Letters | How Hong Kong’s streets can be harmoniously brought back to life
- Up until the 1970s, street performers were integral to our community and social life
- With the government, private sector and artistic community working together, busking can be managed to create enjoyable public spaces for Hongkongers
Street performers can be pivotal in enhancing the cultural life of public space. But current regulations are outdated, focusing on hygiene, nuisance and obstruction, and are ill-equipped to cope with the informal and spontaneous nature of contemporary street performance.
There is no clearly accountable body, and responsibilities are scattered across government bureaus and departments.
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The last performance: Mong Kok pedestrian zone closes after 18 years
Our public policy think tank recently examined how buskers could be successfully reintegrated into our streets in a detailed policy study for release in April. The research team assessed international practices, Hong Kong’s local context, and engaged more than 25 stakeholders, including the government, businesses, resident groups, district councillors and street performers, to develop policy options.