We are always seeking ways for the community to learn more about the concept behind Hong Kong’s town planning and the work of the Planning Department (PlanD), so that people can better understand the future development of Hong Kong. You may be familiar with the Plan D’s exhibition at the City Gallery next to City Hall Lower Block, which is themed on local planning and infrastructure development and has been patronised by many local people, overseas visitors and political dignitaries. The PlanD has also launched an Outreach Programme that sends colleagues to visit different districts and secondary schools and holds exhibitions to explain town planning issues and the Hong Kong’s latest development projects.

You may have noticed an eye-catching yellow mobile exhibition vehicle on the street before, which is in fact part of the PlanD’s Outreach Programme. The mobile exhibition vehicle is equipped with touch-screen computers and plasma monitors to provide a variety of planning information. It forms part of the Outreach Programme, which was launched by the PlanD in 1996 to help the community, particularly the younger generation, to understand Hong Kong’s town planning and allow them to participate in the process and work of planning.

The mobile exhibition car will enter school and college campuses, if possible, to stage exhibitions and provide planning information. Town planners of the PlanD will also visit schools upon invitation to explain to students a wide range of town planning issues, under titles such as General Town Planning Concepts and Practices, Urban Design in Hong Kong, Hong Kong 2030: Planning Vision and Strategy, A New Planning Vision for Kai Tak, Planning for North East New Territories New Development Area, as well as the application of information technology in planning. In addition, our colleagues will actively respond to teachers’ recommendations and tailor information and topics to cater for individual curriculum needs and students’ interests.

According to our PlanD colleagues, teachers generally find the exhibitions informative and comprehensive. Not only do they suit their curriculum, they are also very helpful to students’ learning as they cover current town planning issues. Some teachers even take the initiative to share their views on the Outreach Programme to help us make it more interesting and suitable for their teaching needs. Most teachers welcome the Outreach Programme and say they will encourage students to attend and support the PlanD’s outreach activities to learn more about Hong Kong’s town planning and future.

At times, there are heartwarming occasions at these exhibitions held at schools. Some town planners, for instance, find it feels like a homecoming to return to their alma maters to speak at seminars and share their work experience with their junior fellows.

Apart from visiting schools, the mobile exhibition vehicle stages exhibitions at various public venues and public housing estates to reach out to those living in remote areas and those who have mobility problems. Every year, the PlanD holds roving exhibitions at shopping malls in various districts to promote the concept of town planning in Hong Kong and the work of the PlanD to the public. Members of the public can gain a better understanding by viewing the planning information and the briefs of planning studies in the exhibitions. At the same time children can enjoy computer games and drawing activities, or take pictures with the cartoon characters in the photo area. Our on-site PlanD colleagues are more than happy to provide and explain the planning information.

In recent years, the PlanD has visited about 40 secondary schools and 30 public venues every year and organised roving exhibitions in several shopping malls, attracting a total of over 40,000 visitors on average. Judging from this response, the Outreach Programme has been well-received by the public. Colleagues of the PlanD will continue to work hard to offer the public more chances and channels to learn about Hong Kong’s town planning and future development. Next time, if you bump into PlanD’s mobile exhibition vehicle on the street, feel free to go inside and enjoy the exhibition.