What Hong Kong’s districts can learn from Sham Shui Po’s governance

Old, dense and diverse, Sham Shui Po exemplifies many practical challenges associated with grass-roots governance in Hong Kong: ageing buildings, narrow alleys, low-income households, elderly residents living alone and routine issues that demand constant attention. As an ancient maxim states: “Government means rectitude. If you set a righteous example, who will dare to act otherwise?”My extensive community work in Sham Shui Po has shown that political success at the grass-roots level is seldom defined by grand initiatives. Rather, it is evaluated on whether residents’ lives become safer, cleaner, healthier and more secure.President Xi Jinping has emphasised that delivering benefits to people is the greatest political achievement. At the district level, this view can be comprehended through three fundamental principles: providing tangible benefits to residents, persevering with long-term efforts and establishing collective, community-centred governance. These principles are particularly pertinent to Sham Shui Po and provide valuable lessons for other districts.At the neighbourhood level, minor yet persistent issues frequently hold greater significance for residents than large-scale initiatives. Matters such as building safety, environmental hygiene and support for the elderly serve as direct assessments of governance effectiveness.Hong Kong’s central agencies establish the policy and technical framework. For instance, the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau oversees district governance policies while specialised departments like the Buildings Department and the Food and environmental hygiene Department (FEHD) execute on-the-ground tasks.building safety is a critical concern in historic districts. Numerous older structures suffer from hazards such as obsolete wiring, obstructed emergency exits, water intrusion and inadequately maintained communal spaces. Effective governance extends beyond mere inspections; it necessitates risk assessment, consistent monitoring, meticulous record-keeping and pragmatic support for property owners and residents.