Lily Y.M. YAM – “People First, District-based, Public Participatory” Approach for Urban Renewal 1 governmental Planning Department,

ory” Approach for Urban Urban for Approach ory”

1

. charge of established established of non- charge

- in ict of Forum ict Renewal Urban the a term of three years, DURF is chaired by an

e- Renewal Urban District City

Forum based, Public Participatory” approach for urban for approach based, Public Participatory” - the

Lily Y.M. YAM Lily Y.M. section of the local community, including District Council including District Council local the of community, section

-

-based, Public Participat based urban renewal initiatives from a holistic and comprehensive years of review, the new Urbanyears Renewal of review, Strategy (URS) was -

Practical Case of of Case Practical –a based, Public Participatory” approach at the early planning stage of urban renewal renewal planning stage urban at of approach early the Public Participatory” based, District Urban Renewal Forum Renewal Renewal “People First, District Ms. Lily Y.M. YAM is the Planner/Chief Town YAM Distr Ms. Lily Y.M. the SpecialAdministrative Region Government

1 perspective, including targets, including advice on regeneration preservation perspective, and areas, redevelopment models 2011). (Urban implementation Renewaland Strategy, Abstract After more than two in Februarypromulgated 2011. of One the in key the promoted principles new URS is the District First, “People the adoption of renewal. Renewal Forum Kowloon (DURF) up in set JuneThe District Urban was City into practice. this approach to put pioneer a as 2011 author the to DURF, Secretary the As towishes share with in plannin the practitioners andg relevant fields the pioneering experience of DURF and its work. 1. in public participation more and for aspirations call the community the changing of the With the new URS calls for active promotion of future the ofshaping “People the First, our city, - District embraces newand the initiative setting of up a in old urbanDURF districts to strengthen renewal planning urban at district the level. an As platform, advisory DURF will advise the on district Government which a contains large pilot first in City, Kowloon The DURF was up set in June 2011 redevelopment of projects few a only but involving buildings dilapidated and aged of number Urban Renewal the Authority (URA). With experienced engineer familiar with urban renewal issues. membersIts comprise representatives from a wide cross centr members, Committee Area members, disciplines, relevant district, and the the professionals from serving organisations/groups

Lily Y.M. YAM – “People First, District-based, Public Participatory” Approach for Urban Renewal 3 based, - -building -building ial impact impact ial ommunity ommunity will alsoensure that

initiatives contributing to a quality city city to quality a contributing initiatives based Urban Renewal Plan for has been a -

-based Urban Renewal Plan for Kowloon City Kowloon City -based Urban for Renewal Plan DURF website). ty as the key player in formulating an Urban Renewal Plan for Kowloon City. as key the ty player in formulating Urban Renewal Planan for City. Kowloon In Community environment ( environment District First, “People the in putting pilot platform a and advisory independent an As for blueprint consideration a for is taskedDURF to putGovernment’s essence, forward In includes for and suitable which redevelopment areas in Kowloon renewal City, urban and plus preservation rehabilitation, revitalisation of the into acknowledges practice, importance approach DURF Public Participatory” communi engaging theextensively has community which knowledge best the of aspirations and for ofc the local priorities and the aspirations reflect to clearly has DURF district, their to so put as views, professional the consolidate and renewal to urban on issues related forward to the Government an Urban Renewal Plan that can encompass local characteristics and reflects local aspirations and community interests at large. DURF work,their including the formulation plan process, is open transparent and to public. the In all DURF public open are meetings for this observation. regard, 2. of formulation The a community great challenge to DURF. On the technical aspect, it is necessary to commission consultants Urban the Plan with planning to formulate toRenewal a assist DURF study to undertake proposals.able implement it is also the for community, formulated it toAs plan be is a community the consensus with to promoting view engage important a to extensively process. formulation in plan the possible the important is to soc identify equally It be that may tocaused the in community early plan the stage, to formulation propose and as measures mitigation key suitable a component Urban Renewal the of Plan. a Hence, social a and public engagement (SIA), which assessment impact are the study, planning have in City, Kowloon renewal blueprint urban a for for components formulating integral been theconducted at same time, and all three tasks will provide interact and input to one another.

