Updating the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines and increasing community facilities to enhance living environment(2016/12/08)

Deputy President, the living environment invarious districts has become more crowded with the increase in population.This, coupled with the public's ever-growing aspiration for additional community facilities to improve people's livelihood, are the problems which the Government must address squarely.

Mr CHAN Han-pan proposed to update the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines ("HKPSG"). I agree in principle that suitable adjustments be made to Hong Kong's planning, especially in the provision of parking spaces, public markets, as well as cultural, leisure and sports venues, and so on. At the same time, the Government should ensure the optimal use of the existing environment and ancillary resources in the communities to serve the local residents, while giving people a feel of the unique characteristics in different districts through the synergy achieved by the complementary use of existing resources in each district. Hence, I do not agree that quantitative targets should be implemented mandatorily in all communities. If community facilities are planned by using the same standards across the board, the characteristics of each district will be taken away. It is just like the criticisms made by some Members a moment ago that shopping malls under Link Real Estate Investment Trust are all the same without any individual characteristics. Moreover, unique resources in each community may also be wasted easily.

As we all know, Hong Kong is a small place with a large population, and people are living in a crowded environment. Cultural and recreational activities thus have a pivotal role to play in ensuring the public's mental and physical well-being. That is why I would like to focus my speech on discussing the principles of planning for cultural and recreational facilities.

Firstly, planning for cultural and recreational facilities must be made fro man overall perspective. At present, we note that when planning for cultural and recreational facilities in individual communities, the Government will also propose an overall direction of planning, taking into account their unique characteristics. For example, in May this year, the Finance Committee approved the funding application to construct a cycle track network connecting Sheung Shui and Tuen Mun. Upon completion, the cycle track network will span across 60 km in length, connecting Ma On Shan, Sha Tin, Tai Po, Fanling, Sheung Shui, Yuen Long and Tuen Mun. If funding for the construction of the section between Tuen Mun and Tsuen Wan is also approved later, the cycle track will have a length of 82 km in total. Members should also recall that the cycle tracks in the network were originally confined to individual areas, without any plan of connection. It was not until 2007 that the Government decided to connect the cycle tracks to form a comprehensive network and upgrade the standards of the original cycle tracks in phases. As such, the cycle track network will connect the six districts and become a significant infrastructure for both local residents as well as Hong Kong people at large. The above example illustrates the importance of planning from an overall perspective for people's livelihood.

Secondly, planning for cultural and recreational facilities should give due regard to the local conditions. The Government should take the initiative to conduct a comprehensive stock-taking exercise for all local scenic spots and cultural relics with characteristics across the territory, so that they can be developed into iconic tourist spots to attract both local residents and overseas visitors, on the premise that the environment as well as the livelihood of residents in the communities will not be affected. As we all know, through concerted efforts from all parties concerned, the Hong Kong Global Geopark of China was added to the UNESCO's Global Geoparks Network on 17 September 2011, and became the 26th world-class national geoparks of China. Hong Kong Global Geopark of China is also unique because of its location in an international metropolitan city. Another example is the MacLehose Trail. This year, the MacLehose Trail was cited as one of the world's top 20 hiking trails by the United States National Geographic Channel. Through promotion, these sites of precious local natural resources have gained world recognition. As we encourage members of the public and tourists to visit these places, we must of course ensure that reasonable arrangements are made for their protection accordingly, or else we may lose such honour forever some day.

Lastly, the Government should give due regard to the actual circumstances of the districts when promoting the provision of additional cultural and recreational facilities. Last year, the Government took an important step to allocate $100 million for each of the 18 District Councils to implement signature projects in the community. Over the past year or so, the District Councils respectively put forward proposals in accordance with their actual circumstances,with many being distinctive and innovative cultural and recreational projects such as those relating to the trails in Sha Tau Kok in the North District, the SharpIsland Pier in Sai Kung and the Tseung Kwan O Heritage Hiking Trail, the revitalization of the Cattle Depot Artist Village in Kowloon City, the Lam Tsuen Wishing Square in Tai Po, the Music Fountains in Kwun Tong, and so on. With the successful implementation of these projects, the relevant facilities can been joyed not only by local residents but also residents in other districts as well as tourists, serving to enhance the recreational and tourism values of individual districts, while invigorating the local economy and creating additional start-up opportunities for young people. 

Apart from the implementation of new projects, monuments with historical value can be found in many districts throughout the territory. For example, in the areas of Central and Sheung Wan around us, we have the Government House, the Peak Tram Lower Terminus, the Central Police Station Compound in Hollywood Road, PMQ, Kom Tong Hall, Man Mo Temple, Cat Street, and so on. By taking walking tours in these areas, local residents as well as tourists can gain a better understanding of Hong Kong's history and tourism resources. As a matter of fact, equally interesting stories that are worth sharing can also be found in other districts of Hong Kong. I hold that the Government should support the District Councils and relevant organizations to explore the development of different themes in the districts, taking into account their actual circumstances, so as to enrich the cultural contents of the communities, while enhancing the public's understanding of Hong Kong's geography and history.

With these remarks, Deputy President, I support the original motion.