Food for thought in population projection

When unveiling the Territorial Development Strategy Review 1996 last month, Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands Bowen Leung said Hong Kong's current population of 6.3 million may increase as much as 8.1 million in the next 15 years.

It was ironic that Mr Leung was talking, in the same breath, about sustainable development. Packing more than six million people into such a small area is no mean feat. Consequently Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated places on the planet.

In the past decade, living standards have improved as a result of economic advancement. At the same time, people began demanding a cleaner, healthier and more spacious environment.

The current environmental degradation is already a source of concern. Further uncontrolled population expansion would bring disastrous consequences to our quality of life.

Hong Kong is an incredibly overcrowded place. Many people live in tiny cubicles and work in a congested environment. The Government's reluctance to develop more recreational facilities in the New Territories and outer islands means people have few places to go at weekends.

When taken to task, Principal Government Town Planner Ted Pryor said the eight million population projection is the 'worst-case scenario', adding it is based on past trends.