District 18 News
Written by: Zeng Fengting
2021-02-25 18:27
The last update date: 2021-02-25 18:32
Under the development of urbanization, Hong Kong has long become a "concrete forest."
Although the government has carried out a series of greening of the city in the past, there is still much room for improvement in the management and maintenance of plants.
Take Tsuen Wan as an example. As early as seven years ago, the government discussed the Tsuen Wan greening master plan in the district councils, but the results were not satisfactory.
In June last year, the Tsuen Wan District Council discussed the idea of Tsuen Wan as a "garden city" again, and conducted greening studies in the district with experts.
Today (25th) the results of the Tsuen Wan Urban Greening Study were released. It was found that there are 617 potential greenable sites in Tsuen Wan’s city centre, including the tops of flyovers, railings, factory buildings, housing estates and school roofs.
Some district councillors hope that Tsuen Wan can be used as a greening pilot project to implement the concept in all 18 districts in Hong Kong.
Today (25th) Tsuen Wan's urban greening research results were released.
(Photo by Zeng Fengting)
Tsuen Wan’s urban greening study was carried out at the end of last year. The research chair professor Chi-yong Chin of the Department of Social Sciences (Geography and Environmental Sciences) of The Education University of Hong Kong and his research team conducted an intensive investigation in Tsuen Wan for two months to assess the potential greening areas in Tsuen Wan. According to its greening conditions, such as location, size, light and darkness, and materials, pair it with each other. It is recommended to plant different types of plants where appropriate.
The study found that there are a total of 617 potential green sites in the Tsuen Wan city centre, including the tops of flyovers, railings, factory buildings, housing estates and school roofs.
(Provided by the research team)
Many urban greening restrictions
The study divided the Tsuen Wan’s near downtown area into 11 areas. They were looking for potential suitable green areas on roadsides, road slopes, public open spaces, ground spaces and rooftops. It was found that there are many plants in public housing areas, but among them Poor plant quality and maintenance.
In the inland areas, where there are many vehicles and less traffic channels, they can be used for greening. However, in coastal areas, because of long-term strong winds, most of them only plant native plants and there are not many types.
Pedestrian curbs, overpass tops, railings and rooftops have potential greening
Research points out that the roofs of flyovers, railings, factory buildings, housing estates and schools are all potential green areas.
Pedestrian curbs, road dividers, and locations near parking meters can all be used effectively. This is also common in Europe and the United States.
After considering the size, light and darkness, and materials of these locations, the research team will select plants that are suitable for survival in the location.
For example, the road section of Lam Pak Yan Middle School of Yan Chai Hospital in Tsuen King Wai is wider and sunny, but has height restrictions. It is suitable for planting windbells and Ophiopogon japonicus, which do not grow too high.
The plants planted on flyovers and shelters should be mainly vines that do not need sunlight because they will block sunlight. For example, the first crown vines can be planted on the top of pedestrian bridges near Qingshan Road.
Regarding slopes, the research team found that most of the trees on the slopes were cut down because of the risk of collapse due to the wind. Therefore, it is recommended to plant flowering plants in these areas to reduce the occurrence of similar incidents.
The design of the green areas of existing public recreational facilities also needs to be improved. The research team explained that due to the hard ground in the park, the space left for tree holes is generally not large. Adding flowering plants next to the tree holes can help the tree roots hold the soil tightly.
After assessing the supporting capacity of the rooftops, the research team found that some rooftops with high supporting capacity are good places for the development of community farms. For example, the rooftops in the Tsuen Wan Market can be developed, and community activities will be added in the future for public use.
Dr. Tree: Hong Kong should adopt innovative and three-dimensional greening work
"Dr. Tree" Zhan Zhiyong pointed out that the greening rate in Hong Kong is only in single digits. Compared with other places, the greening rate in Hong Kong is very low.
In the past, the Hong Kong government used traditional methods for greening, so there were many restrictions.
He believes that in the case of Hong Kong as an ultra-high-density city, it is possible to adapt measures to local conditions and adopt innovative three-dimensional greening (also known as vertical greening) methods to handle greening work. Let the greening elements go in."
"Dr. Tree" Zhan Zhiyong pointed out that the greening rate in Hong Kong is only in single digits. Compared with other places, the greening rate in Hong Kong is very low.
(Photo by Zeng Fengting)
He believes that in addition to changing the quality of plants in planning, more attention must be paid to maintenance. "In the past, it was found that plants in few places have withered and the soil has not been properly maintained."
Since the cost of greening is not high, Zhan Zhiyong believes that Hong Kong is capable of doing it, but it needs assistance in training gardening talents, such as establishing a license system and planning for greening work.
He also pointed out that greening has many benefits, "being around nature, people will unknowingly become happy," and it can also reduce people's oppression in a busy city.
The chairman of the Tsuen Wan District Council, Chen Wanchen, understands that promoting Tsuen Wan as a "Garden City" will be full of challenges. He hopes that Tsuen Wan can be used as a pilot in the future to implement the concept in all 18 districts in Hong Kong and to be on par with Singapore in the future.
(Photo by Zeng Fengting)
The chairman of the Tsuen Wan District Council, Chen Wanchen, pointed out that it is necessary to understand that promoting Tsuen Wan as a "garden city" will be full of challenges, and the collaboration of government departments is also very important.
He hopes that in the future, Tsuen Wan can be used as a pilot, and the concept can be implemented in all 18 districts in Hong Kong, which will be on par with Singapore in the future.
He also pointed out that in the Housing Department's Estate Management Advisory Committee earlier, some members had proposed relevant plans to the LCSD and the Land Development Department. At that time, the other party was also open and he would continue to follow up.
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