Experience of Landslide Prevention for Sustainable Development in Hong Kong

Abstract

Landslides are the severest geohazards during heavy rainfall in Hong Kong since the urban development and infrastructure are basically built on hillside slopes of 20 to 50 degrees. Researchers and engineers have done tremendous work for sustainable development in Hong Kong by preventing the geohazards, which can be demonstrated by nine experience below. 1) Methods and standards for geohazard reduction and safety can be established and executed smoothly in the society on the basis of scientific principles and engineering methodologies. 2) Governance and authority can be developed and established in the society for reducing landslide hazards and saving life. 3) A strong team of slope safety specialists and experts can be educated and developed, and various jobs can be created for the society due to leadership of engineers and scientists in landslide hazard prevention and remediation projects. 4) Prosperities and development can be sustained in the society by promoting social awareness, consideration of landslide hazards and training the society for emergent actions and challenges. 5) Major social issues can peacefully resolved by treating landslide disaster events as opportunities for initiating, executing and demolishing numerous unsafe squatters on hillsides and re-settling residents into high-rise buildings. 6) For safety, the use of hillside lands can be self-confined and restricted so that the natural ecological environments are protected, the hazard areas are reduced, the fund is better and effectively resourced to needed areas, and a modern urban development model is established. 7) Everyone in the society can benefit and the society and government can win reputations and honors locally and internationally due to wide and long-term development of landslide hazard prevention for public and community at large. 8) Engineers and governments should be persistent and firm on the long-term investments and returns in the effort of preventing and mitigating landslide hazards in Hong Kong because of the experience of various unforeseen difficulties and problems. 9) Research and development in landslide prevention and mitigation is always important for sustainable development and prosperity in Hong Kong. Lastly, it is noted that since Hong Kong has many unused and undeveloped land areas and sea areas, these nine experience will still be much needed and play an important role in the sustainable development and prosperity of Hong Kong as its population grows to more than 10 millions.