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Hong Kong housing
OpinionComment
Bernard Chan
Bernard Chan

Opinion | Hong Kong’s solution to the housing problem must not sacrifice natural heritage

  • Should areas of outstanding natural beauty be destroyed when there are better solutions to our housing problem?
  • Given the government’s long-term housing strategy, using part of a golf course to build 12,000 flats seems to be a short-term move to deflect talk of elitism

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A man looks at models of Home Ownership Scheme buildings at the Housing Authority office in Kwun Tong on March 28. Photo: Sam Tsang
Bernard Chan
A shortage of affordable housing is becoming an increasingly common problem across the developed world. This is not unique to Hong Kong, but is a major cause of discontent among a large number of people.
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Home ownership plays a primary role in wealth creation and protection, but too many people are finding it a struggle to secure such a financial foothold. In Hong Kong, creative solutions are required to address key issues and tackle the complex process of land acquisition so that we can meet demand now, and in the future.

Eradication of the housing problem requires vision – an urbanisation programme that is fit for purpose, meets the needs of the population as a whole, and provides the infrastructure for us to compete with our neighbours in the Greater Bay Area and around the region. We need to embrace smart city planning and advanced construction technologies to accelerate the process of providing affordable housing.

A comprehensive solution will be a measure of our success as a progressive society and make Hong Kong an attractive place to live and work.

However, we also need to preserve our natural heritage for future generations. Access to the great outdoors and a myriad of healthy activities is important to the well-being of locals and visitors alike. Should areas of outstanding natural beauty be destroyed when there are better solutions to our housing problem?

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The Lantau Tomorrow Vision provides a long-term solution, centred around the creation of artificial islands at Kau Yi Chau and Hei Ling Chau. Targets include providing 260,000 to 400 000 housing units, 70 per cent of them public, over an area of around 1,700 hectares. A third core business district will also be created here, and Lantau’s leisure and entertainment options will be harnessed.
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