Community democracy: Land policy academic sets his sights on one of Hong Kong’s district council seats
With the Leung Chun-ying administration’s massive housing development plans having caused much controversy at the community level during the current district council term, November’s local polls may serve as a battleground for candidates to expound on their own thinking on neighbourhood planning.
One of those who is flagging city development in their electoral platform is housing and land policy academic Dr Edward Yiu Chung-yim, who is vowing to “leave his ivory tower and conduct a natural experiment” of democracy in urban planning. He is challenging incumbent Dr Chu Ching-hong, a four-term veteran who is now chairman of Southern District Council. Both are independents.
Yiu, 51, an associate professor at Chinese University’s Institute of Future Studies, is throwing his hat in the ring in Chi Fu constituency in Pok Fu Lam, where he has been living for 15 years. Often appearing in the media as a columnist and commentator on housing issues, he also serves on the board of governors of Friends of the Earth.
I do not underestimate the difficulties in encouraging residents to work together for a common goal to improve our community
Four years ago, he ran for election for the resident association in his housing estate, Chi Fu Fa Yuen, and became its secretary. As the convenor of its environmental committee, he has been working with residents and the estate’s management company to introduce green initiatives in the neighbourhood.
