爭取保育嘉咸街市集及蘇豪區–規劃「香港歷史城區」
請支持這項規劃申請！
公眾諮詢期至2008年8月29日
中西區關注組建議將中環最具歷史價值的舊街區–蘇豪及嘉咸街市集–劃為「特別設計區」，透過有效及有利可持續發展的規劃措施，去保護這個深具歷史文化價值的地區的活力及整體特色。
有關的12A規劃申請已被城規會接納考慮，現諮詢公眾意見至2008年8月29日 (申請編號Y/H3/3)。
這是首次有團體向城規會申請以「特別設計區」的框架去保護一個歷史文化區的環境及風貌。
此項申請覆蓋範圍約4.7平方公里，涵蓋嘉咸街市集及蘇豪區，申請旨在：
o 保護「歷史城區」內原有的街道結構及景觀。
o 訂定高度限制(12層或以下)及維持較小型的低矮樓宇，以保持現有宜人的樓宇密度及設計特色。
o 將部份嘉咸街、卑利街、結志街、士他花利街、吉士笠街及士丹利街劃為「市集街」，保留綠色小販排檔、大排檔、街市店舖，確保現有市集能繼續運作。
o 確保更新過程能維護此區的歷史風貌，並維繫周邊古蹟，包括中區警署、荷李活道警察宿舍、文武廟、孫中山史蹟徑等的整體連貫性。
o 鼓勵私人業主翻新及復修物業，讓舊城區有機地更新，並由政府改善交通、市集設施及衛生環境。
o 降低發展密度將有助減輕該區交通擠塞，改善空氣及採光質素。
關注組發言人羅雅寧及John Batten：「我們要求當局確認中上環歴史城區的重要性，並以全面的規劃方案使整區(由中區警署建築群至中央書院遺址、嘉咸街市集至蘇豪)得到適當的保育。」
羅氏補充，這區正面對錯誤規劃及過度發展的威脅，若當局不即時設立「特別設計區」給予保護，香港將失去一個最美及最具本土特色的歴史城區，和一個最古老又最具活力的露天市集。
關注組呼籲公眾支持是項規劃申請，於2008年8月29日前向城規會遞交意見書，註明申請編號Y/H3/3，城規會電郵： tpbpd@pland.gov.hk。有關是項規劃申請的詳情，可瀏覽中西區關注組網址
www.centralandwestern.org。
2008年8月21日 星期四
2008年8月17日 星期日
2008年7月11日 星期五
Rethink Hong Kong's approach to urban regeneration
By Anson Chan Fang On-sang, a directly elected legislator,
first published in the South China Morning Post on 7 March 2008
For many - locals and overseas visitors alike - our vibrant street culture symbolises the energy and entrepreneurial spirit that is the heart of Hong Kong. Unfortunately, an increasing number of such areas are under threat of being swept away in the name of providing a "better" living environment and neighbourhood. In short, our cherished street life is under threat; our city is becoming increasingly sanitised as well as sanitary.
One project in my constituency, which has attracted vocal criticism from a number of concerned groups and individuals, is the Urban Renewal Authority's (URA) scheme to redevelop the Graham and Peel Street area of Central. For over 100 years, this area has been home to a thriving open-air market that is heavily patronised by local shoppers and overseas visitors. One particular concern group - The World City Committee - has gone as far as to submit an alternative proposal to the Town Planning Board in a bid to prevent wholesale demolition of the market and its surrounding area, and its replacement by four multi-storey towers erected on large podium structures.
Members of this committee and their technical advisers are all volunteers who have devoted their time and effort to producing alternative ideas, not for any monetary reward, but because they feel passionately about preserving the unique character of this part of town. I am therefore pleased to see that the Town Planning Board has recently agreed to publish the committee's alternative master plan for public consultation and evaluation alongside the URA scheme, which has already been approved by the board.
