************************************************************
The Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, today (November 14) visited Tsz Ching Estate in Tsz Wan Shan to learn more about the Housing Department's initiatives in building green and environmentally friendly housing estates.
The Chief Executive was pleased to note that since 2004, a series of green initiatives have been in place to optimise greening opportunities in housing developments. These include maximising planting on slopes and associated areas, planting on vertical and horizontal surfaces and walls and rooftops of small or single-storey structures, and creating tree-lined avenues and amenity planting strips along the pavements of estate roads.
"I am happy to see that as a provider of housing for one third of the population in Hong Kong, the Housing Authority (HA) and the Housing Department have taken the lead in applying green concepts to their construction and management of public housing estates to improve the living environment of tenants," Mr Tsang said.
Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary for Transport and Housing (Housing), Mr Thomas Chan, the Chief Executive inspected the operation of a bio-technological deodorising system installed in the refuse collection room of Tsz Ching Estate.
It is a comprehensive system specifically designed to solve indoor air quality and odour problems. The system capitalises on a biological agent to remove hazardous and odorous pollutants in the air.
Brought in by the HA in 2003, the systems have been installed at refuse collection rooms of 57 housing estates.
Mr Tsang then proceeded to the top floor of Ching Yi House where he was briefed on the energy saving measures and devices implemented in the block. These include rearranging lighting circuits, installing photocells and adjusting illumination times to tie in with the change of seasons.
Mr Tsang was told that all housing projects are designed according to the Building Energy Codes issued by the Electrical and Mechanical Services Department. For a typical housing block, about 6% of electricity consumption can be saved each year.
The Chief Executive was also shown the three-coloured recycling bins placed in the lobby of each public housing block to educate public housing tenants on waste recycling at source.
On his last stop, Mr Tsang visited the Green Corner of Tsz Ching Estate where the HA has allocated a small area of land to provide 17 plots to its tenants and nearby primary schools for promoting green activities and planting of fruits and vegetables.
The Chief Executive was pleased to note that through participating in the planting activities, tenants' knowledge of horticulture and their sense of belonging to the estate have been enhanced.
"Environmental protection is on top of our priorities. The green initiatives mark our commitment to incorporate green ideas into our daily life," Mr Tsang said.
During the visit today, apart from meeting management staff, Mr Tsang also met with staff of various grades of the department to get to know more about their challenges at work.
Ends/Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Issued at HKT 17:19
NNNN
