Environmental, Health and Safety Report 2003 / 04

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Performance Review
Estate Landscaping and Greening [Photo: Six trees for every 15 flats we built for creating green and healthy living space in our community.]

Green Space Creation

Slope Enhancement

Landscape Studies

Partnerships in Landscaping

Green Space Creation

[Photo: 2004 Flower Show: Two Dragons Compete for the Pearl.]
Greening the living environment for our residents has always been one of our key objectives in developing healthy and sustainable housing. We create green space within our "concrete jungle" city through open area provision in our estates for various landscape elements such as trees planting, landscape displays and theme gardens.

In 2003 / 04, we planted about 10 000 trees, 841 500 shrubs and 96 800 annual plants to provide more "city lungs". Of this planting, about 331 000 and 617 200 plants were allocated respectively to new and existing estates.

Through our landscape improvement we also upgraded the standard of existing landscape facilities in 18 selected estates covering 110 000 square metres and we greened a total of 6 000 square metres within 24 existing estates selected by the Estate Management Advisory Committee. While the planting works are very similar to last year's performance, year-on-year the ratio of trees planted (including slope areas) to flats built increased significantly from 1.7 to 6.8 trees per 15 flats.

The aesthetic appearance of the city lungs is equally important. Our experienced Horticulture Team designs, establishes and maintains landscape displays and theme gardens throughout our estates. In 2003 / 04, we established three theme gardens featuring rhododendron, bamboo and palm trees in three estates. To highlight our performance in landscape display, we are pleased to report that we won the Champion Award for Design Excellence in the Hong Kong Flower Show 2004.

Slope Enhancement

[Photo: Slope greening in Tung Tau Cottage Area site formation.]
[Photo: Slope greening in Lam Tin Estate.]
There are a considerable number of slopes within our estates. Some slopes are covered with shotcrete or other forms of hard surfacing, giving a rather hard appearance. Since 2000, we have been implementing enhanced design procedures to improve the appearance of newly formed and existing slopes in our estates.

Through various techniques such as hydro-seeding, planting and colour treatment, a total of 9 600 square metres of newly formed slopes and 10 existing slopes were greened in 2003 / 04.

Through the innovative design for one of our slope stabilization projects in Tung Tau Cottage Area, we were able to successfully retain the existing mature trees. While stabilizing the slope, we were able to provide open space for amenity use and reduce the extent of excavation and temporary shoring, thereby minimizing environmental impacts associated with the works.

Landscape Studies

[Photo: Landscape design in Lung Hang Estate.]
In addition to our ongoing greening programme, we reviewed the technical guide aiming at enhancing the greening measures in our estate master plans. As a result, we intend to issue a revised External Work Design Guide incorporating a series of initiatives to maximize greening opportunities in August 2004.

The Housing Authority (HA) has been developing innovative landscape designs that integrate with the existing landform and natural features. One outstanding example that combines innovative design with slope protection can be found on the slope beside Lung Tak Court, at the heart of Ma Hang Estate. The retaining wall design, with the shape and form of a 69-metre long dragon zigzagging along the slope, led to the Champion Award at the Best Landscaped Slope Awards organized by the Civil Engineering and Development Department, the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects and some other related professional bodies.

Partnerships in Landscaping

[Photo: Mr Lau Kai-hung, Deputy Director / Estate Management (1st from right) takes part in the Hong Kong Tree Planting Day in Wong Nai Uk, Tung Chung.]
We joined hands with other government departments, green groups, business partners and our residents to organize and participate in a wide variety of landscaping activities including landscape improvement work, tree planting events, landscape award schemes and flower shows.

This year's HA Flower Show was held on the podium of the Lok Fu Shopping Centre. Nearly 30 000 plants were on display.

We have organized tree planting days in five of our estates. These concerted efforts not only contributed to the overall greening of Hong Kong's urban landscape, but also raise awareness of the community at large on greening and environmental conservation.

Our greening events for the year ended with the Hong Kong Tree Planting Day held in Tung Chung on 28 March 2004. Thousands of people, including more than 450 tenants and students from nearby Fu Tung and Yat Tung Estates and members of the Housing Department's senior management were present to support the event.

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