Government supports sustainable environment for Hong Kong
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Hong Kong Secretary for Development Carrie Lam said the government is committed to providing a quality and sustainable living environment for the people of Hong Kong. |
The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSARG) will continue its endeavors to provide a quality and sustainable living environment for the people of Hong Kong, said Secretary for Development Carrie Lam.
Speaking at the October 17 plenary session of an international symposium organized by the Skyscraper Museum in New York City to examine the relationship between vertical density and sustainable solutions in Hong Kong and New York, Mrs. Lam told the audience that Hong Kong’s high density development had accommodated the city’s population increase at one million per decade.
The symposium was organized in conjunction with the "Vertical Cities: Hong Kong/New York" exhibition, which is being held in the Skyscraper Museum until February 2009. The exhibition uses photographs, architectural drawings, maps and large-scale models to present Hong Kong's skyscrapers and high-density development. The exhibition is part of the “New York Celebrates Hong Kong 2008” festival.
“To many visitors, they are amazed to find out that over 44% of Hong Kong’s land area is actually taken up by country parks and special areas,” she said at the symposium. “Hong Kong’s highly efficient public transport system, which takes care of 89% of average daily trips made, is also the envy of many cities.”
However, Mrs. Lam admitted that in recent years, both the civil society and members of the public have voiced concerns about the height and bulk of buildings and their environmental and visual impact, and expressed strong aspirations for preserving heritage buildings, ceasing harbor reclamation, creating quality open space and preserving community networks and local characteristics in urban regeneration.
In response to these aspirations and in an effort to pursue sustainable development in Hong Kong, the HKSARG is committed to finding the right balance through what the Chief Executive referred to as “progressive development,” that is, apart from economic benefits, Hong Kong should strive for benefits to culture, the society and the environment.
Mrs. Lam outlined in her presentation the various initiatives in reviewing development density, promulgating clear development control parameters in statutory plans, preserving and revitalizing heritage buildings, undertaking area-based revitalization projects, promoting green buildings, etc. She also took the opportunity to refer to new initiatives contained in the Chief Executive’s 2008 Policy Address delivered October 15, particularly on harbor-front enhancement and energy efficiency in buildings.
Mrs. Lam said that to achieve the vision of Hong Kong as Asia’s world city, the government will focus on three broad areas in working out the future blueprint of Hong Kong: improving a quality living environment, enhancing economic competitiveness and strengthening links with mainland China.
With the concerted efforts of the community, the government is confident that all those policy measures will help contribute to the sustainable development of Hong Kong, she said.
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The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York (HKETONY) hosted an October 16 opening reception for the international symposium at the Skyscraper Museum. Engaging in a conversation at the reception (from left to right) are: Director and curator of the Skyscraper Museum Carol Willis, Director of HKETONY Monica Chen, Chief Architect of The City of New York, Office of Management and Budget Joyce Lee and Property Director of Hong Kong’s MTR Corporation Thomas Ho. |
During her three-day visit to New York, Mrs. Lam met New York’s Chair of Landmarks Preservation Commission Robert Tierney and the Chair, City Planning Commission and Director of New York City Department of City Planning Amanda Burden to learn about the city’s urban planning and heritage conservation works.
She also visited a number of historic buildings and significant public open spaces in the city, including the Grand Central Terminal, New York Public Library, Madison Square Park, Bryant Park and Union Square Greenmarket.
She officiated, as well, at the performance by Hong Kong’s City Contemporary Dance Company as part of the “New York Celebrates Hong Kong 2008” festival organized by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York and supported by the Hong Kong Tourism Board. The festival promotes Hong Kong's creativity and economic vitality through a series of arts exhibits, opera and dance performances and educational symposiums.
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