Innovation such as driverless cars key to overhauling old Hong Kong districts, Urban Renewal Authority chief says
Yet converting intention into reality requires greater flexibility from officials
A more innovative approach is necessary to overhaul two of Hong Kong’s oldest districts, the city’s top urban renewal official has declared, as he planned to incorporate the latest technologies such as driverless cars in the areas.
Yet converting intention into reality would require greater flexibility from officials and some planning rules must be relaxed, according to Urban Renewal Authority (URA) managing director Wai Chi-sing.
“Hong Kong has always been talking about being a smart city,” Wai told the Post on August 24. “The reason why it has not succeeded is that we haven’t applied technology.”
“But for all this to happen, government policies need to be accommodating.”
Wai said the authority was adopting a more district-based approach in redeveloping two of Hong Kong’s oldest areas, Mong Kok and Yau Ma Tei. Instead of looking at individual redevelopment sites in the two areas, the authority is carrying out a study to identify problems the entire district faces, formulate proposals and consult the neighbourhood. The same approach was taken to address ageing buildings in Kowloon City seven years ago.
