It is ironic that while, on the one hand, the government is pushing to build a mega cultural hub on 40 hectares of reclaimed land in West Kowloon, it is, on the other, preparing to tear down what has become a cultural heritage of tens of thousands of people, a community worker said Sunday.

Sin Wai-fong was referring to the Urban Renewal Authority's latest project in Wan Chai for which the government is prepared to tear apart Lee Tung Street - better known as ``Wedding Card Street.''

According to long-time resident Ng Kam-chiu, the street was the original home of Hong Kong's publishing industry.

``Wan Chai is one of the oldest districts and Lee Tung Street is where the publishing business in Hong Kong began,'' the 58-year-old said.

Over the past 30 years, tens of thousands of couples had visited the shops there to order their wedding cards, name cards and Chinese traditional calendars.

However, this landmark is destined for the wrecker's ball. In 2003 the URA announced it would spend HK$3.58 billion to redevelop Lee Tung and McGregor streets, an area covering 8,900 square meters - the largest and most expensive project the authority has undertaken.

According to an authority spokesman, up to the end of June, more than 85 percent of the 647 affected homeowners on Lee Tung Street had agreed to accept compensation offers of HK$4,079 per square foot. The purchase of the land is expected to be completed early next year.

In a bid to conserve the historical uniqueness of Lee Tung Street, some residents formed the ``H15 Concern Group'' in 2002, using the ``H15'' marking in the renewal map.

Sin is one of those involved in the group.

After two years of preparation, the group in February proposed a ``people-oriented redevelopment plan'' to the Town Planning Board.

Although it was turned down because, the board said, it failed to include a transport and environmental assessment, the group did not give up. It raised about HK$150,000 to prepare an improved version of the plan which was submitted to the board last month and is due to be reviewed July 22.

``We hope the Town Planning Board will listen to us this time. Although we're not planning experts, we know our community's needs,'' Ng said.

Apart from a couple of protests against the renewal plan, the concern group had organized weekly meetings to discuss the issue and held 60 conferences and 12 residents' workshops with up to 300 attending each time. It also has its own Web site to publicize discussions about the renewal plan.

Cultural affairs commentator Leung Man-to said the group represented an unprecedented and genuine people's movement.

The purpose of making this ``unprecedented'' proposal, according to Ng, is to keep Lee Tung Street as it is without having to justify its existence in market economy terms.

``In the good old days, we were one happy family and we chatted and laughed among ourselves. Now we are being split up and sent to different parts of Hong Kong,'' Ng said. ``It's so sad to see our unique publishing industry being torn to pieces.''

The URA official Web site says the renewal strategy includes a ``people-centered'' approach.

It also stresses the authority should preserve buildings, sites and structures of historical, cultural or architectural interest, and the social networks of the local community. However, Ng says this is just an ``empty claim.''

``What they [the URA] have said is different from what they have done as they are more concerned about money than people,'' Ng said. ``They're not practicing a people-oriented approach but a money-oriented one.''

Responding to the criticism, a URA spokesman said the authority will consider any ``feasible possibility.'' ``We'll look at their ideas alongside those of the winners of the 2004 URA development concept competition.''

The five winning architectural and planning firms are Development Professionals Limited, MCAA Limited, Philip Liao & Partner Limited, Urban Design & Planning Consultants Limited and WMKY Limited.

Christopher Law, a leading architect specializing in urban planning, said it takes years to cultivate a cultural heritage.

``It's very dangerous as Hong Kong will lose its identity if its cultural heritage is destroyed. The current renewal project on Lee Tung Street is breaking down the community network as well as the economic network,'' Law said.

Sin added that the renewal project will also break down the ``soul'' of a community.

``The residents don't need any huge malls in Wan Chai as both Times Square [in Causeway Bay] and Pacific Place [in Admiralty] are nearby. The residents prefer the community's character to be preserved.'' Sin said.

Echoing Sin's views, Wan Chai District Council member Bonson Lee said: ``The dynamic character of Hong Kong lies in its diversity and tolerance. Wan Chai is a miniature of Hong Kong. The standardized shopping malls and mega towers cannot replace the small and varied outlets which give Wan Chai its distinctive character.''

Lee said the urban renewal plan should cater to the needs and the customs of local residents, otherwise no one will benefit.

One example of a poor renewal project is Wan Chai Market at the junction of Queen's Road East and Wan Chai Road. Since stall operators are not used to renewed design, many have refused to move in and a number of stalls on the upper floors remain empty, Lee said.

This case exposes the lack of understanding between the planners and the residents, Lee added.

``The renewal might turn into a process of eliminating our choices without sufficient consultation.''

chester.yung@singtaonewscorp.com