4.     MAPPING THE LANDSCAPES OF HONG KONG

 

In October 2001, we started a study on mapping the landscape resources of the whole territory. The study has taken into account the best of current practice in the USA, the UK and New Zealand. The study will answer two key questions:

• What are the landscape resources in Hong Kong?

• How do we assess these landscape resources?

By understanding what landscape resources we have, future Government policy can continue to ensure that Hong Kong has a landscape that we can all enjoy.

One of the products of the study will be a Landscape Map showing the location of all the different types of landscapes in Hong Kong. The map data will be collected by extensive field surveys and stored in a computer-based geographical information system. The map will provide valuable information for assessing landscape impacts of major development projects.

The first stage of the study was completed recently. It has produced some initial findings on the framework of landscape classification and evaluation. These findings are preliminary and will be reviewed as the study progresses.