PM2.5 chemical composition in Hong Kong: urban and regional variations

Chemically speciated PM2.5 measurements were made at roadside, urban, and rural background sites in Hong Kong for 1 year during 2000/2001 to determine the spatial and temporal variations of PM2.5 mass and chemical composition in this highly populated region. Annual average PM2.5 concentrations at the urban and rural sites were 34.1 and 23.7 microg m(-3), respectively, approximately 50-100% higher than the United States' annual average National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) of 15 microg m(-3). Daily PM2.5 concentrations exceeded the U.S. 24-h NAAQS of 65 microg m(-3) on 19 days, reaching 131+/-8 microg m(-3) at the roadside site on 02/28/2001. Carbonaceous aerosol is the largest contributor to PM2.5 mass (explaining 52-75% of PM2.5 mass at the two urban sites and 32% at the background site), followed by ammonium sulfate (ranging from 23% to 37% at the two urban sites and 51% at the background site). Ammonium sulfate and crustal concentrations showed more uniform spatial distributions, while the largest urban-rural contrasts found in carbonaceous aerosol (likely due to emissions from on-road gasoline and diesel vehicles). Marine influences accounted for 7% of the mass at the background site (more than twice as much as at the two urban sites). Ternary diagrams are utilized to illustrate the different spatial patterns.     

Metal contamination in urban, suburban, and country park soils of Hong Kong: a study based on GIS and multivariate statistics

The urban environment quality is of vital importance as the majority of people now live in cities. Due to the continuous urbanisation and industrialisation in many parts of the world, metals are continuously emitted into the terrestrial environment and pose a great threat on human health. An extensive survey was conducted in the highly urbanised and commercialised Hong Kong Island area (80.3 km2) of Hong Kong using a systematic sampling strategy of five soil samples per km2 in urban areas and two samples per km2 in the suburban and country park sites (0-15 cm). The analytical results indicated that the surface soils in urban and suburban areas are enriched with metals, such as Cu, Pb, and Zn. The Pb concentration in the urban soils was found to exceed the Dutch target value. The statistical analyses using principal component analysis (PCA) and cluster analysis (CA) showed distinctly different associations among trace metals and the major elements (Al, Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn) in the urban, suburban, and country park soils. Soil pollution maps of trace metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn) in the surface soils were produced based on geographical information system (GIS) technology. The hot-spot areas of metal contamination were mainly concentrated in the northern and western parts of Hong Kong Island, and closely related to high traffic conditions. The Pb isotopic composition of the urban, suburban, and country park soils showed that vehicular emissions were the major anthropogenic sources for Pb. The 206Pb/207Pb and 208Pb/207Pb ratios in soils decreased as Pb concentrations increased in a polynomial line (degree=2).     

香港的城市规划体系

由于土地资源匮乏 ,加上历史和政治原因 ,香港是一个与众不同的城市地区。从历史回顾、规划法规体系、行政体系和运作体系等方面评述了香港的城市规划体系。     

The effect of Pb reduction in petrol on the Pb content of kerbside dust in Hong Kong

Before 1981, Pb in petrol in Hong Kong averaged about 0.84 g/l. Then the Pb level was stepwisely reduced and by early 1987, it was at 0.25 g/l. The effect of Pb reduction in petrol on the roadside environment was assessed by comparing the Pb content in kerbside dust samples (extracted by hot 3.5 M NO₃ and analysed by flame AAS) taken in Nov 77–Jan 78 and in Jan 1987 from 37 sites which covered a wide range of traffic density. The arithmetic mean Pb levels for the 1977–1978 and 1987 samples were 3280 and 1080 μg/g respectively and their difference was highly significant (P = 0.0005, paired t-test). Parallel studies on the levels of Cu, Zn and Mn in the two batches of samples showed no significant changes. Thus Pb reduction in petrol has drastically lowered the metal's contamination in the roadside environment in Hong Kong.     

Nocturnal heat island effect in urban residential developments of Hong Kong

In hot humid climate, mitigating summer time nocturnal Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect is important in order to reduce the space-conditioning cost. Case studies of Belchers, Wah Fu-1 and -2 reveal the maximum nocturnal UHI in the order of 1.3 °C within an estate, and 0.4 °C between estates. The variables such as surface albedo, height-to-floor area ratio, sky view factor (SVF) and altitude are capable of explaining the nocturnal UHI in the case study areas with an explanatory power of 0.8. Although, during summer, the nocturnal UHI intensity is low relative to daytime UHI, thermal distress is high in night especially in Wah Fu-1 and -2. The paper will discuss the influence of the design variables on nocturnal UHI and its significance in relation to daytime UHI in the case study areas.     

