Facilitation of Urban Renewal with Building Safety and Condition Index

Abstract

High-density high-rise building development is the most spectacular feature of Hong Kong’s urban areas. However, fire safety and conditions of these buildings become major concern of occupants and the government as the majority of the territory’s population live in high-rise apartment buildings. There is increasing pressure on maintaining the level of safety performance in buildings. The recent occasional accidents of falling concrete pieces and windows in Hong Kong have aroused public concern over the possible dire consequences of building neglect. In view of Hong Kong’s growing problem of urban decay and building dilapidation, urban renewal has become a matter of great urgency. In the current economic climate, however, budgets for urban renewal are unlikely to meet the ever-increasing needs. Although it is unlikely that this problem can be overcome completely within an injection of further resources, it is possible for the government to improve the situation by ensuring that the best solution in terms of ‘value for money’ is achieved in the urban renewal programme. The Building Safety and Conditions Index (BSCI), developed by the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Hong Kong, can indeed help to solve the contemporary building problems. The BSCI is a benchmarking tool for classifying buildings in respect of safety and physical conditions of buildings. Objectiveness can be achieved in the formulation of the BSCI by adopting rigorous multi-attribute decision-making techniques such as the Analytical Hierarchy Process. Through the BSCI, occupants and the public will be informed of the safety risk associated with their living environments. In view of the monetary benefits, the building owners will upkeep their properties in serviceable conditions. For the government, the BSCI can serve as a priority setting tool to facilitate resource allocation to repair or upgrade buildings with the most urgent needs. Also, with reference to the results of the BSCI assessment, an alternative strategic solution can be achieved.