Worldwide, examples abound of imaginative schemes that have enabled decaying market areas to be revitalised in situ and often go on to become a focus for art and crafts, and other speciality retail offerings, which create employment and attract overseas visitors, as well as serving local needs. The Peel and Graham Street area is ideally located to evolve in this way. There is nothing wrong with the URA's overall mission and mandate which, among other things, requires it to place high priority on "enhancing and strengthening the socio-economic and environmental fabric for the benefit of urban communities". But there is a growing perception and deepening concern in the community that the authority does not always practise what it preaches and that its approach to urban regeneration is outmoded. It is not good enough for the URA to plead that this criticism is based on misconceptions and inadequate understanding of the benefits of particular schemes. Nor should the government stand back and allow responsible criticism to be swept aside, when it bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that its urban renewal strategy benefits the whole community - not just the big property developers and those residents directly benefiting from removal compensation.
There needs to be a much more conscious effort to think creatively and abandon conventional development templates. We need to ask just how many more giant commercial or residential tower blocks we really want, blocking sunlight and airflow. How many more glitzy shopping malls, populated by empty boutiques selling luxury goods that the vast majority of Hong Kong people can't afford?
If there are misconceptions, if people are wrong in fearing that urban redevelopment proposals are being driven primarily by a requirement to maximise plot ratio and generate the highest development premium, then representatives of the authority, and the relevant government departments and policy bureaus, should engage openly with their critics, listen to what they have to say and be prepared to concede that there may be merit in some of their suggestions and counterproposals.
In recent days, Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah, in his budget speech, and URA chairman Barry Cheung Chun-yuen have hinted that the government and the URA will explore redevelopment strategies that are both more flexible and more responsive to the overall needs of the districts concerned. If so, I am sure they will be warmly welcomed by the community as a whole.
In her now classic song, Big Yellow Taxi, folk singer Joni Mitchell muses on how all too often:
... you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot.
It may not be paradise, but the Graham and Peel Street market area is a valuable part of our city's heritage. There is still time to rethink the current plan and to make sure that the best possible balance is achieved between needed environmental upgrading and cultural preservation.
http://www.designinghongkong.com/cms/index2.php?option=com_yanc&act=archive&task=view&cid=9&Itemid=8&no_html=1
first published in the South China Morning Post on 7 March 2008
For many - locals and overseas visitors alike - our vibrant street culture symbolises the energy and entrepreneurial spirit that is the heart of Hong Kong. Unfortunately, an increasing number of such areas are under threat of being swept away in the name of providing a "better" living environment and neighbourhood. In short, our cherished street life is under threat; our city is becoming increasingly sanitised as well as sanitary.
One project in my constituency, which has attracted vocal criticism from a number of concerned groups and individuals, is the Urban Renewal Authority's (URA) scheme to redevelop the Graham and Peel Street area of Central. For over 100 years, this area has been home to a thriving open-air market that is heavily patronised by local shoppers and overseas visitors. One particular concern group - The World City Committee - has gone as far as to submit an alternative proposal to the Town Planning Board in a bid to prevent wholesale demolition of the market and its surrounding area, and its replacement by four multi-storey towers erected on large podium structures.
Members of this committee and their technical advisers are all volunteers who have devoted their time and effort to producing alternative ideas, not for any monetary reward, but because they feel passionately about preserving the unique character of this part of town. I am therefore pleased to see that the Town Planning Board has recently agreed to publish the committee's alternative master plan for public consultation and evaluation alongside the URA scheme, which has already been approved by the board.
Worldwide, examples abound of imaginative schemes that have enabled decaying market areas to be revitalised in situ and often go on to become a focus for art and crafts, and other speciality retail offerings, which create employment and attract overseas visitors, as well as serving local needs. The Peel and Graham Street area is ideally located to evolve in this way. There is nothing wrong with the URA's overall mission and mandate which, among other things, requires it to place high priority on "enhancing and strengthening the socio-economic and environmental fabric for the benefit of urban communities". But there is a growing perception and deepening concern in the community that the authority does not always practise what it preaches and that its approach to urban regeneration is outmoded. It is not good enough for the URA to plead that this criticism is based on misconceptions and inadequate understanding of the benefits of particular schemes. Nor should the government stand back and allow responsible criticism to be swept aside, when it bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that its urban renewal strategy benefits the whole community - not just the big property developers and those residents directly benefiting from removal compensation.
There needs to be a much more conscious effort to think creatively and abandon conventional development templates. We need to ask just how many more giant commercial or residential tower blocks we really want, blocking sunlight and airflow. How many more glitzy shopping malls, populated by empty boutiques selling luxury goods that the vast majority of Hong Kong people can't afford?