高密度城市中心区的交通策略——以香港城市中心区为例

香港是土地资源少、人口密度大的代表城市,面对城市中心区高密度的发展环境,香港采取一系列措施以解决交通问题,并取得了成效。     

Daytime urban heat island effect in high-rise and high-density residential developments in Hong Kong

Nearly 60% of electrical energy use in Hong Kong is for space conditioning during summer months. The paper investigates the impact of design-related variables on outdoor micro level daytime heat island effect in residential developments in Hong Kong. The paper hypothesizes that the differences in outdoor temperatures within and between residential developments can be explained by the impact of design-related variables on the overall environment. Case studies of three large housing estates reveal urban heat island effect (UHI) in the order of 1.5 °C within an estate, and 1.0 °C between estates. The results indicate that energy efficient designs can be achieved by manipulating surface albedo, sky view factor and total height to floor area ratio (building massing) while maximizing cross ventilation.     

Aggregates in Hong Kong

In Sweden, studded tyres cause considerable wear on road surfacings. The properties of aggregates are known to be of importance, but lack of experience with road conditions has prevented relevant specifications. The performance of nine aggregates—in a single surface dressing—has been studied by means of small test surfacings in road E4. The flakiness of two of the aggregates was varied, too. The change of the texture depth was determined with the aid of a laser profilometer and sand-patch measurements. The former is considered to give more reliable results. After two years in service, the test surfaces have been rated by an expert panel and aggregate samples have been removed from the road after heating the binder. The changes in grading and flakiness have been analyzed. The macrosurface depths after two years and the changes of that property, not considering the first summers change, because of particle orientation and embedment going on, correlates well with the Swedish aggregate abrasion value. Also, the flakiness of the worn aggregates and reduction of that property in the road, due to traffic wear, correlate. The aggregate impact value does not correlate. However, a fair relationship exists with the aggregate crushing in the road. Obviously, most of these particles, that have been crushed by traffic stresses, can go on functioning in the surface dressing. The condition is, however, that a proper aggregate-binder adhesion exists. The aggregate flakiness is also of importance mainly as it determines the “particle layer height” of the road surfacing. A lack in the abrasion property of an aggregate can partly be compensated by improving the flakiness.     

Adaptive reuse of traditional Chinese shophouses in government-led urban renewal projects in Hong Kong

Conservationists and government authorities acknowledge that adaptive reuse of historic buildings contributes to urban sustainability. Traditional Chinese shophouses are a major historic building typology found in the old districts of Asian cities. In Hong Kong, the few remaining shophouses are generally deteriorating and are increasingly under threat of demolition for urban renewal. However, adaptive reuse of these buildings has created many social concerns. In light of these concerns, evaluating adaptive reuse potential needs to incorporate a much broader sustainability framework than simply physical building conditions. This study examines the extent to which obsolescence, heritage value and redevelopment pressures have affected the adaptive reuse of shophouse intervention in government-led urban renewal projects. Interestingly, the results based on adaptive reuse potential find no consistent relationships among the adaptive reuse actions of eight cases in urban renewal districts of Hong Kong. Instead, the question of revitalizing shophouses is determined by whether they are within an urban renewal redevelopment plan. This study further explores the broader urban sustainability framework reflected in eight case studies of shophouse revitalization in three renewal districts. It includes a qualitative synthesis of the social, environmental, economic, and political considerations contributing to the adaptive reuse of shophouses in urban renewal.     

Management contracting in Hong Kong

Despite technological advancement in building techniques, new construction tools, equipment, and plant, and a greater variety and better quality of construction materials, the construction industry is generally regarded as one making slow progress in productivity. Here the potential of management contracting as a contracting method is considered in depth. Analysis includes assessment of its fundamental features, cost-benefit analysis and practical applications. The feasibility of its adoption in Hong Kong is evaluated.     

香港基建新体验——香港规划及基建展览馆

位于中环爱丁堡广场三号，香港规划及基建展览馆尝试以崭新的方法传递迅息及营造多媒体经验。     

Studies on the respiratory health of primary school children in urban communities of Hong Kong

The first stage of a 2-year survey of respiratory morbidity in primary school children was conducted in two districts of Hong Kong in April/May 1989. One group (2009) of children was from Kwai Tsing District, which had high levels of exhaust emission from factories. The other group (1837) was from Southern District where atmospheric pollution was considered to be relatively low. After adjustment for gender, age, socioeconomic factors, child smoking and exposure to parental smoking, the prevalence ratios of sore throat, evening cough, cough for more than 3 months, morning phlegm and wheezing were found to be significantly higher in Kwai Tsing. The difference between the districts is likely to be related to the environmental air quality. The study, which is continuing, will provide the basis for an evaluation of the impact of new low sulphur fuel regulations introduced in July 1990.     

