Augmenting ecosystem services with urban green infrastructure : planning and development regimes in Hong Kong

Abstract

This study assesses how urban green infrastructure (UGI) can transform urban challenges into opportunities with ecosystem services augmentation in Hong Kong (HK). HK has severe development pressures with limited UGI in the built-up areas where they are often overlooked, malfunctioned and sacrificed. The research addressed the current and future UGI planning, design, management, maintenance, performance monitoring and policy review in HK. Seven methodologies were adopted to examine how to bring nature back to urban HK by undertaking (1) baseline data collation and review with GIS mapping analysis and aerial photographs interpretation, (2) planning system and development regimes review, (3) plans, policies, and programmes review, (4) structured face-to-face interviews, (5) independent site visits, (6) structured face-to-face questionnaire surveys, and (7) international comparative studies and analysis based on literature, interviews and site visits.

HK and Singapore were investigated on how they managed strategically population growth and UGI in Central Business Districts (CBD), new towns and new development areas. Strong political will and cultural change transformed sustainably Singapore to lush greenery with community initiatives that HK lacked. Eleven public open spaces (POS) in the Central and Western District, HK were examined based on size, land use, environmental health and site environ, management operation, design and establishment period. The wheel of observation assessment with 12 factors, SWOT analysis and 660 questionnaire surveys were undertaken. These approaches explored how POS was provided and utilised from the planning and user perspectives.

The performance of POS is the best in CBD and diminished with distance. Large (≥1 ha) POS performed better than small (0.2 - <1 ha) and mini (≤0.2 ha) ones. POS designed and established in the early colonial period performed better than the late and post-colonial periods. The public managed POS performed slightly better than the private one. The questionnaire survey results showed that most respondents recognised the environmental and personal-social benefits of POS. They enjoyed fresh air and relaxed ambiance, but were dissatisfied by many disallowed activities and limited community engagement opportunities. On average, they were willing to pay HK$ 9.33 for a visit and offer additional 7.26% for a green view when they rented or purchased a property. Most respondents aspired to have one large POS than a group of small scattered POS from homes (within 10-minutes’ walk) with more accessible lawns, drinking fountains, water features, sitting-out areas, waterfront parks, promenades, urban biodiversity, cycling facilities, benches without intermediate arm rests, naturalistic and human-scale design.

Sustainable and liveable cities can manage population growth, optimise land use and conserve natural resources well by integrating and advancing economic, social and environmental issues with community engagement from planning to implementation. This research could help to assess, revise, refine and reform the current UGI planning legislation, policies and practices, rendering them more evidence-based, responsive, robust, and fit for purposes. The methodologies and analytical frameworks of this study may serve as an UGI planning and development toolkit for decision makers to integrate, evaluate and valuate natural capital for human and ecological health in compact cities with effective citizen engagement.