The Interview: Life as a Legislator
Issue 38 - Feb 2008

Patrick Lau , the lawmaker, professor and architect, has been a figure at the heart of Hong Kong's urban development for many years.e laDr Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, Asia-Pacific advisor to Mastercard Worldwide, speaks to Ashford Pritchard about demographics, the global talent crunch and other issues affecting the real estate universe in Asia.

A man as tall as the ideals he seeks to represent, Patrick Lau speaks with a tone of authority one would expect from a long time university lecturer and former head of Hong Kong University's Architecture Department. Since 2005, he has been the representative of the architectural, surveying and planning Functional Constituency in Hong Kong's legislative council. Having also worked closely with government in the past, (Lau spent eight years on the town planning board, two of those as vice-chairman), he is clearly well acquainted with how Hong Kong's urban planning is managed, from all sides of the debate.

Taking Controversy
A number of public and grassroots level protests over town planning issues have dominated the headlines in Hong Kong. From candlelit vigils at the old Star Ferry terminal to vocal marches on government house, the clash between development and conservation of heritage has grabbed the public's attention. "Hong Kong is becoming more sophisticated," says Lau, highlighting increased levels of affluence in the city and a more highly educated population. With this sophistication comes a more general awareness of issues affecting the quality of life, and particularly the urban environment. The realisation, says Lau is: "what good is it to make a lot of money if your city is lousy?"

Lau believes that the public outcry on conservation issues has been noted by Government, specifically pointing to Donald Tsang's last policy address where, for the first time, "he has started talking about quality of life and once he said that, to me, it means he has to consider how to plan our urban environment to be more habitable, more sustainable."

The task of breaking the status quo however, Lau believes, is a big one. "One of the biggest problems is that we have two different planning ordinances and the road and rail ordinance seems to take precedence over town planning. So you build the road first." This approach causes the planning and implementation of urban projects to be skewed, so transport infrastructure can take precedence over a livable environment.

Legislating for change
As a legislator, Lau occupies a grey area between government and the people. The government is under no obligation to implement bills passed in LegCo, they must merely consider the issues raised. "As a legislator you can only do so many things such as proposing motions, monitoring government, making laws, approving funds and the annual budget," Lau explains. However, he continues, the government has so far been receptive to his ideas. In 2006, his "Facilitating urban development" motion was passed in the council, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Development Bureau in July 2007. Headed by Secretary for Development, Carrie Lam, this entity consolidates nine government departments with the aim of better coordinating major infrastructure projects and covers both planning and lands, and public works.

Lau hopes that this new bureau will take on one of the biggest problems in Hong Kong urban development. "I wouldn't say there's no planning, in terms of architecture and urban planning", he says, "the land use is good, but timing is the biggest problem in Hong Kong." The new town of Tin Shui Wai in the New Territories is an example of this, he continues. While comprehensive plans including community facilities are in place, they haven't yet been fully implemented. Then result is that, says Lau, "you move lot of people there, far away from the city and there's nothing there for them. Getting back to the city is very costly and there are no jobs. When you realise a new part of the city, it's not just the plan, implementation is just as important. Without the hardware you won't get the software." In some cases, there are empty lots there that have been earmarked for community centres or sporting facilities, but at some stage their implementation has been delayed. "This causes a lot of aggravation, you make a mockery out of planning," says Lau.

Asking the Public
Another area that could be much improved, in Lau's opinion, is the public consultation process. "If you go out to the public with a blank piece of paper and ask them to create something it doesn't work. There are a lot of constraints in a city, there are access issues, boundaries to consider and city policy." The process can even be counter-productive, with impractical proposals being heard and timing again becoming a big issue. "If you take things too slow the consultation will come back and haunt you. For example, in Central all the plans have been fixed, consultation has been done, reclamation has been reduced and yet you missed the Star Ferry, you missed the Queen's pier."

Lau advocates a more efficient and professional approach. Much like an architect working for a client, it shouldn't involve asking the public about every little thing. Instead, by setting criteria, with key points for discussion, you can feel the pulse of public opinion and plan from there. "To do a more productive consultation you need to listen to what you have missed, or to the district's views. The thing is that you have to act professionally and take it through, take ideas on board, and make things happen."

Green City
A founding member of the Professional Green Building Council and a frequent speaker at conferences on green issues, sustainable building and urban development is something very close to Lau's heart. In 2007, his "Policies on sustainable development and green buildings" motion was passed in LegCo. This motion asks government to review, formulate and implement green policies related to both old and new buildings. Already, the government has responded, beginning a consultation process on the implementation of mandatory building energy codes.

Another project Lau is spearheading is the creation of an open public facility to showcase and independently evaluate green building technologies. "Only by demonstrating that these technologies work and by really getting the public's attention can we hope to really improve our green performance," he says. It seems that education, of both the public and government is the main challenge to be overcome for a better planned, more environmentally sustainable Hong Kong. RFP

I wouldn't say there's no planning, in terms of architecture and urban planning, the land use is good, but timing is the biggest problem in Hong Kong.

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