changes in population profile, and also from the lack of urban land for building Urban Council markets.

Uniqueness of Markets in Hong Kong

In providing for market facilities, we must consider the needs of the public. Hong Kong being a predominantly Chinese community, we should take into account the eating habits of the Chinese. i.e. they prefer buying fresh food rather than frozen food. Their shopping habits are often based on convenience of purchase. They usually visit markets once or twice a day, so closeness of markets to residence areas is a necessary condition for commercial viability.

1995 — Page 226

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