Public landfill and incineration action in Hong Kong : foundations, forms and scope of civic engagement

Abstract

This project examines the foundations, forms and scope of civic engagement strategies adopted by the HKSAR Government from 2012 to 2015 for promoting a waste management policy package, featuring four respective projects -- (i) the proposed development of an integrated waste management facilities (IWMF); and the extension of (ii) North East New Territories Landfill in Ta Kwu Ling; (iii) South East New Territories Landfill in Tseung Kwan O; and (iv) West New Territories Landfill in Tuen Mun.

In Chapter 2 of this project, an analytical framework is established for looking into the roots of civic engagement from good governance, foundations, forms and scope of civic engagement, and criteria for evaluating the successfulness and effectiveness of civic engagement. With reference to the degree of inclusiveness, level of engagement and mode of communication derived from Sherry Arstein’s “Ladder of Citizen Participation”, the International Association for Public Participation’s “Spectrum of Public Participation” and Archon Fung’s “Democracy Cube”, a “3-Dimensional Model” is developed for evaluating the effectiveness, legitimacy and justice of a civic engagement exercise.

In Chapter 3, the modes of governance adopted in Hong Kong during the colonial era and after the handover in 1997 are reviewed. The history of landfill development and proposed construction of the IWMF, as well as the civic engagement strategies adopted to enhance the decision-making capacity, legitimacy and governance are also covered in the chapter.

Based on the analytical framework in Chapter 2, Chapter 4 analyses and compares the forms and scope of civic engagement adopted before and after the Legislative Council’s vote-down of the policy package in July 2013. Such comparison aims at shedding light on the significance of different civic engagement strategies, and contributing to suggestions for more comprehensive and effective civic engagement exercises in the future.

Finally, Chapter 5 concludes the key lessons learnt from the case study, and provides recommendations on the foundation, forms and scope of civic engagement for public policies and projects in the future.