Lily Y.M. YAM – “People First, District-based, Public Participatory” Approach for Urban Renewal 5

6 Planning & Development

2 majornotifications to stakeholders Thai ethnic minorities the urban and renewal the engagement proposals activities servicegroups in the district to enlist their assistance in disseminating information relating to engagementandgiven leaflet,have NGOs briefings and digest local special been to soc publicity as poster, measures such newspaper and radio advertisement,banner, public affectedgroups the in communitypublic engagement, during the from apart the normal order reach these to groups to among out vulnerable and disadvantaged Hongyears Kong7 for lessthan are and ethnic minorities In City, Kowloon s the proportion follows: as are PE of stages Activities carried2 the during out their views on possible the social mitigation measures. 2010. in St PURP was formulated the on basisofgathered as local views fromDistrict the Aspiratio gauging their viewsthe on possible social impacts arising from the PURP.In fact, the affected and potential identifying the PURP; and stakeholders priorityon public views and Stage at aims ascertaining 1PE residents of Kowloon CityDistrict and the general public. proposals, renewal urban the by affected stakeholders the at targeted are PE of stages Both URP. formulating the for publicengagement (PE) stages of As are mentionedthere two above, P 2.2

responses Face Roving and Exhibitions Mobile and other bodies 7 Forums Public 2 3 9 FocusDiscussions Group schools,youth associations, NGOs and local professional etc. bodies concerned groups, residents’ organisations, local conservation and art groups, business/trade associations, Ma udy on Urban Renewal for Kowloon City completed by the Council District Kowloon City bythe completed Kowloon City for Renewal udyUrban on jor s jor apart from sending apart sending from PE, Stage 1 the in gained With experience prepared. been also have Briefin Walking ToursWorkshops cum - ublic Engagement to takeholders owners’ include owners’ incorporations, mutual committees, aid committees, relevant - Face Questionnaire Survey ( Survey Questionnaire Face Stage 2 PE aims at gauging public feedback on the proposals of the Stagegauging DURPfeedback proposals The at aims onthe PE public 2 and ) ) esost tttr,avsr g statutory, to Sessions advisory , in particular, publicity leaflets in their StagePE 1

of the elderly (agedand arrivals above), new 65residing in 2

in thein district, Hongkong Circular Post Service 1,222 Roving and Exhibitions Mobile and other bodies 6 Briefing statutory, to Sessions advisory Forum1 Public workshops) Topical the form of (in Discussions 5 FocusDiscussions Group 4

languages e.g. Urdu otecnendgop. For the theto concerned groups. . In. average territorial the above StagePE 2 st

, Punjabi Punjabi , the potential

and and has has ial ial ns ns Lily Y.M. YAM – “People First, District-based, Public Participatory” Approach for Urban Renewal 7

same

, which , which arbourfront arbourfront in areas that

ct. the In case of the URP at an early plan inception stage /business operators projects, it should be noted that the that the noted projects, be it should objective of the SIA is to identify and objective of the SIA

to solicit detailed local views on specific specific on views local detailed solicit to

that residents that in Stage 2 engagementinStage activities such as focus

ensure

committee of the Land and Building Advisory Committee, Committee, Advisory of and Building the Land committee face questionnaire survey questionnaire survey face conducted 1 PE the during Stage - to face- act Assessment out workshops, aim at conducting more focused discussions more out on specific workshops, conducting aim at -

be affected by the urban renewal proposals will be notified of the latest development of development proposals latest urban the by the renewal of notified will be be affected been employed in 2 the PE Stage to

project. project. will be conducted only urban projects For undertakenrenewal by URA, SIA an assess the social impacts of the urban renewal proposals as proposed renewal as impacts in PS proposals the social urban to the the and assess of was mainly directed to residents in Kowloon City, and the and public,general provides also mainly directedwas to in Kowloonresidents City, the of acceptability analysis quantitative proposals. the of general 1018 total, there were In from Kowloon the responses residents 204 City and the responses from public. general Last advisory and bodiesother such but in not least, givingbriefing sessions to various statutory, District Council, Kowloon the H City the Planning Board, Town the as Commission, Sub- Planning the proposals on the DURF to solicit is professional etc., able institutes views NGOs and relevant broader much perspective. a andfrom professional 2.3 Social Imp has commenced SIA the however, by DURF, formulated to be proposals,urban continues renewal any and DURF finalises recommends and before i.e. the planthroughout formulation process. The overall after URA has decided has on a announced and redevelopment proje URA after is normally conducted after decisiona been has made Hong on In SIA specificKong, a plan or urban renewal proposals formulated for specific areas. On the other hand, the topical topical other the the On hand, specific areas. for proposals renewal formulated urban academics in the and and residents, local professionals at targeted discussions, are which form of break structured more soliciting to view a with areas, geographical specific within issues/proposals consolidatedand views and reaching consensuscertain on or of acceptability general specific The proposals. ethnicity or through their religious leaders. leaders. their through or religious ethnicity but views will their give male the only Besides, usually very busy working it find are and they to spare time for engagement hard the activities. from PE not of are too different two stages the for activities of conducted While type the other infrastructure planning and for conducted those focus group discussions were targeted at affected residents of specific geographical areas/neighbourhoods. is able DURF such, As may the URP thoughts.and views their to activities express engagement in participate the and There is indeed increased participation public discussions workshops.group and out in to reaching the there is still difficulty However, more minority whoethnic groups willing to are communicate their people through from also

