The public will have the chance to share ideas with policymakers on urban design for Hong Kong's future in a pilot area forum on "Urban Living Space" this Saturday, the Council for Sustainable Development says.

The forum is part of a six-month "public engagement" process aimed at developing recommendations for a sustainability strategy for Hong Kong.

Discussion among the audience, specialists and officials will be incorporated into a report with recommendations for a sustainable development strategy for Hong Kong in the three areas, to be presented to the Chief Executive next January.

Sustainable development, an official government policy since 1999, argues that policymakers must adopt an integrated view of key community concerns to continually refresh its vitality and build on Hong Kong's human capital, robust legal and market systems, and natural beauty.

"Urban Living Space" is one of three areas addressed in this year's public engagement exercise, expected to be the first in an annual review of Hong Kong's sustainability. The other areas are "Solid Waste Management" and "Renewable Energy".

Sustainability comes alive at neighborhood level

Convenor of the council's Support Group on "Urban Living Space" and Director of Hong Kong University's Centre of Urban Planning & Environmental Management Professor Peter Hills said sustainability comes alive at the neighborhood level.

Comprising a dozen experts from government, community services, and the business sector, the support group has been working since February to develop a framework for viewing Hong Kong's fundamental planning issues. Their report, included in the council's publication "Making Choices for Our Future", is available here.

Topics to be discussed at the forum include:

*Current balance of residential and commercial development in the New Territories and urban areas and options for further development;

*Urban renewal models and options for encouraging revitalisation and renovation of old neighbourhoods;

*Examples of sustainable urban design and possible ways of encouraging more planning and construction of more sustainable architecture and urban spaces; and

*Possible institutional arrangements for integrated sustainable planning.

The forum, conducted in Cantonese and English, will be held from 9.30am to 12.30pm at the Sports House, 1 Stadium Path, So Kong Po, Happy Valley. For other details of the forum, click here.

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