Planning Department The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Agreement No.: PLNQ 44/2006 Public Engagement Programme for the Hung Hom District Study Final Report CC AA RR EE Centre of Architectural Research for Education, Elderly, Environment and Excellence Ltd. In collaboration with The Community Participation Unit, PlanArch Consultants Ltd. The Department of Architecture The Chinese University of Hong Kong March 2008 Public Engagement Programme for the Hung Hom District Study Final Report Table of Contents Page 1. Introduction 1 1.1 Study Background 1.2 Structure of the Public Engagement Programme 2. Stage 1 PEP 3 2.1 Summary of Stage 1 PEP Activities 2.2 Views and Opinions Received from the Public 3. Stage 2 PEP 6 3.1 Summary of Stage 2 PEP Activities 3.2 Summary of Public Comments Received 4. Conclusion 11 Public Engagement Programme for the Hung Hom District Study – Final Report 1 Introduction 1.1 Study Background The Planning Department commissioned a district review study for the Hung Hom waterfront area in December 2006. The overall objective was to formulate a comprehensive district plan to guide the planning and design of the Hung Hom harbour-front areas with a view to creating an attractive, accessible and vibrant waterfront for public enjoyment and integrating the new development areas with the adjoining waterfront districts and Hung Hom hinterland. To facilitate public participation throughout the process of the Hung Hom District Study (HHDS), the Planning Department appointed the Centre of Architectural Research for Education, Elderly, Environment and Excellence Limited, in association with the Community Participation Unit of Department of Architecture, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and PlanArch Consultants Limited (PEP consultant) to design, prepare and carry out a 2-stage Public Engagement Programme (PEP) to collect public views on the enhancement of the Hung Hom harbour-front areas. The PEP, carried out in conjunction with the Harbour-front Enhancement Committee (HEC), aimed at providing a platform for the stakeholders, local residents, members of the public and Government to exchange views on the enhancement of the Hung Hom harbour-front areas with a view to formulating a comprehensive district plan for the areas, which was built upon community consensus and could meet the various needs of the society. C A R E Centre of Architectural Research for Education, Elderly, Environment and Excellence Ltd. Page 1 Public Engagement Programme for the Hung Hom District Study – Final Report 1.2 Structure of the Public Engagement Programme The PEP for the HHDS comprised two stages, with Stage 1 carried out in February 2007 and Stage 2 carried out between August and October 2007. Stage 1 - Envisioning Stage The Stage 1 PEP involved gathering views from relevant stakeholders and the public mainly through a brainstorming session and a questionnaire survey as to their perception of the Study Area and visions on how the Hung Hom harbour-front area could be enhanced. These views then served as inputs for the HHDS consultant in formulating a draft District Plan for the Study Area. Stage 2 – District Plan Refinement Stage Upon formulation of the draft District Plan by the HHDS consultant, the Stage 2 PEP presented the Plan to the public with a view to gathering feedbacks on the proposals for further refinement. Major activities of the Stage 2 PEP included a roving exhibition, a public forum and briefings to various organisations and bodies. PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMME FOR THE HUNG HUNG HOM DISTRICT STUDY HOM DISTRICT Formulation of a Comprehensive Public Inception and Baseline Review Engagement Strategy (Provide baseline information to facilitate public comment) Undertaking of Stage 1 Public Engagement Activities District Plan Formulation (Feedback from public as inputs to the Study) (Draft District Plan) Undertaking of Stage 2 Public Engagement Activities (Feedback from public for refinement of the District Plan Finalization proposals) This above diagram shows the relationship between the PEP and the HHDS. C A R E Centre of Architectural Research for Education, Elderly, Environment and Excellence Ltd. Page 2 Public Engagement Programme for the Hung Hom District Study – Final Report 2 Stage 1 PEP 2.1 Summary of Stage 1 PEP Activities The Stage 1 PEP was carried out in February 2007. Under this stage, perception of the Hung Hom district and visions on how to enhance the area from relevant stakeholders and the public were collected through site visit, brainstorming session, questionnaire survey and briefings to district councils. These views served as valuable inputs for the HHDS consultant in formulating the draft District Plan for the Hung Hom District Study. 