Second open letter to Eva Cheng, Secretary of Transport and Housing

Did our letter to Eva Cheng yesterday started a following? One reader sent us a copy of his open letter to Eva Cheng (see below).

Send your own letter to the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Eva Cheng, at [email protected] cc [email protected]



A Comment on 'Summer Streets in Hong Kong', by Mark Clifford

Dear Eva,

I want to give my support to the suggestion by Designing Hong Kong that Hong Kong adopt more innovative and people-friendly uses for its streets, notably by limiting vehicle use.

The limited pedestrianisation of Causeway Bay and Lan Kwai Fong has, from the standpoint of most users, been a big success. The same goes for the closure of Chater Road in Central on Sundays and public holidays.

They have made Hong Kong a better city (and, I would imagine, in the case of Causeway Bay and LKF at least, been good for retail sales as well).

Particularly given the controversy over the roads that are being built as part of the Central Reclamation project, there is a widespread public perception that government policy favors motorists.

Eva, I hope that you and others can correct this perception by coming up with some creative solutions to improve life for pedestrians in Hong Kong.

Cities around the world (and New York is only one example) are showing that there are many alternatives to increased motorization of cities.

Hong Kong is way behind in this trend. If we want to differentiate ourselves among Asian cities, it's time to adopt more imaginative and innovative solutions to the use of our streets.

Yes, there will be political pressure to change, but I think leadership by the government in this area would find public support.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Mark Clifford

Mid-Levels, Hong Kong