Summary
During the dinner talk on 17 March 2015, Kenneth analyzed the role of agriculture in Hong Kong today from a professional planner’s perspective. He also explored the relationship between agriculture and town planning.
Kenneth pointed out that the contribution of agriculture to Hong Kong’s economy was rather small; therefore, agriculture had not been drawing public attention over the past decades, while Hong Kong experienced rapid economic growth in other areas. In recent years, there had been incidents related to food safety all around the world. Hong Kong people became worried that they could be affected by the tainted food, and local agriculture started to be valued by the community. Kenneth thought that developing local agriculture should be encouraged, and he discussed, from a town planning perspective, problems which local agriculture was facing, and suggested solutions.
Kenneth pointed out that the ownership of farmland in Hong Kong was fragmented and a high proportion of the farmland was in private hands. Our zoning system, which is based on the principle of prohibiting non-conformed uses, is not capable of encouraging active agricultural practices. He suggested that the Government increase her agriculture land bank and encourage agricultural use on agricultural land.
Kenneth also pointed out that agriculture has developed into different types of farming activities, including Hobby Farming, Community Farming, etc. However, the town planning system was kept abreast of the development of agriculture. He suggested reviewing land use conditions to address the various farming activities nowadays. His suggestions included establishing “Urban Agriculture” as a new land use in town planning terms, clarifying what kind of ancillary uses (such as selling of on-site produced food and tuition class) should be allowed in industrial building, classifying Hobby Farm one of the Column 1 use in “AGR”, “REC” and “GB” zones, establishing a licensing system for Hobby Farm, etc.
Kenneth also pointed out that agriculture has developed into different types of farming activities, including Hobby Farming, Community Farming, etc. However, the town planning system was kept abreast of the development of agriculture. He suggested reviewing land use conditions to address the various farming activities nowadays. His suggestions included establishing “Urban Agriculture” as a new land use in town planning terms, clarifying what kind of ancillary uses (such as selling of on-site produced food and tuition class) should be allowed in industrial building, classifying Hobby Farm one of the Column 1 use in “AGR”, “REC” and “GB” zones, establishing a licensing system for Hobby Farm, etc.
PresentationSDA Dinner Talk
Date︰
17 Mar 2015
Speaker︰
Mr Kenneth To
Vice-President, Hong Kong Institute of Planners
Topic of speech︰
Agriculture for Hong Kong – a planner’s view
Venue︰
The CGCC Members Club, 6/F Chamber’s Building, 24-25 Connaught Road, Central, Hong Kong
