Deputy Director of Housing (Development and Construction) Ms Ada Fung recounted the Housing Authority’s innovative measures in noise mitigation at a seminar held recently.

In her presentation, Ms Fung shared with the audience how the Housing Authority (HA) had addressed the problems when building public housing estates in sites with severe traffic noise. Apart from applying traditional methods, the HA has introduced various innovative noise mitigation measures, including special layout designs, acoustic balconies and acoustic windows. These initiatives have enabled the projects to be developed with the optimal number of flats.

The seminar, jointly organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects and the Hong Kong Institute of Acoustics on 19 October, provided an opportunity for over 100 construction practitioners and acoustic professionals to exchange views and share experience.

In recent years, the Housing Authority (HA) has vigorously incorporated green concepts into the design and construction of its public rental housing (PRH) estates. Attesting to its effort in this direction are the recently completed Yau Lai Estate Phase 5, Hung Hom Estate Phase 2, Shek Kip Mei Phases 2 and 5, as well as Tung Wui Estate.

Built on the Eastern Harbour Crossing site, Yau Lai Estate Phase 5 incorporates a host of green living features. To reduce heat and mitigate pollution, we have installed some nice-looking vertical green panels on the noise barrier along the estate boundary and on the façade of the domestic blocks. Green roofs have also been added to covered walkways and the plant rooms of the Carpark and Ancillary Facilities Block. These roofs are planted with a range of hardy but pretty species and are equipped with an automatic irrigation system utilising harvested rainwater.

Photovoltaic panels can be found on the roofs of the domestic blocks and entrance porticos to the estate. They are optimally orientated to catch sunlight and convert the energy into electricity for use in the public areas of the Carpark and Ancillary Facilities Block. Besides, we have installed in the corridors of the domestic blocks a mailbox type collection system which is connected directly with the Refuse Storage and Material Recovery Rooms, making it easy for residents to separate and dispose of waste for recycling.

Hung Hom Estate Phase 2 comes with several energy conservation installations, like photo-sensor lighting controls in communal areas and solar-powered outdoor lightings.

Part of the lighting system in the communal areas is installed with photo-sensors which will switch off the lights automatically when it detects that the environment is bright enough. There is also a solar-powered outdoor light which, apart from energy saving, helps the residents understand the application of renewable energy.

Making use of the findings of a micro-climate study, the layout of the six domestic blocks of Shek Kip Mei Phases 2 and 5 incorporates natural wind corridors to allow better air flow within the estate. Trees growing in the old Shek Kip Mei Estate have been preserved so that they can continue to thrive with the residents.

To save energy, a two-level lighting system has been installed at the lift lobbies and corridors of each domestic block. Residents in need can simply press a button to increase the illumination of that particular area.

Located in Wong Tai Sin, Tung Wui is a relatively small estate, but it boasts a range of green installations from a seedling nursery, solar-powered outdoor lightings, to an ecological garden with unique water features.

The simulated ecological garden provides a pleasant environment where residents can take a rest and relax. The garden is designed with ponds built on raised platforms, together with an elevated walkway overlooking the ponds. The flora and fauna species are selected to simulate the ecology of a natural waterway while the flowing water provides an aquatic cooling effect to reduce the ambient temperature.