Every year, Hong Kong's roads become more congested. As journeys take longer, travellers - be they in private cars, buses, taxis or minibuses - become more frustrated. And the health threat posed by traffic pollution continues to rise. What answers are there - More roads? A more comprehensive rail network? Fewer vehicles? Congestion charges? Higher fuel taxes? Or should the government be rethinking its urban planning policy to reduce population density in key areas such as Central and Admiralty, the Kowloon Peninsula and central Mid-levels?

Meeting structure

In the opening presentation, William Barron presents a case for looking at road transport in Hong Kong through the lens of urban planning in general and population density in particular. He highlights the issues thrown up by government plans to increase population densities in as the harbourfront, areas in Central slated for redevelopment by the Urban Renewal Authority and various parts of the Kowloon Peninsula.

The first of the panel sessions is spent considering the implications of these and other developments, asking what development plans are afoot and what their implications are for traffic flows and volume.

The second panel session concentrates on looking at solutions which could both help Hong Kong alleviate its traffic problems and increase the quality of life for its population in general.

Session A
Hong Kong's traffic predicament:
- Why are Hong Kong's roads becoming more crowded?
- What's driving current road-construction policy?
- How are urban planning and road building policies connected?
- Is enough attention being paid to issues such as population density?

Session B
New directions
- Is building more roads a good solution?
- If congestion charges work in London, why not apply them in Hong Kong?
- Should fuel and other vehicle taxes be increased?
- Can urban development strategies be rethought to reduce road congestion?

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