The Green Lungs of Hong Kong- City SpeakBimalka, January 2009
There was a public discussion on “Green Lungs of Hong Kong” co-presented by “Designing Hong Kong” at Fringe Theatre in Central on Saturday 17th January from 9.30am and my self and Linh joined for the discussion.
Hong Kong has an abundance of country parks, islands and beaches, but they are not easily accessible to the community. It was discussed whether Hong Kong should make them more attractive by adding more facilities so that more visitors can enjoy or should restrict them for people’s access to them in order to protect nature. It was also discussed whether Hong Kong should create a park of similar stature and size like in New York- Central Park; London- Hyde Park. It was also highlighted whether Hong Kong park and Kowloon Park fulfill that role. Hong Kong is a very hilly territory and has clamed land from sea. Some areas of Hong Kong are among the most densely populated in the world.
Hong Kong has an abundance of country parks, islands and beaches, but they are not easily accessible to the community. It was discussed whether Hong Kong should make them more attractive by adding more facilities so that more visitors can enjoy or should restrict them for people’s access to them in order to protect nature. It was also discussed whether Hong Kong should create a park of similar stature and size like in New York- Central Park; London- Hyde Park. It was also highlighted whether Hong Kong park and Kowloon Park fulfill that role. Hong Kong is a very hilly territory and has clamed land from sea. Some areas of Hong Kong are among the most densely populated in the world.
Paul Zimmerman, Designing Hong Kong carried out a presentation on urban parks and government approach in this regards. Markus Shaw, WWF spoke more positively on country parks and said that younger generation in Hong Kong should get exposed to real nature in the country parks, not artificial urban parks. In contrast to this view some stressed that need of more green areas to city limits and difficulty of finding land areas for such urban park is a grate challenge. Audience discussed plus and minuses of development of more urban parks. I also gave my comments on need of more urban parks for Hong Kong as an outsider. Mike Kilburm from Kadori Farm gave an excellent presentation on Maintaining Ecological connectivity between protected areas in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Marissa Yiu, University of Hong Kong share here experience on research work on how Hong Kong urban flats could grow green plans in limited space.
It was also suggested introduction of electric tram to the country parks for easy accessibility and extends of the escalator to country parks for more children and old community to enjoy these areas. It was also pointed out the importance of conservation and difficulties arise when more people have accessibility. It was also stressed that when more and more people can visit it should be done in such a way that combined with community participatory activities (eg: in long valley activities carried out by Conservancy Association) to minimize the damage.
This was a quite nice discussion and learnt a lot about country parks and ecological conservation in Hong Kong. It gave me better understand about Hong Kong community by listen to local people.
It was also suggested introduction of electric tram to the country parks for easy accessibility and extends of the escalator to country parks for more children and old community to enjoy these areas. It was also pointed out the importance of conservation and difficulties arise when more people have accessibility. It was also stressed that when more and more people can visit it should be done in such a way that combined with community participatory activities (eg: in long valley activities carried out by Conservancy Association) to minimize the damage.
This was a quite nice discussion and learnt a lot about country parks and ecological conservation in Hong Kong. It gave me better understand about Hong Kong community by listen to local people.
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