January 2020 – Page 2 – ENHANCE HONG KONG

RETURN OF THE RICKSHAWS

OBSERVATION: Hong Kong’s venerable rickshaws have almost completely vanished, despite their cultural and historical significance.

SOLUTION: Bring back the rickshaws by issuing new licenses and providing dedicated areas of travel along the harbourfront and other pedestrianized areas.

Can rickshaws be rescued before they disappear into oblivion?

Hong Kong’s rickshaws and their owners are a dying breed. In 1924, it was estimated that almost 3,500 rickshaws were in use throughout the territory, which have now dwindled to the last remaining license holder since the Government stopped issuing licenses in the 1970s.

Could the soon-to-be-extinct rickshaw industry be revived along the frontage of Victoria Harbour and other pedestrianized areas of Hong Kong?
While patrons of a rickshaw ride would likely be predominantly tourists, could this humble wheeled contraption also become a viable resident transport option for short hops along the flat harbourfront areas, especially if a new harbourfront pedestrian promenade could be developed?
Could new “pullers” hoping to get into shape be recruited as new license holders? Why jog along the harbourfront to get into shape when you could pull a rickshaw, make money, expand your social network, and get a better cardio workout?
Could a new line of high-performance rickshaws be created with ball-bearings, minimizing friction and maximizing speed?

Let’s get creative:

Could new rickshaw races through challenging obstacle courses be created to rival the annual Dragonboating races?
Could rickshaws be interfaced with computer / geocaching games where teams compete to collect points from various locations to bridge computer gaming with physical fitness?
What about a new “Hong Kong Challenge” — could a new ultramarathon team event be devised which incorporates Dragonboating, Rickshaw Pulling, Bun Tower Scrambling, and other endurance activities that are specific to Hong Kong, while celebrating the city’s unique characteristics, and attracting sporting enthusiasts from around the world?

While the film industry will always have a need for the occasional rickshaw for various productions, are there other possibilities to help keep the rickshaw from disappearing forever like many other aspects of Hong Kong’s vanishing heritage?

TAXI TRACKING

OBSERVATION: Hong Kong’s taxis have gained a poor reputation for taking residents and tourists on the “scenic route” to their destinations … just to make an extra buck!

SOLUTION: Provide GPS tracking and identification of all taxis for trip audits in the event of a dispute, and to more efficiently dispatch taxis to meet the needs of both passengers and drivers.

How many times have you been “taken for a ride” by an unscrupulous Hong Kong taxi driver in a poorly maintained vehicle that reeks of urine and cigarette smoke? Could a mandatory GPS tracking system and interactive driver rating system be implemented to safeguard both passengers and drivers, as well as minimize disputes?

Since Uber is still not an approved public transport option in Hong Kong, consider a comprehensive overhaul of the current taxi industry to provide a positive impact on Hong Kong’s tourism industry and residents’ quality of life.

Consider the following ideas:

Install a GPS tracking system in each taxi that is linked with a Taxi Hailing app that efficiently matches passengers with nearby taxis and taxis with their preferred routes, all while being monitored by a central taxi dispatching center. This would also provide a time-stamped audit trail of routes taken to dissuade unscrupulous drivers from taking the “scenic route” and to minimize passenger complaints.
Provide drivers with an interface to a real-time traffic conditions map that assists drivers in taking the least congested route for maximum efficiency, and to maximize their number of revenue-generating trips per day.
Provide QR codes on the passenger side door which passengers could scan with their smartphones, and instantly ascertain the rating of that driver.
Create an interactive taxi app to allow passengers to rate the vehicle and its driver relative to driver safety, hygienic condition of the taxi, driver courteousness, and other factors that are compiled into an overall composite score per trip.
Greatly reduce staffing levels at taxi complaints hotlines due to a predicted dramatic fall in complaints.
Provide a central database with each professional driver’s licensing history, training, traffic violations, passenger complaints, etc. for use by the Department of Transport in granting and renewing individual taxi licenses.
Provide driver protection — assuming privacy issues are addressed, the smartphone ID of particularly abusive or disorderly passengers could be flagged, allowing drivers to decline a fare.
Provide Government subsidies for the repair, upkeep and detailing of individual vehicles to motivate drivers to improve their scores.
Provide a financial reward scheme for drivers with the highest composite scores.

