Hong Kong has lost more than 300 thoroughfares to development over the past century. With each new structure that wipes out the blocks they used to occupy goes a part of our history. To ensure that the character of our city remains intact and our culture is preserved, authorities need to adopt a new approach towards urban renewal.
Geography has played a large part in how our city has evolved. The narrow, winding lanes and streets of older areas cling to and climb the hillsides. Each twist and turn down a street such as Hollywood Road is full of pleasant surprises. The experience is sadly lacking in newer areas - as clearly shown by the unimaginative planning of districts such as Tuen Mun.
We can only imagine the neighbourhoods that have been lost from grainy photographs and the names of the avenues, streets and lanes they used to occupy. Grand Millennium Plaza in Central obliterated from the map Wing Shing Street, popularly known as Duck Egg Street because of the produce sold from shops there. There are numerous other such examples across the city that we should count as sorely missed.
A number of heritage issues of late have prompted the government to give greater thought to development. The focus has generally been on individual buildings, monuments and places. These alone do not make a city, though; consideration should also be given to the character of districts.
A better monitoring system is needed to protect our streetscapes. It should not hamper our development, but nor should our striving for improved lives bulldoze our past. A sensible approach to achieving the right balance would be through a public consultation process when new projects are raised. This way, we have an opportunity to better determine the look and character of our city.
