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HK x SD: Urban Greenery x Sustainable Development
By Matthew H.
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Urban Greenery: Navigating Challenges and Opportunities for Sustainable Development
Urban greenery plays a crucial role in sustainable urban development, particularly in dense metropolitan areas like Hong Kong. The article "Urban Greenspace Delivery in Hong Kong: Spatial-institutional Limitations and Solutions" by Jim, C. Y., & Chan, M. W. H (2016) provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges and potential solutions for implementing urban greenery in this unique city-state.
Hong Kong's urban landscape is characterized by high-density development, limited land resources, and a complex institutional framework. The authors highlight several key barriers to effective greenspace delivery, including the lack of a holistic planning approach, fragmented institutional responsibilities, and competing land-use priorities. These challenges are not unique to Hong Kong but are particularly acute given its geographical constraints and rapid urbanization.
One of the primary issues identified in the article is the disconnect between policy intentions and practical implementation. While Hong Kong has established various policies and guidelines promoting urban greenery, the actual delivery of green spaces often falls short of expectations. This gap is attributed to a lack of coordination among different government departments and the absence of a central authority responsible for overseeing urban greening initiatives.
The authors propose several solutions to address these challenges, including the establishment of a dedicated urban greening authority, the integration of green space planning into overall urban development strategies, and the adoption of innovative approaches such as vertical greening and roof gardens. These recommendations align with global best practices in sustainable urban development and could significantly enhance Hong Kong's urban environment.
Insufficient Public Open Space in Hong Kong as Population Grows
Source: Urban greenspace delivery in Hong Kong:
Spatial-institutional limitations and solutions Fig.4
To support the observations made in the article, we can look at additional evidence of urban greening efforts in Hong Kong. A time-lapse satellite imagery source focusing on the Kowloon Peninsula, using an RGB band combination of NIR/Red/Green, reveals interesting patterns of vegetation health.
Source: Self-generated time-lapse video of Kowloon Peninsula on Hugging Face
To support the observations made in the article, we can look at additional evidence of urban greening efforts in Hong Kong. A time-lapse satellite imagery source focusing on the Kowloon Peninsula, using an RGB band combination of NIR/Red/Green, reveals interesting patterns of vegetation health.
Kowloon Peninsula between 1986 (left) and 2024(right)
in NIR/Red/Green RGB band combination
Notably, the West Kowloon area circle in Green, which is largely reclaimed land, shows significant red patches in the imagery. These red areas indicate better vegetation health, suggesting that urban greenery initiatives are being implemented even on precious flat land created through reclamation. On the right side circled in Pink, we can also observe an increased density of red colour, indicating positive progress in urban greenery.
This visual evidence underscores the government's commitment to incorporating green spaces in new urban developments, despite the scarcity of land resources.
The Hong Kong government has also introduced policies aimed at enhancing urban greenery and livability. One such initiative is the "Invigorating Island South" project, which aims to transform the Southern District of Hong Kong Island into a vibrant community with enhanced recreational spaces and green corridors (Development Bureau, 2023). This project demonstrates a shift towards a more integrated approach to urban planning, where green spaces are considered essential components of urban rejuvenation rather than afterthoughts.
Source: 概念總綱計劃 3.0 - 躍動港島南 - 發展局
[Conceptual Master Plan 3.0. Invigorating Island South.] Development Bureau.
However, it's important to note that while these efforts are commendable, they also highlight the ongoing challenges discussed in Jim, C. Y., & Chan, M. W. H.'s article. The need for reclaimed land to accommodate green spaces underscores the intense competition for land use in Hong Kong. It also raises questions about the long-term sustainability of such approaches, particularly in the face of climate change and rising sea levels.
The article's emphasis on institutional fragmentation remains a critical point of consideration. While initiatives like "Invigorating Island South" show promise, they also demonstrate the project-based nature of many urban greening efforts in Hong Kong. This approach, while yielding localized improvements, may not address the systemic issues identified by the authors, such as the need for a comprehensive, city-wide urban greening strategy.
Moreover, the authors' call for innovative approaches to urban greening, such as vertical gardens and green roofs, becomes even more relevant when considering the limited horizontal space available for traditional parks and gardens. These solutions not only maximize the use of available space but also contribute to other aspects of sustainable urban development, such as energy efficiency and biodiversity conservation.
To truly advance urban greenery in Hong Kong, a more systematic and holistic approach is essential. I propose a multi-pronged strategy that goes beyond current piecemeal efforts. First, the city should establish a centralized Urban Greening Authority with cross-departmental powers, mandated to develop a comprehensive, city-wide green infrastructure master plan. The insights provided by Jim, C. Y., & Chan, M. W. H., combined with recent policy initiatives and visual evidence of greening efforts, highlight both the challenges and opportunities in this domain, underscoring the critical need for such a coordinated approach.
Furthermore, Hong Kong could pioneer an innovative "Green Density Bonus" policy, where developers receive additional building rights or tax incentives for implementing substantive green technologies. This could include mandatory green roof percentages, vertical garden implementations, and biodiversity-supporting design elements. The policy should be backed by rigorous scientific monitoring, creating a data-driven approach to urban greening that can be replicated globally. By transforming urban greening from a compliance requirement to a strategic development opportunity, Hong Kong could position itself as a global leader in sustainable urban design, turning its spatial constraints into a catalyst for innovative environmental solutions.
Sustainable Development.
Musicamatics Labs x The Once Times.
Hong Kong Edition.
Citations:
Development Bureau. (2023). Invigorating Island South.
