No simple solution to flats crisis

Solving the housing problem has become a top priority for the Hong Kong SAR and its chief executive Leung Chun-ying. This was reflected in his policy address.

Some solutions suggested include increasing Hong Kong's land supply by reclamation, new town development and having more urban renewal projects.

However C. Y.'s determination alone may not be enough and there are groups opposed to his plans. For example, some people would rather protect the habitats of the Chinese white dolphins than help Hong Kong citizens. I accept this is an important environmental issue. Also, the government needs to look at the "screen-wall" effect from large apartment block developments and heritage issues such as preserving people's collective memories.

Hong Kong is a small city, but some readers might be surprised to learn the proportion of land that has already been developed.

Out of a total land area of 1,104 square kilometres, private housing only takes up 25 square kilometres, subsidised housing 16 square kilometres and rural settlements 35 square kilometres. How could so little developed land possibly be able to accommodate seven million people at affordable prices?

The policy address laid out 10 short- and medium-term measures, including the provision of more than 300 hectares of land for residential purposes and proceeding with North East New Territories New Development Areas plan; 181,800 housing units are to be built. The government will also investigate the possibility of developing Hung Shui Kiu, New Territories North, Yuen Long and Lantau in an effort to fully utilise our land resources.