Stop whining about urban planning and get involved before it’s too late, says Winnie Yeung

Sometimes you feel helpless. One week, they tear down the Star Ferry pier; the next we see the old neighborhood of Kwun Tong being visualized as a “glass maze” with a giant dome. After that, we see a plan for tearing down the wet market on Graham Street in Central. And before you can catch your breath, we are told Queen’s Pier will be relocated to make room for a harborfront highway.

Week after week, new cryptic and confusing announcements about the future of our city come from the government and the Urban Renewal Authority. Week after week, they show us their terrible plans and we get upset about how profoundly stupid they are. Many of us think all we can do is complain about it over lunch.
But remember West Kowloon. The government realized the public was most adamantly opposed to their ideas, and so halted the project (at least for now). Who told the government how the rest of us felt? Volunteer concern groups.
We’re not taking sides here, but the fact is the government does allow us to speak up before they decide on redevelopment, though usually it's difficult to find out when these consultations occur.

Veteran harbor activist Paul Zimmerman provides a simple reason for why we should get involved: “Hong Kong has the opportunity to be great, but because the government – which holds all the power – sometimes puts business interests before the people’s interests, a third power needs to be organized and active.” That third power is us. This is how you can help.

Ongoing Consultations
The government rarely do extensive campaigns to encourage people to submit their opinions. These are the current ones happening right now.

The Future of Queen’s Pier
What: The government originally said they would tear the pier down in order to build the new Central-Wan Chai bypass. Then we all spoke up (albeit about Star Ferry), so they withdrew the plan from the Town Planning Board and are now conducting a new round of consultations.

Why get involved: We already lost the Star Ferry pier “battle,” so this is our last chance to save an element of that historic area. There has already been a lot of public opinion ridiculing the government’s suggestion to relocate the pier (remember when the government moved Murray Building to Stanley and forgot how to reassemble it?).

How to get involved: Send your opinion to Special Duties Section, Planning Department, 15/F, North Point Government Offices, 333 Java Rd., North Point or sdpd@pland.gov.hk.
Deadline: June 30
 
The Lantau Makeover
What: They’ve built the airport and Disneyland, but that’s not enough. One of its projects on the island is literally called “Facelift of Mui Wo.” The basic concept is to continue building major economic infrastructure in North Lantau while protecting the other parts for nature conservation.

Why get involved: It has dragged on for years and somehow the government still hasn’t made up its mind yet. Chip in to tell them if we really need more development in North Lantau (meaning less green).
How to get involved: Send your opinion to Sai Kung and Islands District Planning Office, 15/F, Sha Tin Government Offices, 1 Sheung Wo Che Rd., Sha Tin.
Deadline: The consultation is now over but the government said they still welcome comments and ideas.

Drying Up The Wet Market On Peel/Graham Streets
What: The Urban Renewal Authority announced in February that they would like to turn the iconic, century-old wet market into Hong Kong’s first “Old Shops Street” (naturally, that also comes with two residential buildings, a hotel and an office tower at least 26 storeys tall).

Why: The heritage might be lost forever after the hawkers are driven away and the government builds something artificially “nostalgic” there.
How to get involved: The URA says they will continue to listen to the public on this project. Call them on 2588-2333 or email  inquiry@mail1.ura.org.hk.

Building a Glass Dome In Kwun Tong
What: Old buildings in the Kwun Tong area surrounded by Hip Wo Street, Kwun Tong Road and Mut Wah Street will be torn down to build a 280-meter high building, four residential buildings (each at least 130 meters in height), and an oval-shaped civic center made of glass.  

Why get involved: Kwun Tong can be filthy with old buildings seemingly on the verge of crumbling, but do we really need to tear down everything and build a packed area with skyscrapers and a huge dome?

How to get involved: The initial consultation ended two weeks ago but the statutory public consultation, which lasts for two months, will start soon after the Town Planning Board accepts the plan.

The New Government HQ At Tamar
What: The rides and games at World Carnival at Tamar have been cleared away so the government can build their new fancy headquarters there. The $5.2 billion project will feature a new 130-meter tall government building and new Legco headquarters. Four designs have come out for the public to choose from, but the government will ultimately decide.

Why get involved: World-renowned architect Frank Gehry proposed to build a museum there, but apparently the government disagreed. Do you want the premium land by the waterfront to be filled with high-rise government buildings? Although it seems like our only option is to choose one of the designs, don’t forget what happened with the West Kowloon consultation, when all three of the proposals were soundly rejected by the public. 

How to get involved: There is an exhibition of the four plans at Heritage Discovery Centre in Kowloon Park until May 27. The public can submit their ideas there. Or submit your ideas to tamar@cso.gov.hk.
Deadline: May 27
 
Others
There are many other consultations about planning happening now. Visit www.info.gov.hk/tpb/application/applications02_e.htm for the complete list.