Opinion | Hong Kong needs urban green lungs to be a more liveable city
- Hong Kong has world-class country parks and hiking trails but nothing in the city that offers a true escape, like New York’s Central Park or Hyde Park in London, and proposals to build a dedicated cycle path have been to no avail. This must change
Why this is so depends on who you talk to. Some speak of Hong Kong’s favourable business environment, unique geographical advantages or low taxes. Others commend its efficiency, high energy or simply the good vibes. However, we rarely hear praise for Hong Kong’s living environment.
Yet, this is one of the most critical factors in defining quality of life, and measurable by “hardware” such as homes, public spaces, transport and infrastructure, and by “software” such as social services, reliable utilities, entertainment, clean water and food. While such “software” is generally readily available, there is room for improvement in the hardware.
In terms of public space, green areas are key to providing a healthy environment. With more than 7,000 people per square kilometre, Hong Kong has a higher population density than most other economies in the world.
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Tiny 290sq ft temporary housing a welcome upgrade for some low-income Hong Kong families