From Open Air to Air-Tight: Analyzing the Ventilation Overhaul in Hong Kong’s Wet Markets and Its Implications

Abstract

<p>Thisstudyexaminestheevolutionofthe‘wetmarkets’inHongKong and Singapore, focusing on some of their recent retrofits in Hong Kong, in which traditional and hybrid-ventilation methods with open facades are upgraded to mechanically ventilated systems with sealed and closed facades. The upgrades from open air to air-tight impacts not only the architectural expression and tectonic representation of these markets buildings, the façade’s openness expressing archi- tectural tenets for civic provisions in the modern city. The upgrades also increases the energy consumption for air exchange and cooling, while challenging the bal- ance of hygiene maintenance, thermal and olfactory comfort in a multiphysics environment. By measuring the particulate concentration in the newly-retrofitted wet markets in Hong Kong that have recently transitioned to mechanical venti- lation within sealed facades, and comparing them with the hybrid-ventilated wet markets with open facades, still prevalent in Hong Kong in Singapore, this anal- ysis quantitatively assesses the impacts of different ventilation strategies on the indoor environmental quality of these markets. A significant aspect of our study is the development of a framework to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of the retrofit strategies for aging wet markets, which were designed with open air, in both cities. Our goal is to offer evidence-based insights and recommendations that can guide future retrofits, as well as shape regulatory policies, ensuring that these vital urban public spaces continue to thrive while adapting to modern stan- dards of health, comfort, and sustainability. The findings will contribute to the still little-studied discussion on urban market renovations.</p>