Urban Greening

The Administration announced in the 2000 Policy Address to push ahead with the greening works, especially the planting of more trees and flowers in the urban area (para 14). Green Master Plans (GMP) for Central and Tsim Sha Tsui were not developed until latter half of 2005, and the works substantially completed in March 2007, according to an official press release dated 26 July 2007.

The short term GMPs for Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei, Shueng Wan, Wan Chai and Cuaseway Bay will be completed in 2010. The Administration is now developing GMPs for the rest of urban areas as well as town centres in the New Territories. Community forums will be organized to collect the views of the public on greening.

The Conservancy Association has been concerning about greening and has the following views and concerns for the Green Master Plans after visiting the sites of the greening works in Central and Tsim Sha Tsui and reviewing the latest public information published by the Government:

Tree Species Selection

The Government should be very careful about tree species selection. Growing space (both under and above ground) should be enough for tree species with large crowns, like Delonix regia, Ficus microcarpus, Albizia saman. Thoruogh consideration should be given before planting of tree species that she leaves and drop fruits regularly such as Liquidambar formosana and Terminalia catappa, as these will require ample manpower to clean up the fallen leaves and fruits.

Central after the Greening Works

Enhancing Transparency

Species “election” is usually held in community forum to allow the participants to choose their favorite plants. Information on species selection criteria, potential problems or suitable growth environments should be provided to the public in addition to photos of flowers, fruits, tree forms so that the participants can make informed choices.

The public has the right to know about the monitoring and maintenance schedules. How the works are conducted and records kept should also be made known to the public; these should be shown to the public on request.

The Conservancy Association suggests that reporting mechanism on the progress and achievement of each GMP project should be in place. The community should be able to know whether and when the themes set for the Central and TST projects, namely “Heart of Gold” and “Jade Necklace” live up th their names and achieve the proposed cityscapes.

Tsim Sha Tsui after the greening works

Proper Management

Regular monitoring and maintenance works should be carried out by tree specialist. As some of the trees planted in Tsim Shan Tsui and Central under the GMP projects have been damaged by human disturbance and passing vehicles, protection of trees should be installed for those trees that are easily be damaged. Public awareness on tree conservation should also be heightened.

left: a tree damaged by passing vehicles in Central. right: TST greening works in progress (photo taken in July 07)

Improving Conditions of Existing Trees

Greening is more than planting more trees and shrubs, caring works of the existing trees are equally important. But we cannot see there is any measure to protect or improve the condition of existing trees, especially Old and Valuable Trees in the GMP projects. CA thinks that GMP is a good and may be the only chance to improve the condition of some of the OVTS, especially those roadside ones. For example, there are many roadside OVTs in Wanchai and Causeway Bay districts, those proposal do not mentioned any measure, such as expanding existing planters, opening up more paving for root development, etc., for the long term well being of the trees.