It is fortuitous that Urban Renewal Authority (URA) chairman Barry Cheung Chun-yuen lifts weights as part of his exercise regime. The agency he leads is about to carry a heavier load for heritage preservation.
A government-led review announced last week aims to set a new direction for urban renewal with more heed to heritage conservation, community networks and rehabilitation of old buildings. Pending the outcome, the government is allowing the URA to use part of its HK$10 billion seed money to step up revitalisation of old areas and conservation of historic buildings.
'Circumstance and what the community expects change all the time,' said Mr Cheung. 'The tools that we need and the approach that we take to tackle urban renewal need to reflect the changing reality.' That might mean strengthening planning tools and responsibility to enable the URA to implement a vision everyone can agree on, he added.
'The strategy review will, I hope, define our objectives, what problems we're trying to solve and then say this is how we'll do it. A fresh assessment of the needs would be a good place to start,' said the former McKinsey consultant.
The starting point for the URA, which succeeded the Land Development Corporation (LDC) in 2001, was to tackle urban decay and improve the living conditions of residents in slum areas. This meant knocking down blocks of dilapidated buildings, compensating owners and tenants and building new towers.
'Redevelopment is one of the best poverty alleviation measures that exists today,' said Mr Cheung.