香港DJS缀饰店

“琢面”之美 “缀饰”为中艺（香港）有限公司旗下新的钻石、翡翠品牌。“缀饰”的品牌塑造以本地市场中产阶层的顾客为对象，期望为他们缔造全新购物体验。     

Customization of GBTool in Hong Kong

In Hong Kong, there has been increasing public demand for developers to pay greater attention to the development of sustainable buildings. A creditable assessment scheme that provides targets and methods and recognition of the efforts that are made in this direction is considered to be an effective way to achieve the goal of construction sustainability. GBTool is by far the most comprehensive building environmental assessment framework and has been developed over the past 6 years through the efforts of 21 national teams. This study aims to address the customization of GBTool as a scheme to assist in the development of more sustainable buildings in Hong Kong. The general principle of triangulation is adopted in the customization process and the initiatives of the Hong Kong government and of voluntary bodies are reviewed. The gaps between the Hong Kong situation and the philosophy of GBTool are identified and a questionnaire survey and a series of in-depth interviews to elicit the attitudes of the parties involved toward the inclusion of additional issues into the customized scheme are conducted. The correlation of several major issues and the weightings across issues and criteria are identified. The results form a good basis for the development of a building sustainability assessment scheme for Hong Kong.     

Implications of Density in Hong Kong

The Colony of Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated territories in the world. Over-all density is 13 persons per gross acre, and individual neighborhoods exceed 2,800. Residential floor space averages 155 square feet per household or 32 square feet per occupant. Unlike congested areas in the United States, however, Hong Kong has relatively low death, disease, and social disorganization rates. These data suggest that density standards recommended by American planners may be unrealistic as requirements for public health and social welfare.     

Political economy and urban planning: a comparative study of Hong Kong,Singapore and Taiwan

This study compares urban planning mechanisms that operate within Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan. The political economy of Hong Kong is in a state of flux. While the power of the government and the corporate interests remain largely intact, they are challenged by pro-China interests and a democratizing civil society. The land use planning system reflects this power contest. In face of both strong resistance from the development industry and China's eagerness to perpetuate a market-led society in post-1997 Hong Kong, the outcome of the power contest remains uncertain. The state-centred political economy of Singapore has bred a top–down land use planning system centrally controlled by the government. Not only has the government dominated the plan making process, the legislation has entrusted the public sector to scrutinize and guide private development through a discretionary development control system. The government is able to mobilize resources to implement plans with the tacit consent of a regulated and meritocracy-based society. In contrast, Taiwan's multi-layered government structure and its complicated relationships with business interests (`gold-power' alliance) within a cultural milieu with scant respect for rules and regulations, have produced a complex and yet loosely coordinated land use planning system. The Urban Planning Law emphasizes plan making and implementation by the public sector at the district level, but local authorities lack resources to implement plans. The regulatory development control system, to a large extent, is abused by the community and land use zoning is not taken seriously in general. As plan amendments can be made behind closed doors, the `gold-power' alliance has tried to rezone land for speculative purposes. The impact of the recent democratization process on the society's legal attitudes and the roles of planning in urban governance in Taiwan remains to be seen.     

港岛城市剖面

文章借用建筑学上的剖面概念,将其应用到城市尺度的形态分析和空间解读上。作者选取香港中环地区的中环至半山由自动扶梯系统覆盖的城市区域,作为诠释这一概念的具体案例。建筑剖面的传统意义被移植至城市剖面中,即在某一方向上剖切实体之后,通过观察剖切面上空间元素之间的关系,探寻彼此的内在结构,乃至这种城市结构空间背后的特殊历史过程和社会推力。香港岛的地理特征和100多年来城市化过程所形成的带状城市分布使得港岛具有剖面性格,而中环至半山的自动扶梯系统提供了一条重要的剖切线索。通过剖面方法解析,作者希望在城市形态学的分析方法上有新的突破。     

香港消防船只简介

香港消防目前共有8艘灭火轮船,以一至八号编排名。其中,一号船“精英号”为灭火轮旗舰,因而获得命名;六号船“卓越号”于2005年入役,接替原六号灭火轮,负责青衣岛水域的海事任务。因“卓越号”船身大小与“精英号”相近,设备性能超出“精英号”,亦获得命名(该灭火轮已在本刊2006年第3期做了介绍)。其余6艘灭火轮只有舷号,未命名。此外,除8艘灭火轮外,香港消防还有数艘辅助船只,以保证为香港水域提供可靠的救援服务。图1一号灭火轮(精英号)1一号灭火轮(精英号)该灭火轮建造于2001年,由香港宏德机器铁工厂有限公司制造,船长42·5m,宽9·6m,吃…