"Hong Kong PolyU students have completed an in-depth study into the social impact of the government's proposals for the development of the ex-quarry on Lamma and found the the logic and thinking of the government's proposals to be problematic.
The report calls on government to re-examine the proposals and concludes, "Lamma Island is a treasurable living place in Hong Kong as well as a national treasure…. Every place needs development to make it better. But perfunctory planning could be a destructive disaster rather than a constructive development."
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I'm reading through this 83-page report with interviews, questionnaires, plus many additional Lamma maps and stats right now and will publish some excerpts here and in the Lamma-zine soon.
What caught my eye first is the detailed 2011 Govt. census data for all of Lamma. This data should settle many an argument with your friends and provides fascinating insights into Lamma's population.
For example, only
15% of Lamma's 6,013 population is white,
less than 1,000 white people living on the entire island, including the significant number of white people NOT living in the Greater Yung Shue Wan area!
And there are almost as many Filipinos and Indonesians living here as white people.
"Population & Languages
Demographic structure is always important for the one who is eager to know more population distribution and development. The 2011 Population Census provides us with some indications but not all. The Census only contains the population information of Lamma Island together with Po Toi Area, not the solely the Lamma Island. Po Toi Area consists of some small islands with around 100 residents. The following statistics we indicate are based on the data provided by Census & Statistics Department. According to the Census conducted in 2011, around 4,100 of residents are Chinese, whereas the rest of the residents are non-Chinese, such as people from the US, Philippines and Indonesia etc.
From the above, it revealed that people on Lamma Island come from different countries and speak in various languages. The following table shows the languages used in Lamma Island together with Po Toi area.
Cantonese is the most common language on Lamma Island. English ranks as the second. The percentages of the other languages are just a little part of total population. However, this table does not show the second language that the residents could use for communication, such as the people who use Cantonese in general but they could speak English very well. We observed in Lamma that even though some local people in the Island who are Chinese but they still could communicate with English-speakers fluently. From the data and field observation, Lamma Island is a place with various cultures and languages as the residents are from different countries. Even so, they are living in this community to pursuit their own lifestyles harmoniously. English-speakers can continue to live in there and use English for communication in their daily lives. This is important for this multi-cultural community as people have their choices to remain their own lifestyles."
For more info on Lamma's age groups, income, education, housing, labour force, crime rate, cultural diversity,... read from page 20 of the students' report:
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Conclusion
"Lamma Island is treasurable living place in Hong Kong as well as a natural treasure. After finishing the rock extraction and rehabilitation program, the Ex-Lamma Quarry site still could became an adorable place to offer vigorous bio-diversification and marvelous scenery to Hong Kong citizens. Lamma Island becomes so unique because of the vital ex-quarry site and local community. During the Social Impact Assessment, we experienced the helpfulness of the local residents and strong connection among the community with milk of human kindness. Everyone hopes this kind of community can be maintained and becomes better.
Every place needs development to make it better. But perfunctory planning could be a destructive disaster rather than a constructive development. Some leaders made continual mistakes because they stuck to their individual ideas. Top-down development approach is out of accord with the times as well. Instead, what we need is a public-oriented approach.
To investigate the most appropriate development, we should start from the bottom. By reviewing data, existing conditions of Lamma Island, opinion sought from experts and evaluating the needs of local residents, we concluded the possible social impacts and projected the change of the Lamma Island in the scenarios, with and without the launching of the government proposed development. By comparing the government options with the aspirations of local residents, we know the discrepancy them. From the aspirations of the local residents and expert opinions, we concluded the strategy for possible development in future.
Actually, local community wants sustainable living environment to preserve the treasurable Lamma Island for the next generation come first. Moreover, good communal transportation, serene living environment and sufficient social resources support are crucial to maintain quality of life. Further more, sense of community ownership is key to hold the residents together and strive for well-being for community as a whole. Last but not the least, any possible potential development should be social value added to local community and Hong Kong society."
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