If there are misconceptions, if people are wrong in fearing that urban redevelopment proposals are being driven primarily by a requirement to maximise plot ratio and generate the highest development premium, then representatives of the authority, and the relevant government departments and policy bureaus, should engage openly with their critics, listen to what they have to say and be prepared to concede that there may be merit in some of their suggestions and counterproposals.
In recent days, Financial Secretary John Tsang Chun-wah, in his budget speech, and URA chairman Barry Cheung Chun-yuen have hinted that the government and the URA will explore redevelopment strategies that are both more flexible and more responsive to the overall needs of the districts concerned. If so, I am sure they will be warmly welcomed by the community as a whole.
In her now classic song, Big Yellow Taxi, folk singer Joni Mitchell muses on how all too often:
... you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot.
It may not be paradise, but the Graham and Peel Street market area is a valuable part of our city's heritage. There is still time to rethink the current plan and to make sure that the best possible balance is achieved between needed environmental upgrading and cultural preservation.
http://www.designinghongkong.com/cms/index2.php?option=com_yanc&act=archive&task=view&cid=9&Itemid=8&no_html=1
2008年4月10日 星期四
Light Installation Central St. Market Event
Peel Street, Graham Street and Gage Street
15 th April, 2008 (Tuesday)
6:30pm - 9:30pm
In using research, design and built methods, the seminar curriculum engages students and the community on architecture's role in building community structures that relate to the urgency of preserving and promoting cultural and social activities in Hong Kong's built environment and public space. The location for this semesters project is the Graham Street Market in Central Hong Kong, which is currently undergoing development and regeneration. Supporting seminars at The University of Hong Kong led by Marisa Yiu, and other discussion forums (such as ‘Public Space’ with Designing Hong Kong to URA Presentations organized by Prof David Lung have taken place).
Students gain an understanding of the history, heritage, existing planning and questions relating to the future of the Central Street Market. The seminar entitled, 'The Politics of the Object: Transformative public and cultural landscapes' is led by Ms. Marisa K.S Yiu (Assistant Professor, Department of Architecture at The University of Hong Kong). Students have the opportunity of working closely with Ms. Katty Law from 'Save the street market' - campaign, that is focused on reversing the disintegration of the historic Graham Street Market in Hong Kong. The project includes researching the history and development of the Central street market and producing final designed 'Lighting' objects. With this background - workshops with Mr. Christopher Mok a professional Light consulatant (Principal of Spectrum Design Associates) have assisted students to produce seven small built Light objects.
The two-hour long temporary installation on site hope to encourage the public to engage with the student's projects and act as a dialogue between various audiences of the community.
On going progress class website: www.arch.hku.hk/5108b
Schedule:
Tuesday April 15th
6:30pm
Student presentations with invited guest critics (final review) and tour of installations onsite
Meet at No.10 Gage St at 6:15pm for briefing
7:30pm - 9:30pm
Light installation event and reception onsite at Graham St. Market
No. 10 Gage St.
April 28th to May 2nd
Exhibition continues of the Seven Light Objects
Location: Public covered courtyard adjacent to the Main Library at HKU
Seven Light Objects.
Seven groups (14 Students)
On Peel Street, Graham Street and Gage Street.
Parameters:
- Each student group must work within an approximate dimension of 1m x 1m x 1/2m.
- How the Light installation illustrates their research and questions their work within the context.
- Site specific and/or Hawker Booth specific.
- From Research, concept, testing to final fabrication (6 weeks)
- Fabricated within limited budget and resources. Well crafted.
