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SCMP Reporter

Should developers get extra floor space for adding green features?
 Property developers  who cut back on their developments to introduce  green elements into their designs should be rewarded with extra floor space.
 But those who use it as a  trick  to encroach into public areas by growing trees on  footpaths  do not deserve this  reward. Planting trees on footpaths is the government's responsibility,  and should not be negotiated with builders.
 Planting greenery on rooftops and podiums and creating sky gardens should be the  social responsibility of all developers  and must be integrated into all their designs. 
Developers should not use this as a bargaining chip to get more floor space from the government.  In fact, the government must make it mandatory for developers to provide greenery  in all their projects.
Nalini Daswani, Tsim Sha Tsui
Should CCTV be installed in  busy pedestrian areas?
 Last month, two bottles of acid were thrown onto one of the busiest streets in Mong Kok, splashing pedestrians  and injuring 30 people. This happened before a CCTV camera system was installed.  
The acid attack  was an outrageous act and cannot be justified. However, sometimes  people  snap amid the constant disruption of noise pollution.  
 Given the noise pollution problems in Sai Yeung Choi Street South,  we cannot rule out the possibility of a repeat of some form of antisocial behaviour like the acid attack.  But  we should not rush into  installing CCTV and there should be public  consultation.  
Being able to monitor residents' activities, whether legal or not, is to some extent an intrusion of privacy. Rushing through the procedures needed to get security cameras in place might in the short term allay people's fears.
 However, no matter how well-intentioned the motives, it might lead to abuses of the system.
Alex Lau Jun-yan, Sha Tin
How can dragon-boat racing  be promoted?
 Last month's Tuen Ng  festival gave people the opportunity to enjoy dragon-boat racing at  locations in Hong Kong  like the Shing Mun River  and  Stanley.
 However, although there are several boats racing at different locations every year, I seldom see adverts for these events on television or in newspapers. To promote this traditional event, I do hope that our government can consider subsidising event organisers so they can  advertise on television.
It would also be good to have an event at Victoria Harbour, as people could easily get to the waterfront.  
However, this would require careful planning.
R. Hau, Kowloon Bay
Should the height limit for Quarry Bay be relaxed?
 I refer to the letter by Miranda Szeto,  head of public affairs, Swire Properties (Talkback, June 2)  in reply to my letter (Talkback, May 21).  Developers always describe their projects in glowing terms. The response from Ms Szeto to my letter is a typical example.
 Perhaps your Talkback question could be 'Does the reality of One Island East live up to the hype?' 
It would be good to hear the opinions of  residents and  workers in the area.
Candy Tam, Wan Chai
What do you think of Hong Kong's record on racial equality?
 It is not always easy to identify acts of racial discrimination in Hong Kong. 
 Some acts of discrimination may not seem  intentional. 
I think most Hongkongers do not intend to show prejudice towards members of ethnic minorities. However, it may come across that way because they are unfamiliar with that minority.
 I understand that some members of ethnic minorities have difficulty finding work in Hong Kong. 
I can appreciate that this may sometimes be down to an unfair attitude on the part of an employer. However, sometimes there may be communication problems. On some occasions, an individual from an ethnic minority, who has problems getting a job for this reason, should try harder to integrate into society rather than be so quick to  blame people.  
 However, I do think racial-equality guidelines for the disciplined services are a good idea. Police  are expected to be impartial. 
Indeed, officers are on the front line and are in effect supposed to be role models. 
 However, it is up to all of us to act in a responsible manner on this issue. We should all do our bit to work against racial discrimination. 
The Hong Kong government has helped matters by introducing the Race Discrimination Ordinance,  but there is still room for improvement. We must make progress on this issue. This may not be the most serious issue we face,  but it is important. 
Cindy Choi, Ho Man Tin
Should more ice-cream  hawker licences be issued?
 I think that if there are people willing to become  ice-cream hawkers, then they should be given the opportunity to do so. 
If these hawkers manage to  make a dent in the  sales of the ever-growing number of Circle K and 7-Eleven  stores, then all the better. Does the government have a limit on how many (so-called) convenience stores there can be? I doubt it.
Andrew Maxwell, Sai Kung
On other matters ...
 I have never seen the celebrity Edison Chen Koon-hei  in a movie nor have I heard any of his recordings, but I have read of the sex-photos saga that  continues to hit headlines to this day.
 I wonder why his totally private and not illegal affairs, and the photos stolen from his computer without his consent, have led to this obviously talented young man being victimised. Let's face it, sex is sex and everyone does it in one form or another and this was personal. 
He is being crucified for public entertainment. I think it is terrible that the media and even some members of the public have chosen to do this.
Leave the guy and the girls alone and let them get on with their lives. I for one would support his return to the entertainment scene. He had sex with another star, so what? Don't we have more important issues like the global financial crisis and H1N1 to worry about?
To those of you who criticise  Chen, I say: 'Get a life.'
Ted Wilson, Hangzhou




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