Could Hong Kong’s taxi industry be vastly improved through some of these initiatives which could minimize complaints and incentivize drivers to improve their service? Singapore currently employs several similar strategies and should be further assessed whether some might be adopted for use in Hong Kong.

CARDBOARD GRANNIES

OBSERVATION: The recycling of cardboard in Hong Kong is often via a grassroots army of elderly and often impoverished “cardboard grannies” who can be seen pushing massive carts of cardboard across town to scrap collectors, which often use roadways for loading and sorting activities.

SOLUTION: Provide dedicated purpose-built Community Recycling Centers to minimize travel distances, incentive the public to participate in recycling programs, and provide financial assistance to the elderly.

Daily life in Hong Kong: Elderly citizens pushing trolleys piled high with cardboard

One of thousands of elderly citizens with recyclables in tow.

In 2017, it was estimated that 340,000 people over the age of 65 were living in poverty. The income disparity that exists in Hong Kong today is exemplified by the many elderly low-income residents — predominantly women — who have become urban scavengers to make ends meet. According to recent studies, many of these “cardboard grannies” ranging in age from 60 – 80 haul up to 70kg of cardboard a day for a meager payout of only HK$50 (US$6.40).

The current ad-hoc system pays on the basis of weight, which often has these entrepreneurial grannies wasting precious water to soak their cardboard to increase its weight — and the corresponding payout.

Scrap collection centers often use public sidewalks and roadways for their operations, inconveniently blocking pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Scrap collection areas in the urban areas are often cramped within tiny ground floor recesses of buildings, necessitating the use of sidewalks and roadways (technically Government Land) for loading / unloading, sorting, and breaking down various components by hand before consolidation in cardboard balers and glass crushers. As a result, in some areas young children walking between residential areas and public transport interchanges often need to “run the gauntlet” along sidewalks strewn with twisted metal, broken glass and other hazards.

Could there be a better way?

Could purpose-built Neighborhood Recycling Centers be established to minimize travel distances, encourage all residents to recycle, and provide safe passage along the city’s sidewalks?
Could financial incentives be provided as motivation for people to recycle … instead of leaving this to the financially challenged elderly?
Could additional financial assistance be provided to the low-income elderly to relieve them of scavenging in their golden years and enjoy retirement?

RESTAURANT HYGIENE RATINGS

OBSERVATION: Hong Kong is a foodie paradise with dining options ranging from the humble Dai Pai Dong to legendary Michelin-starred restaurants. Unfortunately, the hygienic condition of kitchens are woefully overlooked and are often not commensurate with the quality of the outlets they serve — unbeknownst to diners.

SOLUTION: Supplement the existing Government food licensing requirements with mandatory food hygiene certificates to visibly grade each food and beverage establishment for the general public.

The condition of restaurant kitchens in Hong Kong range from spotless and well-maintained commercial kitchens to vermin-infested grimy pantries which give rise to frequent cases of food poisoning. As the kitchens of many establishments are out of sight to restaurant patrons, a mandatory annual food hygiene certification scheme with a requirement for a certificate to be posted at the outlet entry would provide customers with an informed choice, raise the level of kitchen hygiene across the territory, and might assist in reducing unnecessary food-borne illnesses.

This straightforward UK-based numerical certification system could be easily adopted in Hong Kong.

Annually-issued numerical ratings for each outlet could also be included in food apps such as OpenRice, and would very likely incentivize some restaurant owners to “clean up their act” if they want to remain in business.

VICTORIA HARBOUR WATER TAXIS

OBSERVATION: Water crossings across Hong Kong’s busy Victoria Harbour are primarily restricted to a handful of ferry piers, while lateral travel along the coastline is limited to land-based public transportation options.

SOLUTION: Could a new water taxi system be provided along the length of both sides of Victoria Harbour to provide more flexible water transportation options?

Travel along the edges of Victoria Harbour is largely limited to land-based public transportation options; however, could Hong Kong emulate Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River water taxi system, which provides convenient water transport for millions?

