Ian L. McHarg, who for over three decades was an influential advocate and practitioner of ecological planning, would have plenty to advise Hong Kong about, were he still alive.
This Scottish immigrant to the US was presented with the National Medal of Arts by president George H.W. Bush in 1990, and the Japan Prize in 2000, among numerous other accolades.
These awards were in recognition of his work in formulating a workable methodology, nicknamed the "layer-cake model". It combines socio- cultural values with vital natural parameters such as geology, physiography, climate, soils, hydrology, vegetation and wildlife, in comparative suitability equations to aid land-use planning.
The universal and timeless principles, as well as product samples they have generated, are convincingly and eloquently described in his classic work Design with Nature. This book deserves to be read and reread by all those responsible for making rational long-term land-use decisions for communities in any region.
How apt it is for Hong Kong at this time, as we ponder like never before how to develop and redevelop wisely the precious land resources still remaining: for housing, urgently; for all uses holistically.
Wong Chi-kui, Western district