IRIS TAM has suddenly resigned as managing director of the Urban Renewal Authority (URA). An email she has sent her URA colleagues says there are such "fundamental differences" between her and URA chairman Victor So in the understanding of the body's "philosophy, mission and direction" that she can no longer direct it to adhere to its mission. Iris Tam has made it clear what she expects of the URA. She believes the URA should put its social mission before profit considerations in selecting sites for redevelopment, helping owners rehabilitate their buildings and contributing towards heritage preservation and revitalisation.