Could a water taxi system along the edge of Victoria Harbour provide convenient transport options? Imagine tourists arriving at Kai Tak Cruise terminal traveling to a seafood dinner in Lei King Wan in just a few short hops by water taxi.

If Hong Kong Island ‘s waterfront were to be improved with a continuous pedestrian promenade, this promenade could be punctuated by water taxi stops at various intervals to provide efficient lateral transport along the coastline without reliance on land-based transportation systems. Could these relatively small watercraft be electric-powered and non-polluting to reduce the net amount of pollution ordinarily associated with vehicular public transportation?

Select cross-harbour water taxis could also supplement the widely-used current Star Ferry routes by running between less frequented piers.

KOWLOON TRAMS

OBSERVATION: Hong Kong’s historic trams continue to ply the north coast of Hong Kong island and provide an affordable and scenic public transportation option, while Kowloon has fewer options.

SOLUTION: Could a new tram system be created in Kowloon linking Tsim Sha Tsui with districts further to the north?

Hong Kong Island’s beloved and iconic trams have been in operation since 1904 and are currently operated by Hong Kong Tramways Limited. Could a new tram network be created to provide an affordable high-density transport option through some of Kowloon’s most populous neighborhoods and reduce vehicular traffic?

Pending a feasibility study, such a tram line might mirror the alignment of the MTR line beneath Nathan Road and Cheung Sha Wan Road. A southern terminus of a new tram line might be provided at the Star Ferry in Tsim Sha Tsui, with services extending to Jordan, Yau Ma Tei, Mongkok, Prince Edward, Sham Shui Po, Cheung Sha Wan, and Lai Chi Kok, with a terminus / depot in Mei Foo.

SAI KUNG FERRY

OBSERVATION: Sai Kung, located in Hong Kong’s New Territories, is plagued with very limited access from the urban areas, yet is equipped with a public pier.

SOLUTION: Provide a new ferry service between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon to Sai Kung to improve access for residents and visitors.

Sai Kung is often a favorite weekend destination for tourists and residents.

Access to Sai Kung from Hong Kong’s urban areas is primarily by road, and getting to this picturesque seaside community — especially during busy weekends — is often a complete nightmare for both residents and visitors alike.

Sai Kung is equipped with a public pier that currently accommodates a wide variety of Kaitos, sampans, speedboats, ferries and junks that provide daytrips to nearby islands, the Hong Kong Geopark and surrounding areas. While the concept of providing regular ferry services linking Sai Kung to the more populous urban areas has been discussed in the past, the financial viability of operating such a regular ferry service has often been cited as problematic.

Could the Government provide subsidies to a private operator — at least during weekends — to provide an alternative transportation option to and from Sai Kung that is not reliant on road access?

NEW TERRITORIES LOST VILLAGES

OBSERVATION: Abandoned traditional villages throughout Hong Kong’s New Territories have fallen into various states of decay, many of which are in ruins and shrouded with vegetation.

SOLUTION: Rebuild and revitalize these “lost villages” for residential or tourism use — could some of these redeveloped villages become new artist’s colonies or retreats for weekend staycations?

One of countless abandoned buildings scattered throughout the New Territories

Many abandoned buildings are slowly being swallowed up by nature

Hong Kong’s New Territories are littered with the remains of once inhabited traditional villages which have long since been abandoned. Land ownership issues are often complex and many of these former villages lack electricity, a water supply or waste treatment facilities. Some of these crumbling villages have become major eyesores for tourists and resident hikers, and often have become dumping grounds for all manners of waste from surrounding communities.

However, could the Government — in a public-private partnership — spearhead an effort to rebuild and revitalize some of the more accessible “lost villages” to function as temporary or permanent accommodation? Could some of these forgotten villages be redeveloped into affordable artist’s colonies, or spiritual retreats to escape the pressures of urban living? Could these villages become self-sufficient off-the-grid developments using sustainable energy solutions?

Could such revitalized villages also become an important piece in the tourism jigsaw puzzle by serving as a showcase for Hong Kong’s culture, history and traditions for both residents and visitors?