Lily Y.M. YAM – “People First, District-based, Public Participatory” Approach for Urban Renewal 11 in storey - (over 200(over residential

4

ethnic minority and ethnic minority

and5 Streets

3

noise and air nuisances to residents in in to residents nuisances air and noise

, will be adversely affected. While the vehicle , the SIA consultants at their early assessment stage stage assessment early their at consultants the, SIA

in other parts of the urban area. area. urban the of parts in other conducted focus Having group these groups and stakeholders. other these groups finalise will The consultants established service industry in serving not customers serving only Wan Kwa industry in To service established comments received during the Stage 2 PE to update findings of the Stage 1 SIA. 1 SIA. Stage the of findings update 2 PE to Stage the during received comments

A mitigation measures to ameliorate the ameliorate to measures to mitigation proposing suitable view on them, with a and affecting smooth on pedestrian movement and affecting vehicular streetsand pavements, and rhoods, it has been identified at the early planning and SIA stage that upon possible stage possible that upon SIA early and planning the at identified it been rhoods, has hops in total), which are usually small businesses and amount to about 51% of all all of 51% about to amount small and businesses usually are hops inwhich total), top residents have been identified in the Stage 1 SIA. 1 SIA. in Stage top the identified residents have been discussions Focus group have 5 Streets is a general term describing a neighbourhood in To Kwa Wan bounded by 5 streets, namely Ming Ming namely 5 streets, by bounded Wan Kwa To in neighbourhood a describing term general a is 5 Streets 13 Streets is a general term describing a neighbourhood in To Kwa Wan bounded by 13 streets, namely Ma namely 13 streets, by bounded Wan Kwa To in a neighbourhood describing term general a is 13 Streets Lun St, Chung Sun St, Hing Yin St, Hing Yan St and and Rd. St Tau Ma Lun ChungSt, Yan HingSt, Sun HingYin St, Tau Kok Rd, MokTau Cheong Luk St, Pang Lung St, St, to Ming Fung St, Lun St, Yi Cheung Yeung Ying St, Fat andSt, OnTsun Shim HokSt, Ching St, Yin Ling St,Luen HungWan St. St,

4 3

consultants the in progress, will 2 assessment make is currently which Stage the During reference to that may be caused. example, 13 Streets in the be For caused. that may neighbou of livelihood operators the of employees and 5 Streets, and of 13 the redevelopment Streets operating in repairing workshops these two neighbourhoods currently vehicle works shops in the floor ground neighbourhoods generating use incompatible operationis an repairing areas in industrial in building repairing Kwai Chungvehicle to cater for the need of the operators. affected potentially no strong concerned have operators the from views Sofar, the have to be received proposal, which to with the of details further regard been yet developed. 2 SI Stage lessees, including owners, groups potential affected above, mentioned As roof- been subsequently held specific inwith detail these togroups study impact the the of DURP proposals on impact social possible details of the mitigation measures as part of the whole package of the URP.

the areas - well a it is but also those City Kowloon be should there their noted business and wish to continue discussions operators with these in neighbourhoods the redevelopment these for sites relocation suitable PS the advised consultantsing find have importance of the location based and on their requirements. operational operators view this, of PS the In multi a of development the proposed have DURP, the consultants, in formulating

12 Planning & Development

engagement activity. Apart from the roving exhibitions, mobile exhibitions the in formexhibitions, of from Apart the roving engagementactivity. attending community, D the including such explain to every opportunity use work,of makes its DURF ofand DURF understand function In the public letthe orderto programme. implementation anybuildings without sincere undertake to a with intention concrete renewal urban enga of the URA and the publicengagementof DURF functionas wasanother considered endless misunderstood was DURF DURF’stowards work. early the At 3.2 revision boundary in etc. of areas redevelopment/rehabilitation suitable for of the proposed ‘ These the deletion include been publicviews. after deleted revised takingaccountof the or and engagement of public extensive twostages of the forums group the discussions/workshops/public focus by local people the They gather also City district. Kowloon of the parts older and the in issues problems existing and people, ofconditions local understand to members and theliving conductedquitea visits building site number of reference the to groundwork prepared by and the Secretariat the various consultants,DURF the talkto people. and eyes your with see the community, go ofto the theis The problem district and into best way issues understand to 3.1 fields. areI which some observations practitioners sharewith to wish the in planning and relevant finalisation of the detailed urban renewal and the social proposals mitigation planning study, impact engagement, assessment, and to social public earl the mode to strengthen renewal urban planning at district the level has Government to submission establish been has DURF Observations 3. gement exercise which would only prolong the suffer of people living in dilapidated the suffer dilapidated in prolong wouldonly living ofgementwhich people exercise To explain in reaching mutual understanding To listenand talk see,

