【明報專訊】The Urban Renewal Authority (URA, 市區重建局) 's cost of acquiring (收購) 852 properties in To Kwa Wan for redevelopment hit a record high of ＄15,916 per square foot. It is often said that Hong Kong, a concrete jungle, is faced with a shortage of land, which has created formidable problems. To tackle the issues, not only should the authorities increase land supply, but they also need to address the matters by buffing up rundown areas.

Urban decay (市區老化) and building dilapidation (舊樓失修) are unavoidable. However, problems cannot be solved behind closed doors. Some local residents prefer revamping (翻新) the old buildings, as opposed to knocking them down and putting up high-rises. They are worried that the rapid redevelopment may erase the uniqueness of To Kwa Wan by eliminating small businesses and destroying the local community network. As the saying goes, government policies need to be people-oriented (以人為本) and strike a balance between preservation and economic development.

(Source: Ming Pao, House of To Kwa Wan Stories)

■English highway﹕as opposed to

We use "as opposed to" to emphasise a contrast between two things.

e.g. Oscar would prefer to go to school by bus, as opposed to MTR.

■Game １

Windows may fall off buildings without proper maintenance. Turn to the cover page and circle the windows that are about to come down.

■Game ２

The voices of the local residents are crucial to urban planning. Help the residents of To Kwa Wan to deliver their ideas to the URA.

(Answers on next text)

■Glossary

formidable (adj) 難對付的

knock down (phr v) 拆卸

high-rise (n) 高樓大廈

eliminate (v) 淘汰

[Smarties' Power English 第203期]