Exchange system can help to save important heritage sites
A group of legislative councillors visited Macau's heritage sites and suggested Hong Kong follows Macau's good example when formulating heritage conservation policies.
They suggest the Hong Kong government follows Macau, through land exchanges. Under Macau law the government has the first option to buy a heritage building and can 'exchange it for a plot of land of a similar size' ('Macau's lesson for HK on saving the past', July 28).
Like Macau, Hong Kong faces the struggle of economic development as opposed to heritage conservation. The use of land exchanges to facilitate the preservation of heritage sites is not impossible in Hong Kong but there will be some hurdles. A new and clearly-defined set of land policies to permit these land exchanges needs to be thoroughly considered and agreed by the Executive Council.
If the land to be used to exchange for a heritage site is wholly a piece of government land, we need to consider a fair system to determine which heritage site will be exchanged.
We may need to fine-tune the existing grading system for heritage sites. A fair system can help minimise the grey areas and help guard against corruption.
In addition, in the urban area of Hong Kong, the plot ratio for non-domestic and domestic use under the buildings (planning) regulations are 15 and eight (for Class A site) respectively unless they are otherwise controlled under the outline zoning plans or the lease conditions.
Obviously, it is not difficult to foresee that a landowner will develop his/her land up to its permissible plot ratio.
If the land can enjoy additional plot ratio as a result of the transfer of plot ratio of the heritage site under exchange, these extra gross floor areas may result in the permissible plot ratio under the building regulations being exceeded. We may need to amend the building regulations to facilitate heritage conservation policies as well.
I hope our government will study the effectiveness of the policies and implementation measures thoroughly and consult the public.
Phoebe Wong, North Point
