An analysis of tree management policy in Hong Kong

Abstract

Trees are a valuable asset of our society, but little policy research has been conducted in this area at the university level. The policy in Hong Kong has changed from tree preservation to tree management due to repeated tree collapse incidents that have affected public safety and the harmony and sustainability of the environment and society. The Kingdon and Zahariadis multiple streams approach is found to be the most suitable analytical framework for the analysis of tree management policy in Hong Kong. The problem stream looks at why the problems occur, what they are, the magnitude of change in the conditions and why we need to do something about tree management. The policy stream looks at how to deal with and regulate tree management. The politics stream looks at what is done by whom in tree management policy. Finally, the aforementioned three streams are coupled by policy entrepreneurs using policy output so that the agenda can be set and the policy adopted. The tree management policy in Hong Kong is investigated and analysed through the lens of multiple streams theory and it is hoped that the information in this dissertation can offer a clearer understanding of the policy and its role in creating a better Hong Kong.