Planning and design for low-carbon public housing development in Hong Kong: an evaluation

Abstract

It has been widely recognized that there is urgent need to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emission for mitigation of climate change. The mitigation strategies are highly associated with planning and design that assist to tackle CO2 emissions embodied in housing development.

This research conducts evaluation of planning and design of public housing in Hong Kong as it affects the production of CO2 has shown a quite unique situation in comparison with other cities because of a combination of various aspects. Firstly, the reduction in energy consumption of transportation by lower transportation demand that directly cutbacks the fossil fuel consumption as well as reduces the emission of CO2. Dramatic change of location-based mobility patterns due to the failure of selfcontained new town development that highly impacts the daily trip of low-income people, who live in public housing that locate distant from the urban area and even the railway station. Cross-district to work or conduct their activities by multiple trips generate more CO2 emission.

Secondly, the reduction of carbon dioxide increases the importance of carbon absorption by greening and CO2 diminution by recycling. As Hong Kong is a compact city, planning and design of housing face to the challenges of conserve lands for greenery and reserve space for recycling facilities in estate.

Thirdly, enhancing low-carbon living through the reduction of electricity consumption. High-rise and high-density housing development is unique in Hong Kong, which has no doubt amplified the electricity consumption. While residents’ behavioral study shows that convenient, privacy, and practicability are the driven consideration factors.

This study reveals the practicing planning and design of public housing in Hong Kong positively contribute to reduce CO2 emission; while less attention has been paid to the jobs-housing balance and non-motorized transportation developments. This study fills a gap of variations between theoretical and practical differences context by suggesting integrate residents’ perspectives and administrative approach in fostering low-carbon development in compact urban context.