y inception stage of planning for DURF’sofy planningfor stage inception work , district council meetings

stageformation of of DURF, the was there misunderstanding amongst the public

listen food streets , talked to the stakeholdersand District Council members, ed

ed for two years now. While the URP While yet to has yearsed twonow. for to the to ; ;

and a review of the effectiveness of DURF as a pilot operation effectiveness operation areview ofand pilot the aas DURF of istrict ’ ed ir at Pak Tai Pak at Street/Tam Tai Road/Man Kung the and Street views.

information from the locals by studyingsubmissions made Council Council and stating clearlyDURF’s role at every single Some proposals Some of the PURP have subsequently members Throughout

as a Government organisation or as part

and concerned locals. This includesThis concernedand locals. the actual undertaking of the various theactual various of the undertaking apart from making making from apart work, their

yet to be conducted, from yetbe conducted, to

the current stage of the of currentthe stage the to stakeholders in the stakeholdersto in measures, there there measures, be finali be

participated in public public s ed for for ed Lily Y.M. YAM – “People First, District-based, Public Participatory” Approach for Urban Renewal 13 s s ’ ’ by

People First, “ With DURF’s DURF’s With ir acceptability acceptability ir the

be implemented as ing uring theuring 2 stages of s s submission to the ’ will etc. d t the early identification of of identification early t the

n implementation agency as agency implementation n URP for DURF Ma Tau Kok Nga Road, such as Ma Tau Tsin

aspirations and community interests at large at interests community and aspirations

are now more receptive to DURF’s role as an advisory advisory an as role toDURF’s receptive more now are

approach for urban renewal. renewal. for urban approach solid of After two years ” ” However, there is a need for DURF to public the for DURF there need ismanage a However, latter

to the URP, the better chance that the to theURP,

and reflects local large.

up approach has yet to be to be on the has much willassessed,up approach which depend very yet - Pak Tai Street, Lok Shan Street, Road Lok and Street Whampoa Pak Tai based, Public Participatorybased, s experience in formulating the URP so far has proved tha proved so far has URP in the formulating s experience s acceptability of the Urban Renewal Government of of extent Urban the the Plans and acceptability ’ Road, mobile van stationing in areas in pedestrian stationing mobilewithvan high flow areas Long work. and its of DURF permeability and the visibility increase also PE gradually stakeholders amongst the misunderstanding skepticism and work, hard persistent intoturn mutual understanding. Although DURF is still not a stakeholders, the the by aspired more to put eager views City their Kowloon are forth and for to prepare an help URP body understand that the they as refining proposals and the suggestions in revising concrete and render support they more DURF iswork, togoing submit Urban Renewal Plan the for City Kowloon to Government by 2013. of end the plan a to pilot truly deliver meet the of DURF that can The effectiveness the needs of the locals

it is a ‘People’s Plan’ that encompassesit Plan’ isa ‘People’s local characteristics and reflectslocal aspirations and at interests community to implementation plan. future the expectation with the of regard 3.3 plan early at formulation stage identify social impact To DURF in useful is proposals planning by preliminary be caused that may impact social possible mitigated have that elements incorporating DURP a prepare to the PS consultants facilitating measures. mitigation suitable propose ltants to consu SIA the and impact possiblethe social single package, a views forming proposals measures mitigation from and planning the With stakeholders andthe the again 2 were public sought PE Stage on the during the measures. mitigation and proposals the of received positive rather response Theoverall towith the regard direction general and approach the of is proposals indeed very useful in se their finali to proposals the consultants facilitating Government. 4. Conclusion first the and Renewal Strategy the Urban under creation new DURF new is a City Kowloon pilot DURF. all in experimental and are reali setup modus operandi Its - District adopting the bottom the adopting public’ DURF the that believed it is theimplementation of twithstanding, No proposals.

14 Planning & Development

WebsiteDURF UrbanKowloon City, for Plan Renewal Stage Engagement Digest, 2Public April 2013 UrbanKowloon City, for Plan Renewal Stage Engagement Digest, 1Public 2012 August Strategy, 2011 Renewal February Urban References respects. different the community for approach in of the planning alternative light on experiencecan some shed

(http://www.durf.org.hk)