HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
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level of importance of the problems. On the other hand, for new markets, we must implement our new policy which comes up as a result of the policy review.
Whether improving the old markets or planning for the new markets, a basic change must be made in our market policy. We must change the crisis-remedy concept of building markets mainly to accommodate on-street hawkers. Instead, markets should be provisions retail centres which are planned in line with overall city planning and accord with population distribution and geographical location, and which are convenient to the users. Accessibility, clean environment, wide passageways, good illumination, air-conditioning, etc. are all desirable factors for an ideal modern market.
Our markets now have so many problems all because we have adopted the crisis-response policy. For instance, the Po On Road Market in Sham Shui Po. In order to accommodate hawkers in the nearby areas, the vegetable and fruit stalls in this market are densely packed. At present, there are 460 fruit and vegetable stalls and 250 dry goods stalls in the market. As a result, supply outweighs demand and the stalls have become unviable. Another example is the Java Road Market Cooked Food Centre which was built in mid-1992 to accommodate the on-street cooked food stalls. This Cooked Food Centre is less than 8 metres apart from residential buildings but it has no air-conditioning facilities. The 320 households living in the West Block of the North Point Estate have to suffer the fumes and noise produced by the Cooked Food Centre. Several years have passed already and yet no improvement has been made. There is also the Shui Wo Street Market, the passageways of which are narrow and the stalls are small. The stalls in the midway of the passageways or in dead corners are poorly patronized. In fact, many of our markets are poorly ventilated, hot and air-polluted. Several Members have mentioned some of them and I wish to list a few more, such as Yue Wan Market, Sai Wan Ho Market, Aberdeen Market, Centre Street Market, Shui Wo Street Market, Po On Road Market and Ngau Tau Kok Market, etc.
Besides, the new U.C. markets being planned are also constrained by the out-dated policies. We only alter the designs here and there but lack a far-sighted concept which can follow social progress and meet the demand of the public. One significant example is the new Chai Wan U.C. Complex which still does not have full air-conditioning facilities. The design of many markets in the pipeline are still of castle type. The concept of commercial operation has not been adopted in the design of ground floors for market buildings. While ground floor shop premises should have high commercial value, our market buildings' ground floors are not put into their best use. This is in fact a waste.
Therefore, the Urban Council must conduct a comprehensive review on its market policy in time to improve the designs and facilities of the markets and to provide high-quality market services to the public. The Chairman's motion is timely and I hope Members will support the motion. Subject to the endorsement of the motion, I hope the relevant Select Committees and Working Group can follow
Page 242 of 485
Page 242 of 485
Page 242 of 485
Page 242 of 485
HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL
217
level of importance of the problems. On the other hand, for new markets, we musi implement our new policy which comes up as a result of the policy review.
Whether improving the old markets or planning for the new markets, a basic change must be made in our market policy. We must change the crisis-remedy concept of building markets mainly to accomodate on-street hawkers. Instead, markets should be provisions retail centres which are planned in line with overall city planning and accord with population distribution and geographical location, and which are convenient to the users. Accessibility, clean environment, wide passageways, good illumination, air-conditioning, etc are all desirable factors for an ideal modern market.
Our markets now have so many problems all because we have adopted the crisis-response policy. For instance, the Po On Road Market in Sham Shui Po. In order to accommodate hawkers in the nearby areas, the vegetable and fruit stalls in this market are densely packed. At present, there are 460 fruit and vegetable stalls and 250 dry goods stalls in the market. As a result, supply outweighs demand and the stalls have become inviable. Another example is the Java Road Market Cooked Food Centre which was built in mid 1992 to accomodate the on-street cooked food stalls. This Cooked Food Centre is less than 8 metres apart from residential buildings but it has no air-conditioning facilities. The 320 households living in the West Block of the North Point Estate have to suffer the fumes and noise produced by the Cooked Food Centre. Several years have passed already and yet no improvement has been made,. There is also the Shui Wo Street Market, the passageways of which are narrow and the stalls are small. The stalls in the midway of the passageways or in dead corners are poorly patronized. In fact, many of our markets are poorly ventilated, hot and air polluted. Several Members have mentioned some of them and I wish to list a few more, such as Yue Wan Market. Sai Wan Ho Market, Aberdeen Market, Centre Street Market. Shui Wo Street Market, Po On Road Market and Ngau Tau Kok Market, etc.
Besides, the new U.C. markets being planned are also constrained by the out- dated policies. We only alter the designs here and there but lack a far-sighted concept which can follow social progress and meet the demand of the public. One significant example is the new Chai Wan U.C. Complex which still does not have full air-conditioning facilities. The design of many markets in the pipeline are still of castle type. The concept of commercial operation has not been adopted in the design of ground floors for market buildings. While ground floor shop premises should have high commercial value, our market buildings' ground floors are not put into their best use. This is in fact a waste.
Therefore, the Urban Council must conduct a comprehensive review on its market policy in time to improve the designs and facilities of the markets and to provide high quality market services to the public. The Chairman's motion is timely and I hope Members will support the motion. Subject to the endorsement of the motion, I hope the relevant Select Committees and Working Group can follow
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Page 242 of 485
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