Environment and development in Hong Kong

Abstract

In order to achieve its current economic status Hong Kong has been forced to overcome some environmental constraints on development. These include water supply; the scarcity of flat land for building and construction; slope instability problems; and pollution. Hong Kong has adopted a number of solutions in an attempt to alleviate these constraints. The difficulties and practicalities of some of these solutions are outlined. It is suggested that water supply is the most difficult problem to overcome because it is susceptible to political considerations especially with respect to water importation. Pollution is also of interest because it illustrates a growing awareness of the importance of the environment in the territory which parallels world-wide trends. The problem of land for development and slope instability and their solution largely reflect financial and technological factors. -from Author