Should we reclaim land from Victoria Harbour for new roads and buildings? Discuss.
Hong Kong is facing the problem of land shortage for development for
many years. In a bid to solve the problem, the government has been reclaiming
land from Victoria Harbour for new roads and buildings. This scheme is in fact a
mixed blessing for the people living there.
For benefits, first of all, it can provide land for development as Hong Kong
has a lack of land. Hong Kong is facing keen competitions from other countries
such as Taiwan and Singapore. Therefore, it needs land to continue its
development. However, it is barely possible to find a piece of free land here.
Reclaiming land from Victoria Harbour is therefore a solution to the problem.
Added to the above is to solve the problem of high land price. Victoria
Harbour is located between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. The most precious stretches of land
are Central and Tsim Sha Tsui which are the centres for financial and trading activities. Therefore,
the land price of these two places is exceedingly high. Reclaiming land from Victoria Harbour is a
way to lower the land price of the property market as abundant land supply is available.
Last but not least, the scheme can provide more employment opportunities. During the
construction, workers are needed to reclaim the land, and to build roads and buildings. It provides
jobs for the unemployed, especially those who are not well-educated.
Sadly, there are many drawbacks that we have to consider. First and foremost, Victoria
Harbour is an invaluable asset to all Hong Kong people, so it is worth keeping the harbour in its
best shape. The harbour is of much historical importance as it witnesses the growth of Hong Kong.
Also, the vibrant and precious harbour is a symbol of Hong Kong’s prosperity. All these are the
memories of Hong Kong people.
Besides, the reclamation from Victoria Harbour will pollute the environment nearby. The
numerous skyscrapers and development will make the place even more crowded than before and
lead to serious traffic congestion. What’s more, it creates several kinds of pollution, like air, land
and sea pollution.
Lastly, it will lose its attractiveness to tourists. The harbour is a natural scenic spot,
together with the charming night scene; it earns the name of “The Pearl of the Orient” for Hong
Kong. The reclamation of the harbour will tarnish the image of Hong Kong because most tourists,
if not all, visit Hong Kong for sightseeing, especially for the unspeakable beauty of its night scene
on both sides of the harbour.
To me, I think the government shouldn’t pursue
economic development at the expense of our environment. Our
Victoria Harbour is very beautiful and we all know that it stands out
in the world. Instead of reclaiming land from Victoria Harbour, we
should find other ways to cope with the problem. For example, we
should redevelop the old districts or develop lands in the rural
areas.
7A Ng Pui Yee Pearl