2008年2月18日 星期一
民間提嘉咸街重建新方案撼市建局
2008年2月14日 星期四
勇利行殷太
殷太是這間勇利行雜貨店的店主。這間雜貨店已經有一百多年的歷史，收集了超過一千多種代表不同年代的貨品，如：五六十年代的飾物、四十年代的茶壺等。
我們問她覺得街市節怎麼樣，她說街市節間接增加了她的生意，而且覺得市集地圖製成精美，內容深入淺出，能夠扼要說出每個商鋪的特式。不過，她認為街市節尚有可改善的地方，如街市節的內容主要是「文娛活動」，街坊難以參與，大都只是於開幕典禮當天吃過燒肉，所以那些活動並不能代表嘉咸街，不能表達「民情」。她續說如主辦單位與街坊開會的時間改在晚上七至八時後，待各人收拾攤檔後，就會更為適合。至於嘉咸街的將來，殷太認為政府提出的老店街及名店街的方案完全違背了街市的「拼搏精神」﹝善用每一分可利用的空間擺放自己的產品﹞，而將來只劃分3尺x 4尺的地方給每個小販租戶，試問只擺放一至兩籮蔬菜，怎能讓一名小販賴以維生？另外，當街市兩旁的商店變成了名店，小販們還能生存嗎？租金又會變成怎樣？面對不明朗的前景，殷太最後還是選擇賣掉嘉咸街的舖位，搬到信德大廈， 仍表示希望關注團體替他們爭取保留整個嘉咸街街市。
2008年1月27日 星期日
義記菜檔- Christine & Strawberry
Christine 是嘉咸街街市義記菜檔的檔主，她這個鋪位已經營了廿多個年頭。 她售賣的蔬菜種類繁多，比較貴價的西式蔬菜如羅馬菜、荷蘭茄、紫椰菜等都可在義記菜檔裡找到。 這裡可以真的比美一些大型超級市場，但價錢當然比起那些大型超級市場便宜得多。由於顧客多是外國人，所以她們上主要賣西式蔬菜並加上英文價錢牌,可見街市人的靈活性。Christine可以說是嘉咸街街市節最活躍的檔主，街市節的主要活動，她都抽空出席。她常常跟客人談談如何保護這個街市並鼓勵他們於“保護我們的露天市集留言冊”留言，她表示很多顧客都不想這個街市被拆掉。她還把留言冊給我們看, 很多顧客都有留言，希望盡一分力去保留街市文化。 她還說之前有一些學生曾在她的菜檔工作一天，這樣反而更可讓年青人知道街市獨特的文化，如怎樣跟客人溝通、怎樣擺放貨物等等。 她坦言雖然她很落力參與是次活動，但她認為街市節的活動對她們幫助不大。是次活動只能讓多一些人知道這件事，至於一些實際的問題如怎樣安置她們- 她也感嘆不知可以怎樣做。
游太
遊太是這個生果攤檔的檔主，曾兩次代表嘉咸街的街坊與市區重建局會面，相討有關嘉咸街重建後的發展。雖然如此，遊太對於攤擋的將來仍然感到迷茫，不知嘉咸街重建時會被安排到那個地方繼續經營生果攤檔。即使嘉咸街翻新後，又擔心露天市場今非昔比，租金上升，名店林立，不適合再回來擺設攤擋。
當我們探訪遊太的時候，適逢是嘉咸街街市節，是次活動是由中西區關注組及思網絡合作舉辦的，目的是為了讓市民更加了解這個街市，並一起爭取保留它。當我們問及遊太對街市節的印象如何，她說它達到了宣傳效果，吸引了許多傳媒、遊客，帶旺街市，增加收入。不過，她參與街市節的程度，就只是於開幕典禮當天吃了一些燒肉，並表示「知識份子」所舉辨的活動如花生騷、文人論壇不適合小販參與。之後更與我們分享小販奮鬥史，由流動小販變成攤擋小販，每天工作超過十二小時，縱使辛苦，好歹也算時自己親手經營一門小生意。她更告訴我們，香港某個著名地產商十多年前亦是在嘉咸街當小販，賺取他的「第一桶金」，然後發跡起來，所以她亦深信街市及小販這個行業是可以創造奇蹟，並希望「知識份子」可以為他們爭取保留街市，讓他們得以經營下去。
蕃茄伯伯-有利腐乳王
邵先生是有利腐乳王的店主，他的檔口主要是售賣自製醬料和一些乾果，當中以自家精製腐乳和蜜餞車厘茄乾最為馳名， 因而得到 “蕃茄伯伯” 的名稱。 他表示他的檔口只屬小本經營，做的都是街坊生意，並認為嘉咸街街市重建後，整條街會變得「高檔」。他相信重建後到嘉咸街市集消費的人都不會是街坊，感嘆鄰近的街坊於重建後都不會繼續光顧。
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