Lawmakers were split yesterday on the need for a law to stop developers inducing a 'wall effect' by constructing buildings which cut off airflow to densely populated areas. A motion calling for such a law was defeated.
Directly elected legislators voted 13 to 10 in favour of the motion, moved by unionist legislator Wong Kwok-hing, but it was defeated because of opposition from 16 functional constituency lawmakers.
The motion sought to regulate airflow and building height. Four amendments were also voted down after two hours of debate.
Patrick Lau Sau-shing, one of the four legislators to propose amendments, argued a law would reduce planning flexibility. Frederick Fung Kin-kee proposed an amendment calling for government-related projects to take the lead in reducing development density.
The other amendments sought reviews of planning standards and the independence of the Town Planning Board.
During the debate, lawmakers pointed out areas threatened by a 'wall effect', including the coastal area of West Kowloon and areas around the Tai Wai and Yuen Long railway stations. Most of the developments concerned will be 40 storeys to 60 storeys high.