Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour: when will the government put people before money?
In Kowloon, the new extension of the Hong Kong Museum of Art now being constructed right on the Tsim Sha Tsui harbourfront has degraded the beautiful view of the harbour, which is Hong Kong’s greatest tourist attraction.
Urban planners want harbourfront markets and cafes, not cookie-cutter development
Yet, the establishment of the “Harbourfront Authority” was suddenly scrapped by the present administration without any explanation or justification.
Meanwhile, the harbourfront is being ruined by callous planning by the government and unsightly developments by selfish commercial interests.
Hong Kong government kept harbour advisory body ‘in the dark’
While the harbour is now reasonably safe from further extensive and excessive reclamation, it can only be properly enjoyed if the harbourfront is sensibly planned and sensitively utilised. The harbour should be made accessible to the public and planned for the enjoyment by the community and not for land sales to raise more money for the government’s already swollen coffers.
We pray to see Victoria Harbour in its rightful beauty in our lifetimes
Our society demands that the government keep its promise to give Hong Kong a “world-class harbourfront” and to proceed with the “Harbourfront Authority” without further delay.
When will government officials learn that proper town planning is about people and put people before money? They should change their mindset before our harbour and harbourfront are ruined forever.
Winston Ka-Sun Chu, honorary adviser, Society for Protection of the Harbour