Sustainable Cities: Is Hong Kong on the Right Track?

1. Sustainable Cities: Is Hong Kong on the Right Track? Jimmy C.F. Leung Planning Department Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 24 November 2012

2. 1 To understandbasicphysical systems that affect everyday life Top 10 Reasons to Study Geography(Canadian Council for Geographic Education) 6 To learn the location of places and the physical and cultural characteristicsof those places in order to function more effectively in our increasingly interdependent world. 2 To understand the spatial organisationof society and see order in what often appears to be random scattering of people and places. 7 To recognise spatial distributions at allscales — local and worldwide — in order to understand the complex connectivity of people and places. 3 To understand the geography of past timesand how geography has played important roles in the evolutionof people, their ideas, places and environments. 8 To be able to make sensible judgmentsabout matters involving relationships between the physical environment and society. To develop a mental map of your community, province or territory, country and the world so that you can understand the“where” of places and events. 4 9 To appreciate Earth as the homeland of humankind and provide insight for wise management decisionsabout how the planet’s resources should be used. 5 10 To explain how the processes of human and physical systems have arranged and sometimes changed the surface of the Earth. To understand global interdependenceand to become a better global citizen.

3. 2012 In 2030, a child born this year will turn 18. Will we have done enough in the intervening years to give this child a sustainable future? 2030

4. Sustainable Development “ Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. ” Brundtland Commission of the United Nations, 1987

5. “ Sustainable development in Hong Kong balances social, economic, environmental and resource needs, both for present and future generations, simultaneously achieving a vibrant economy, social progress and high quality environment, locally, nationally and internationally, through the efforts of the community and the government. ” “Study on Sustainable Development for the 21st Century in Hong Kong” (SUSDEV 21) Planning Department, 1997

6. “ Sustainable development is not a destination, but a dynamic process of adaptation, learning and action. ” Report of the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on Global Sustainability

7. Some Facts and Figures about Cities (United Nations Rio+20) • The world’s cities occupy just 2% of the Earth’s land. • Half of humanity – 3.5 billion people – live in cities today. • By 2030, almost 60% of the world’s population will live in urban areas. • 95% of urban expansion in the next decades will take place in developing world. • Cities account for 60-80% of energy consumption and 75% of carbon emissions. • Rapid urbanisation is exerting pressure on fresh water supplies, sewage, the living environment, and public health. • But, the high density of cities can bring efficiency gains and technological innovation while reducing resource and energy consumption.

8. Some International Thinking • By 2030, cities have developed and are implementing action plans to address transport, public health and environmental needs in a harmonious and integrated way. • By 2030, from the local to national, government policies foster compact, mixed‐use, pedestrian‐oriented, urban development that minimises energy use and maximises residential health and that reflects the concept of a society for all ages. • All new buildings meet green building standards by 2030. • By 2030, city transport needs are or remain predominantly met by mass transport, walking and bicycling. • Quality of life is also improved for residents by 2030, providing access to green buildings with urban rooftop gardens, clean water, clean energy, waste management systems and sustainable transport. • By 2030, urban areas with significant storm water pollution issues reduce impervious surface area by 30% below 2012 levels. (UN Conference, Bonn, September 2011)

9. How is Hong Kong performing in terms of sustainability? 2010 Human Development Index (measuring wealth, health and education): HK ranks the 21st 4 United States 2010 Human Sustainability Development Index(also measuring per capita carbon emissions): HK ranks the 8th 24 United States

10. Is Hong Kong on the Right Track? Compact Urban Form Diversified lifestyles Dynamic Process of Addressing Challenges Congested living environment Efficiency and convenience Natural conservation and biodiversity Source: HKTB Poor air ventilation and urban heat island effect Traffic congestion

11. Integrated Land use-Transport-Environment Planning • Instrumental to promoting sustainable development in Hong Kong • Railway as the backbone of our public transport network • Complimentary land use and zoning regulations • Well-planned pedestrian walkway network • Environmental consideration

12. Integrated Land use-Transport-Environment Planning Social Interaction Social Inclusion Social SDG 10 targets Economic Environment Low Transport-related energy and carbon emissions Agglomeration Economies • To address transport, public health and environmental needs in a harmonious and integrated way. • To foster compact, mixed‐use, pedestrian‐oriented urban development. • Mass transport and walking.

13. Collaborative Government and Community Initiatives • Synergetic initiatives of both government and community • Sustainable Development Division • Council for Sustainable Development • Sustainable Development Fund • - Cultural Sustainable Project Through a Group of Cultural • Service-Learning Ambassadors (the Lingnan University) • Upcycling - Action for Kwun Tong Community (the Hong Kong Women Workers' Association) • - 3-Tree Sustainable Leadership Project (St. James' Settlement) • - Food Cherisher (Friends of the Earth (HK)) • - Create Life - Sustainable Lifestyle Initiatives (Community Art Network) • - Corporate Sustainability Reporting Platform in Hong Kong (the Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

14. Looking Forward: A Town Planning Perspective Tsing Ma Bridge Source: BrandHK Double Haven Marine Park Source: LandsD “ Town planning aims at providing a quality living environment, facilitating economic development, and promoting the health, safety, convenience and general welfare of the community by guiding and controlling development and the use of land. Following the principle of sustainable development, we seek to bring about an organised, efficient and desirable place for the community to live and work in. ” ” Mai Po Ramsar Site Source: LandsD Po Kong Village Road Park Shatin New Town

15. Guiding and Regulating Land Uses Limits Managing Scarcity Managing Changes Promoting Social Sustainability Government Planners • Smart use of resources • Innovative thinking • Urban resilience • Adaptation • Robust and flexible planning • Globalisation • Polarisation • Social Sustainability Savannah College of Art and Design Hong Kong Campus Jordan Valley Park

16. Sustainable Hong Kong Managing Changes Compact City Integrated Planning Approach Promoting Social Sustainability Managing Scarcity Collaborative Efforts

17. “My Future Hong Kong” Drawing Competition “ ” For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today. African proverb The Future is NOW

18. Thank you