In 1887, a system of partial elections was established, allowing selected individuals to vote for members of the Board.

On 1 March 1935, the Sanitary Board was reconstituted to carry out the work which remained much the same until the Second World War broke out.

In 1973, the electoral franchise was widened to residents above 21 years of age who have lived in Hong Kong for at least three years that qualified in at least one of 23 specified categories, which included educational qualifications (School Certificate Examination or equivalent), be a juror, salaried taxpayer, or a member of certain professional organisations as listed in Schedule 1 of the Urban Council Ordinance (Cap.

[8] Prominent elected Urban Councilors included Elsie Tu and Brook Bernacchi of the Reform Club.

The size of the Urban Council is as follows:[9] The electorate and turnout of selected Urban Council elections before the expansion of electoral franchise is as follows:[10] The Green Paper: A Pattern of District Administration in Hong Kong was published on 6 June 1980 for public consultations on reforming local administration in Hong Kong.

The Urban Council played a significant role in the artistic and cultural development of Hong Kong.

We aim to do so at the professional level so that gifted Hong Kong citizens can develop their artistic potential.

We also aim to make available to all members of the community a wide range of artistic performance for their enjoyment and appreciation.

And in the not too distant future we hope to see Hong Kong recognised as a major international centre of the performing arts."

The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra was established in 1977, under direct financial support and management by the Urban Council.

It aims to promote and raise the standards of the theatrical "stage play" drama in Cantonese in the territory with professional actors, directors, playwrights, administration, training and production.

The Hong Kong Dance Company was established in May 1981, and was at one time directly administered by the Urban Council.

The Council operated sports grounds, parks, indoor games halls, and public swimming pools.

It operated refuse collection points, public toilets and bathhouses, and was responsible for rubbish bins throughout the urban area.

[17] Likewise, the pre-handover government opposed China's decision to disband the two councils and the 18 district boards, and to reintroduce appointed seats, which had been abolished under democratic reforms.

[19] Three bills re-introducing appointed seats to the post-Handover municipal councils and district boards were passed by the provisional legislature on 7 June 1997.

[20] Frederick Fung, chairman of the ADPL, called the bills a "retrogression of democracy" while Chan Kam-lam of the pro-Beijing DAB claimed that "elections were divisive and appointments would stabilise the community".

Within days of the dissolution of the Urban Council, its distinctive symbol was systematically removed from public sight, such as by pasting over it with paper on all litter bins and information boards.

[24] The archives of the two municipal councils are held by the Hong Kong Public Libraries, and are available online in digitised form.