Sham Shui Po is an old district and was aleady densely populated back in the 1950s and 1960s. Probably it is also Hong Kong's earliest industrial and commercial centre.

With a large number of shops and narrow streets, the district is facing the problems of environmental pollution, noise nuisance and road obstruction. The recent widespread use of "Easy Stand" and advertising vehicles not only has caused road congestion, but also has given rise to much concern about hazards to road users.

To engage different stakeholders in street management, Sham Shui Po District (SSPODIST) initiated a Street Management Scheme (SMS), which adopts a multi-agency approach instead of solely relying on stringent enforcement action. It is hoped that shopkeepers in the district would co-operate with government departments to address the problems.

With the full support of the Shamshuipo District Council (SSPDC), the SMS, jointly organised by SSPODIST, Shamshuipo District Office, Food and Environmental Hygiene Department, Environmental Protection Department, Lands Department and Transport Department, aims at promoting a sense of social responsibility in the district. By introducing a "Shopkeepers' Charter", it is hoped that shopkeepers would be aware of the importance of keeping the streets clean and preventing street obstruction to minimise inconvenience caused to the public and improve the environment, thus creating a win-win situation for both shops and residents.

Shopkeepers joining the SMS are issued with the "Shopkeepers' Charter" which carries specific duties and rights, and it is hoped they would discharge the following duties: