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Most Hong Kong people support development of northeast New Territories, a plan aimed at relieving the strain on housing, according to results of a survey released on Monday, in spite of the waves of critics from the public earlier on.
About 72 percent of survey respondents confirm the shortage of housing and land in Hong Kong and 92 percent agree to speed up reconstruction of old areas to solve housing problem.
Also 82 percent consent to exploit North East New Territories New Development Area, holding the view that it can reinforce supply of lands or housing. Meanwhile, they say that the government should reserve historical and cultural sites, protect eco-environment, provide reasonable compensations and settlements, maintain local residents’ lifestyles and so on.
Additionally, Hong Kong citizens generally accept the way of increasing compensations for repossession and they attach importance to community environment.
Conducted by the Institution of Asia-Pacific Studies at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), the survey received 1,001 respondents from different areas in the city during March 25 to April 3. It aims to obtain comprehensive understanding from Hong Kong people on the issue of housing and land development and guide the government to make proper land planning.
The planning of North East New Territories New Development Area is still under the public consultation process. It stirred a controversy in Sept. 2012 when local residents and some environmental organizations protested and refused the government to demolish their homes for economic and commercial interests.
When asked about the differences between the survey’s results and protestors’ reactions, Ng Sai Leung, associate professor of the Department of Geography and Resource Management at CUHK, said the survey reflected a general picture of the Hong Kong people, not just residents in the area. “Local residents voice out, because the plan violates their interests. The government should have more negotiations with them, he added.
Joanna Lee, professional consultant of Department of Geography and Resource Management at CUHK, said although over 80 percent people supported development of northeast New Territories, the government should consider the demands of the residents and how to properly exploit that area.
Ng Kai Hon, assistant professor of Department of Government and Public Administration at CUHK, said that it’s necessary to consider overall interests of the Hong Kong people and the government should make a balance between the majority and the minority.
