Statutory zoning and the environment : A Hong Kong empirical analysis of the direct effect of zoning on the environment and the potential contribution of planning conditions to sustainable development

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a hypothesis for evaluating the potential contribution of planning conditions to protect the environment by reducing environmental complaints (ECs) in an institutional context of growing communicative planning and interpret the results of an empirical study using two received hypotheses in terms of sustainable development in the light of the actual participation of the public in influencing the formulation of planning conditions. Design/methodology/approach – The hypothesis is tested using Environmental Protection Department EC and Planning Department zoning data. In addition, field observation of the conduct the Town Planning Board in their open sessions is made over a period of 27 months. Findings – The hypothesis about the frequency of planning permissions and the incidence of ECs using the “received” model of Lai is refuted. The results for testing Lai's model on the relationship between Comprehensive Development Area zoning and ECs are indecisive. Though a negative correlation between zoning and complaints is established, the strength of such correlation is insignificant for each of the specified periods. Research limitations/implications – The promise of communicative theorists about empowering the public in planning has yet to be fulfilled in terms of contribution to the shaping of planning conditions. Official suppression of addresses of locations of the occurrence of ECs does not allow the ideal hypothesis to be tested. Practical implications – Subject to further and better qualitative research, the limitations of the new public participation law in planning for shaping planning conditions are revealed by an examination of observed facts about the time spent by the Town Planning Board in decision making and the nature of the planning conditions imposed in response to public comments. Originality/value – The paper demonstrates an approach to evaluate the direct means of measuring the relationship between externalities and zoning with a view to interpret the contribution of planning conditions to sustainable development.