2.1.1 Site Visit and Brainstorming Session Site Visit and Brainstorming Session of the Stage 1 PEP were held on 3 February 2007. About 200 invitations were sent out to various stakeholders. The total number of participants for the site visit and brainstorming session were respectively 35 and 61, including representatives from - Kowloon City District Council and Yau Tsim Mong District Council - Government Bureaux / Departments - Public Utility Companies - Green Groups - Harbour Concern Groups - NGOs - Hung Hom Local Residents - Property Management Companies - Property Developers - Relevant Enterprises / Business Organizations - Academics - Media The programme started with a site familiarisation tour. Since there were different characteristics and issues pertinent to various parts of the Study Area, for the purpose of the site visit, the Study Area was divided into three sub-districts. Participants had a choice of visiting one of these sub-districts. The guided site visit aimed to let participants have a direct and “hands-on” connection to the area. Site visit handout outlining key issues and core elements of the Study Area to facilitate discussion was distributed. The strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and constraints were discussed. After the tour, the participants proceeded to the brainstorming session venue and were divided into five groups with other participants. After a presentation on the baseline review of the Study Area by the HHDS consultant, representatives of each site visit group were invited to share their initial views on the sub-districts they had visited. In the small group discussion session, handout was distributed to facilitate more in-depth discussion to further develop stakeholders’ vision for the Hung Hom harbour-front and formulate the planning and sustainability principles. Representatives of each group then presented their discussion results, with the aid of drawings, notes and sketch maps. C A R E Centre of Architectural Research for Education, Elderly, Environment and Excellence Ltd. Page 3 Public Engagement Programme for the Hung Hom District Study – Final Report Site Visit Brainstorming Session 2.1.2 Questionnaire Survey The questionnaire survey aimed to collect views of the wider public as to how they perceived the existing characteristics and what they considered as issues of Hung Hom and its adjoining Areas. It also examined the preferred future roles of the harbour-front. Principles for harbour-front planning and development in Hung Hom and adjoining areas were also covered in the questionnaire. Results of the survey provided quantitative data which supported findings from the brainstorming session and site visit. The design of the questionnaire had taken into account the Harbour Planning Principles and Sustainable Development Principles as indicators and could be quantified for further analysis and assessment where possible. The survey was conducted from 3-10 February 2007. A total of 346 numbers of the questionnaires were received, 333 of which were valid after discounting the incomplete questionnaires. They consisted of 40 collected at the brainstorming session, 204 from roadside interviews in Hung Hom District, 53 from business operators and 36 from mail/fax. 2.1.3 Public Briefings The Planning Department and consultants briefed the members of Kowloon City District Council and Yau Tsim Mong District Council on the Study and associated PEP on 18 January 2007 and 15 February 2007 respectively. The Planning Department and consultants also provided similar briefings to Members of the HEC Sub-committee on Harbour Plan Review on 31 January 2007. The purpose of these briefing sessions was to explain the background and content of the Study and to seek members’ concerns and views about the future Hung Hom harbour-front development. 2.1.4 Written Submission Two written submissions respectively from Hutchison Whampoa Property and Owners/Tenants/Residents in Whampoa Garden were received on 14 and 17 February 2007. C A R E Centre of Architectural Research for Education, Elderly, Environment and Excellence Ltd. Page 4 Public Engagement Programme for the Hung Hom District Study – Final Report 2.2 Views and Opinions Received from the Public The findings of Stage 1 PEP served as valuable inputs for the HHDS in formulating a draft District Plan for the Area. Views and opinions, as well as specific suggestions, were solicited from the stakeholders in the brainstorming session and district council meetings. Quantitative data were obtained from questionnaire survey which supported the findings. The results helped to prioritize the importance of various issues and to establish development strategy for the Study, though it should be recognized that it may not be possible to find solutions for every problem and issue identified