The Limited Times

Now you can see non-English news...

Lantau Tomorrow | How to save the insecure city? Reflections on the development of East Lantau from climate change|01 Weekly

2021-02-22T08:55:27.830Z


In October 2018, Chief Executive Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor put forward the "Lantau Tomorrow Vision" in his "policy address", planning to reclaim the sea to the east of Kau Yi Chau and near Hei Ling Chau. The former will not have the first batch of residents until 2032, while the latter will take until 2


weekly

Written by: Shi Zhongjian

2021-02-22 16:45

The last update date: 2021-02-22 16:45

In October 2018, Chief Executive Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor put forward the "Lantau Tomorrow Vision" in his "policy address", planning to reclaim the sea to the east of Kau Yi Chau and near Hei Ling Chau.

The former will not receive the first batch of residents until 2032, while the latter will not start until 2034 or 2035. This definitely reflects the ancient motto that "far water cannot save near fire."

As a cornerstone of Lam Cheng's political platform since he took office, "Lantau Tomorrow" may reflect the government's determination to solve the land problem, but it is by no means a good way to solve the housing problem, nor has it reflected or responded to Hong Kong people's housing concerns.

Of course, we do not expect any single solution to solve Hong Kong’s complex housing problems.

This article will discuss the four major problems in the development of East Lantau one by one.

The housing issues that the society is most concerned about today are the long waiting time for public housing, the poor environment of cubicles and caged homes, and low-priced flats that are neither "fine-priced" nor can they meet demand.

Under these obstacles, ordinary young people are unable to buy homes and achieve higher social status.

In the next ten years, young people in Hong Kong are likely to have to pay taxes to the island while on the other side continue to live in poor living conditions such as subdivided houses. How can they have a good impression of the government or society?

(Profile picture / Photo by Luo Junhao)

The government has indeed started the preliminary study of "Lantau Tomorrow", but due to the delay before and after the study, the reclamation that will almost certainly be delayed, the time required to construct buildings, and the disputes and oppositions of various stakeholders, even if the government is I believe that it will take at least a few years to release about one-third of the land reclamation area and allow young people to successfully go upstairs.

In the next ten years, these young people are likely to have to pay taxes to the island while on the other side continue to live in poor living conditions such as subdivided houses. How can they have a good impression of the government or society?

The private sector often complains that the government and real estate developers or large consortia are carrying out interest transfer, which leads to the monopoly of land supply and the "deep water" for profit.

It is true that in any mature economy, the relationship between politics and business should never become a fire and water, and should even be mutually beneficial.

However, mutual benefit also has its limitations.

After the completion of the East Lantau artificial island, who will give priority to the development of the land and who will take over the surrounding infrastructure projects? These are all important issues in the distribution of benefits.

If the government cannot respond frankly to the public’s questions, no amount of explanation will only make Hong Kong’s land development even more miserable, and it will also make a new metropolis originally set up for all Hong Kong people to be "new" by individual political powers and economic dignitaries. The "Hong Kong" imagination has replaced it and added an additional "fuse" between the central government and the people of Hong Kong. In the long run, it will be difficult for society to settle down and public grievances cannot be quelled.

"Lantau Tomorrow's Good Scenery" may reflect the government's determination to solve the land problem, but it is by no means the best solution to the housing problem in Hong Kong.

(Information Picture/Photographed by Lu Yiming)

Can artificial islands withstand sea level rise?

Climate change is a global issue, and it is also an issue that both rich and poor need to pay attention to.

The East Lantau Metropolis may be able to provide housing for Hong Kong people in 2035, but the damage to the environment caused by reclamation projects is irreversible and cannot be ignored.

Countries around the world are striving to "reduce carbon" while enhancing the climate resilience of cities and formulating climate adaptation plans for coastal metropolitan areas and islands: for example, the low-lying Netherlands has invested heavily in building breakwaters, and Indonesia is also considering moving its capital.

In September last year, President Xi Jinping announced at the United Nations General Assembly that China’s carbon dioxide emissions will peak in 2030 and will continue to "reduce emissions" for 30 years, striving to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2060.

Based on this consideration, the State Council will carry out thorough reforms in policy areas such as energy, transportation, industry, and construction, and strive to make China contribute to the global "community with a shared future for mankind" and save the tide of global warming.

Of course, the Hong Kong government has also followed the pace and announced in its "Policy Address" issued at the end of last year that Hong Kong will achieve the goal of "carbon neutrality" by 2050.

It can be seen that under the invisible pressure of the central government, the Hong Kong government has to show its determination and will to deal with climate change.

It is a pity that the Hong Kong government’s mid- and long-term policy does not seem to reflect climate change in its own policies.

For detailed analysis, please read the full text of the "Hong Kong 01" weekly electronic journal.

The above is excerpted from the 253th issue of "Hong Kong 01" Weekly Report (February 22, 2021) "How to Save the Injured City?"

Reflecting on "Lantau Tomorrow" from climate change.

If you want to read the full text, please

click here to

sample the weekly newsletter and browse more in-depth reports.

Selected content of 253 issue of "Hong Kong 01" Weekly News:

[Cover story] What kind of financial secretary does Hong Kong need?

Luo Huining's New Year's speech "changed and unchanged" has the profound meaning, how much do Hong Kong people understand?

The Significant Significance of the Case of Li Zhiying’s Bail Rejection by the Court of Final Appeal for the Guoan Suspect

Entering a society with low "meat" expectations

A beacon of life at a loss?

Silicon Valley elites are obsessed with ancient Greek Stoic philosophy

Retired teachers carefully create a paradise for Langmao

Tomorrow Lantau Land Supply Land Issue Housing Policy Long Term Housing Supply Property Price 01 Weekly Public Housing Public Housing Policy Public Housing Waiting for HOS

Source: hk1

All news articles on 2021-02-22

You may like

News/Politics 2024-03-10T10:08:43.702Z

Trends 24h

Latest

© Communities 2019 - Privacy

The information on this site is from external sources that are not under our control.
The inclusion of any links does not necessarily imply a recommendation or endorse the views expressed within them.