URA announces appointments to District Advisory Committees

The Urban Renewal Authority (URA) today (Monday) announced new appointments to its four existing District Advisory Committees that reflect views and aspirations of the local community and provide advice on urban renewal concerns at the district level.

The appointments altogether comprise 61 people from different walks of life ranging from flat owners, tenants, district leaders and social workers to professionals, academics and businessmen.

The committees which were first set up in January 2002 cover Wan Chai, Central and Western, Yau Tsim Mong and Sham Shui Po districts where the URA has commenced most of its urban renewal projects. The committees are chaired by URA Board members, Miss Maria Tam, Mr. Barry Cheung, Mrs. Peggy Lam and Professor Cecilia Chan respectively so as to provide an effective communication link with the Board.

The main responsibility of the committees is to provide advice to the URA on issues relating to urban renewal, including redevelopment, preservation, revitalisation and rehabilitation, in the districts concerned. The appointments are for a renewal term of one year.

The Chairman of the URA, Mr. Edward Cheng, said: "District Advisory Committees have proved to be a very important and effective bridge of communication between us and the local community."

"Understanding the concerns and aspirations of the local community is an essential part of the URA's planning process. In this respect, the committees have been instrumental in helping us stay in touch with the pulse of the community as well as the realities of the districts," he said.

"Furthermore, the committees have helped us in fostering a better local understanding of the URA's policies, constraints and achievements. This is of particular importance when we bear in mind that the URA is a relatively young organisation and needs to establish a good mutual understanding with the local community," he said.

"The URA is therefore very grateful to the retiring members for their contributions," Mr. Cheng commended.

"We will set up more committees in other districts in future when we commence projects there," Mr. Cheng added.

Apart from holding regular meetings to provide advice to the URA, the committees will gather local views through various activities such as workshops and seminars involving a cross section of the local community.

2005 District Advisory Committee(DAC) Membership