Hong Kong flower market may lose ‘spirit’ in revamp, board members fear
Town Planning Board holds first public hearing on Sai Yee Street and Flower Market Road development scheme in Mong Kok
Members of Hong Kong’s Town Planning Board have expressed concern that a famed flower market will lose its “spirit” under a redevelopment plan, despite agreeing the scheme may help to revitalise the area.
They made the comments on Wednesday when the board, a statutory body that assesses land use applications, held its first public hearing on Mong Kok’s Sai Yee Street and Flower Market Road development scheme.
Board member Wong Woon-chung said he hoped the characteristics of the market could be incorporated into the plan.
“The renewal plan can help society move forward although it is without the spirit [of the flower market],” he said.
Wong added that he did not want the project to resemble the revitalisation of Lee Tung Street in Wan Chai, which critics said had failed to preserve the area’s characteristics.
It was previously known as “Wedding Card Street” with such businesses lining the road. But the area is mostly filled with restaurants after redevelopment.
The Urban Renewal Authority last March announced the plan to redevelop 31 buildings aged between 64 and 76 years in the area near the flower market, affecting about 275 households and 33 ground-floor shops.
