The SAR government is currently undertaking a two-year public consultation on a development strategy for Hong Kong.  Entitled “Hong Kong 2030:Planning Vision and Strategy” (hereafter “Hong Kong 2030”), the consultation paper aims to create a framework of reference for Hong Kong’s physical development over the next 30 years, and to act as a roadmap for determining future plans for Hong Kong’s land use, transport provisions and environment.

          “HK 2030” is a massive and important project for planning development.  The results may have a highly significant impact on HK’s strategy for territorial development.  It is therefore crucial to motivate the public, in particular the younger generation, to voice their concerns through pubic consultation.

          If young people can voice their opinions via public consultation, town plans can be formulated with their needs taken into consideration.  Besides, as different views and arguments are put up, the public will also know about the price to pay for development.  This contributes to a mutual understanding within society to achieve a common goal.

         As the study covers a broad range of issues, the focus will be on 3 major areas: (1) The opinions of young people regarding the priority of issues to be considered while planing to make Hong Kong an ideal city in which to live.  (2) To ascertain values held by young people in relation to “environmental protection” and “economic development”.  (3) The willingness of young people to participate in territorial planning.

        To clarify aspects of this project for the purpose of gathering relevant information, researchers interviewed experts from various disciplines to formulate an outline for the study, and to design a questionnaire for a territory-wide youth poll.  The interviews were conducted in July and August 2001. Twenty experts and scholars were successfully interviewed.

       A territory-wide youth poll was conducted between 27 and 30 August 2001.  Five hundred and thirty-one youths aged between 15 and 27 were randomly selected and interviewed via telephone; the success rate being 56%.

        Group interview sessions were conducted between 7 and 11 August 2001.  The respondents were aged between 15 and 27 with a range of education levels from F.3 to University and comprised students and young people in the work force.  Thirty-seven respondents (17 males and 20 females) took part in four interview sessions.

       The major findings are as follows:

 (1)               Many respondents were prepared to take root in Hong Kong.  They thought that if Hong Kong was to become an ideal city for living, improvement in the environment should come first.  On the other hand, respondents showed significant concern for “high unemployment rate” and “the gap between rich and poor”.

(2)       The respondents cared for both economic growth and environmental protection.  It shows that the idea of sustainable development in both the economy and the environment was taking root in their mind.  On the other hand, most respondents were prepared to regulate their daily life for the sake of protecting our environment. 

 (3)               Respondents differed in their opinions on maintaining traditional constructions. Experts’ criticisms were leveled at the lack of available opportunities to be familiar with historical relics and sites and to know more of the history of the Mainland and Hong Kong. They warned that the sense of heritage should be the very foundation for the pondering of Hong Kong’s future development.

 (4)               Although most of the respondents had not heard of the consultation on “Hong Kong 2030”, they showed their concern toward the future development of Hong Kong, and were interested in joining the discussion.  However, they also worried that the topic was a profound one and could be difficult for them to participate.  Experts pointed out that consultation made easy could encourage participation.

 (5)               Experts interviewed in general agreed that teachers, youth workers and town planners should join hands in enhancing young people’s understanding of city planning. Sending professionals to visit schools and hold workshops, arranging more visits to environmental protection regions and historical sites, were examples of effective ways to encourage youth participation in town planning.

           In view of the above discussions, the Federation recommends that:       

(1)               The government consults the public on the territorial planning “Hong Kong 2030”.  Such consultation is important and necessary.  The act not only encourages participation from young people, but also enhances their involvement in future planning for Hong Kong and a sense of belonging.

 (2)               The government can make use of some easy and lively approaches to introduce such consultation.  By doing so they can have a wider collection of opinions from the younger generation, taking the chance to achieve mutual understanding in the society.

 (3)               The study reveals that respondents demand an improvement in the environment.  At the same time, they are willing to change their way of life for a better living environment.  It implies that the government’s environmental work will receive certain support from the young ones.  The government can consider taking more actions to fulfill their expectation of a well-protected environment.

 (4)               It should work together to enable the youth to see and feel more of the tradition and culture, through different activities in and out of schools.

 (5)               It should encourage youth workers to provide more channels, and in more levels, for the youth to encounter with relics, nature, and our culture.  This can trigger their interest in pondering territorial planning issues, and to accumulate knowledge in related area, thus paving the way to long-term participation in planning for Hong Kong’s future.

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