New high-rises will consign less fortunate to dank canyons

When we experienced record levels of air pollution last year, a number of professionals gave their views on the reasons why the pollution levels in areas such as Causeway Bay, Central and Mongkok were so high.

The consensus was that the canyon effect of tall buildings on narrow streets was a major contributing factor. Suggestions were made that, because of the nature of our terrain, buildings should be erected in tiers, with lower blocks along the harbour front and the higher blocks against the mountain side. This would maximise the airflow and allow a majority of residents to enjoy a harbour view.

However, looking across the harbour at the evolving Kowloon waterfront, it is obvious that our city planners and property developers are ignoring these experts. A high wall of concrete is being erected along the harbour front and multi-storey blocks are being built on narrow, congested streets. Even the parks are not spared.

The Cheung Kong development on the corner of Austin and Canton roads will block the sunlight from part of Kowloon Park when it is completed. In a few years' time, as the new high-rise building blocks the flow of air from the harbour, the conditions in Causeway Bay, Central and Mongkok will be duplicated in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hunghom and Yau Ma Tei. Can the government departments that have given permission to the developers to erect these monoliths, some of them bang on the harbour front, reveal the master plan for Kowloon?

To the casual observer, it appears that the well-heeled will enjoy the fresh air and views along the harbour front, while the less fortunate will languish in the dank canyons in their shadow. Is this the future of the world-class city we have heard so much about?

ANDY YAU