Hong Kong Special Administration Region, China : Going for Extensive Underground Development in coming decades

Abstract

Population in HKSAR was 7 million in 2013, expected to be 9 million around 2030. Visitors to HKSAR numbered 50 million+ in 2013, predicted by government to be around 100 million in 2023, and estimated by academics to be 200 million in 2040. The Chief Executive of HKSAR, in his 2013 Policy Address on 16 Jan 2013, set up the policy on “Reclamation outside the Victoria Harbour and Developing Rock Cavern Underground Space”. (http://www.devb.gov.hk/filemanager/en/content_68/2013_policy_address_devb_s_policy_initiatives.pdf). “The 2013 Policy Address highlights that underground space is a viable source of long-term land supply and stresses the need to further explore the potential of developing underground space in the urban areas of Hong Kong, including studying the possibility of linking up the underground spaces of existing or planned structures. To explore the potential of developing underground space in the urban areas, CEDD commenced a study on the “Underground Space Development in the Urban Areas of Hong Kong – Feasibility Study” in December 2013. The study will review local cases and overseas examples to identify suitable measures and implementation strategies to facilitate underground space development in the urban areas of Hong Kong, establish territory-wide opportunities for underground space development, and develop conceptual schemes to demonstrate opportunities for space creation and connectivity enhancement and highlight any possible development constraints/issues in implementation. The study will also review specific topics related to underground space development, and consult relevant stakeholders.” (http://www.cedd.gov.hk/eng/about/organisation/org_geo_pln_underground.htm). It is estimated that there will be at least 50 relatively large locations in the coming 50 years in HKSAR for OPTIMIZING land use = Aboveground use + underground use, which is a Watershed move in Policy to escalate the economy of HKSAR in the coming 50 years and beyond. Hong Kong has a nice harbour, and other sea water courses at the middle of the city, and is surrounded by sea. Reclamation outside the harbour will be needed, for aboveground development which will go along with underground development in the future. Seawater should be used for the best way, for rejecting heat of air conditioning systems for gaining optimum energy efficiency, and for flushing purpose. Park and greening should be optimized above the underground space, to incorporate large light-air wells for natural light and air to go underground. The buildings above should be elevated by big columns, to allow air to pass at ground level. Large underground space should be multi-functional with commercial, institutional facilities, and to incorporate traffic hubs with ample parking facilities, and connection to rail stations, bus terminus, etc. Energy efficient centres for building services and recyclable water storage and facilities should be essential in large underground spaces. Also 'While taking referencing other underground cities, we should distinguish ourselves by adding different local features or themes to these zones,' said Cheung Kwok-pun, associate professor of architecture at the University of Hong Kong : Underground spaces to make for rich pickings, Karen Chiu – The Standard News, Thur., Feb 13, 2014 (http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=16&art_id=142451&sid=41560639&con_type=3&d_str=20140213&fc=7)