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The first public housing estate to adopt micro-climate studies in its design - the redevelopment of Upper Ngau Tau Kok Estate Phases 2 and 3 - will be completed next year. The studies will be introduced at the planning stage of all new housing estates in the future.
"Since 2004, we have incorporated micro-climate studies in the layout plans and building designs of public rental housing projects. We adopt computer simulation techniques to collect such data as wind speed, air flow, daylight penetration, traffic noise and pollutant dispersion of individual sites to work out the best disposition, location and orientation of individual estates," Director of Housing Mr Thomas Chan said today (July 16) at the regular open meeting of the Housing Authority.
He stressed that the authority had set stringent requirements in its building quality with an objective to provide tenants with a green and healthy living environment.
Mr Chan added that the policies and initiatives adopted by the authority in the construction, maintenance and management of public housing would not only contribute to the sustainability of Hong Kong, but also play an exemplary role for the industry.
Mr Chan pointed out that greening of housing estates was a major area of the authority's work. At the Eastern Harbour Crossing and Yau Tong development sites, greenery would be planted on rooftops or external walls of domestic blocks, shopping arcades and public facilities. These projects were scheduled to be completed by phases between 2008 and 2010.
For the existing housing estates, he said that major landscape improvement works were carried out in 18 estates each year by a dedicated Horticulture Team and the "Anti-mosquito Planting Strip" at Sun Chui Estate and the "Fruit Garden" at Tai Hing Estate were two examples. "The community project 'Green Action' allows the participation of public housing residents in nurturing plantlets for 14 housing estates to be completed in the next two years," he said.
Mr Chan said the authority also attached great importance to environmental hygiene. In 2005, the authority awarded the first Central Compactor System term contract for implementation in Mei Tin Estate in Sha Tin and Shek Kip Mei Phase I. The system compressed refuse for hygienic disposal and transportation. "As the results have been satisfactory, we intend to further enhance the system and have it widely adopted in all newly-completed housing estates," Mr Chan remarked.
He also revealed that the 'common W-trap drain pipe system' would be used in all new housing estates. The system was developed by the Housing Department in collaboration with a university in the wake of the SARS outbreak in 2003. Always filled with water, the device can help to stop the transmission of exhaust and bacteria through the drain pipes, thus prevent the spread of diseases. It will be first used in the Eastern Harbour Crossing Site Phase 3 housing estate scheduled for completion next year.
Apart from new designs, the authority has also adopted an environmentally-friendly procurement policy for its projects. "We specify the use of renewable, recyclable or environmentally-friendly building materials," Mr Chan said. These include softwood from sustainable sources for making the core of doors, fibre glass to make drying racks and shower curtain rails. Fibre glass-made shower trays, less paint decoration on handrails of staircases, parapets and walls are being considered for use in future.
"These materials are not necessarily less expensive than the conventional ones, but what they mean to the environment and the positive message they bring to the industry are far more important."
The authority is also proactive in promoting the use of renewable energy. "Solar-powered lamp posts will be appropriately installed in the landscape areas of all new housing estates. Mei Tin Estate in Sha Tin and Ching Ho Estate in Fanling completed last year were the first two estates equipped with such lamp posts and the results are satisfactory," Mr Chan said.
Moreover, a solar photovoltaic system will be installed on the roofs of some domestic blocks and walkway covers in the redevelopment project of Lam Tin Phases 7 and 8. The solar energy generated will supplement the power supply for some communal facilities. The project commenced last year was scheduled for completion in 2009.
"Apart from applying more environmentally-friendly designs in new housing estates, the authority will ensure that the common areas, buildings and in-flat facilities of the existing housing estates are properly maintained and repaired," he said.
The Total Maintenance Scheme, which was launched in February, 2006, to conduct inspections and arrange repairs and maintenance for more than 600 000 public rental housing flats in Hong Kong, has been well received by tenants.
Apart from providing hardware facilities, Mr Chan said that the Housing Department would continue its effort to improve the cleanliness of housing estates by changing tenants' habits through the Marking Scheme for Estate Management Enforcement.
According to the findings of the Public Housing Recurrent Survey 2007, up to 80% of the residents interviewed considered the Marking Scheme effective in improving the cleanliness of the housing estates, and 75% were satisfied with the hygiene condition of the public areas.
Responding to some of the views expressed by authority Members at the meeting held on June 14, Mr Chan said the Estate Management and Maintenance System replacing the existing one would become operational at the end of this year. Through the new system, tenants could handle tenancy-related matters and check the maintenance records of their flats, while Waiting List applicants could enquire about their application status.
"To cater for the needs of tenants, the authority will continue to provide appropriate shopping facilities in its new housing estates," Mr Chan said. A consultant has been appointed to study the development strategy for the suspended shopping arcade under construction in Yau Tong, which is a major retail development of the authority.
Also in today's meeting, Deputy Director of Housing (Development and Construction), Ms Ada Fung presented to HA members the Authorityˇ¦s first Sustainability Report. The report outlined the pledges and targets of the sustainability development of public housing, the authority's achievements in the respects of environment, social and economics over the past year, and its objectives for the coming year.
Ends/Monday, July 16, 2007
Issued at HKT 19:10
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