URA is trying to help people living in slums
I refer to the comments about the Urban Renewal Authority (URA) from B. Park, M. Chung, D. Lo and J. Pat ('Government is destroying the things that make HK unique', January 17).
The URA was established to improve the conditions of residents living in dilapidated areas.
To tackle urban decay, we adopt a holistic 4Rs urban renewal strategy comprising not only redevelopment but also rehabilitation, preservation and revitalisation. We conduct community engagement programmes lasting several years for major projects. We consult stakeholders and utilise relevant experts in tailoring renewal solutions appropriate to the needs of individual areas.
To date, apart from our redevelopment work, we have rehabilitated more than 400 buildings comprising 33,000 units. We are preserving some 40 old buildings and are planning preservation of many more.
Slum housing is often not only dilapidated, but also lacks basic sanitary facilities and lifts to carry residents up to high floors. Such substandard housing is often unfortunately located above ground floor shops like those of your correspondents. Nevertheless, it would be unacceptable for a modern, developed and compassionate city like Hong Kong to ignore the plights of families living in such slums who need our community's help. We recognise that in helping residents, we cannot avoid disrupting the ground floor businesses. We, therefore, compensate such businesses. Wherever possible, we try to retain and enhance the vibrancy of the neighbourhoods.
It is simply untrue to claim that the entire fabric of Graham Street/Peel Street will be destroyed.
