HKU Bulletin April 2010 (Vol. 11 No. 2)

10 The University of Hong Kong Bulletin 11 April 2010 As Hong Kong’s love affair with the high rise begins to wane and population projections warn of more overcrowding, one scholar has devised a plan for an underground city that will see shopping malls, recreational facilities and streets tucked out of sight, allowing space above for a huge network of parks linked by green corridors. Cheung Kwok-pun, Associate Professor in the Department of Architecture, was prompted to devise the plan by UN and government census reports suggesting Hong Kong’s population will reach nine million by 2050. “There appears to be no plan for dealing with this,” he says. “The issue is space, we don’t have enough of it. The government has proposed new towns, like Kwu Tung in the New Territories, to be extended to take up some of the population, but that will not be enough to address the problem.” His solution is the Pearl for the World project, spawned under the auspices of HKU’s Initiative on Clean Energy and Environment – a focal point for multi- and inter-disciplinary research on clean energy and environment. The project aims to utilize reclaimed land for an underground development similar to those common throughout Japan, North America and Europe. It will incorporate underground commercial outlets, a traffic network and parking facilities on reclaimed land along the harbour covering over 500 hectares in West Kowloon, Kai Tak, Quarry Bay, Central and Wan Chai. “Underground cities are financially viable for West Kowloon and Kai Tak,” he says. “If the government does not do it, Hong Kong will have no other way to meet its commercial needs in the coming 40 years – there is simply nowhere to put up all these buildings.” “What I’m saying is to build good parks in West Kowloon and Kai Tak and the northern part of Hong Kong, and build the commercial centres in West Kowloon, elevated over the park similar to HSBC Building in the Central. There is no more room on Hong Kong island for Grade A office buildings.” His plan allows for open spaces above where golf ranges, schools and luxury hotels can be incorporated into a clean and green environment. “This addresses the air pollution problem,” he says. “An increased population in Hong Kong does not necessarily mean the proportional increase in roads.” “We can reduce the number of vehicles by using electric transportation above and underground. People can drive to the green belt, park their car and join an electrical loop which will take them to the rail stations. Several traffic hubs and electric bus and rail systems will link up with existing rail and MTR systems.” Too good to be true? It may sound too good to be true, but Mr Cheung insists that the plan is both technically and financially feasible. He singles out reclaimed land specifically because it is the cheaper option. “The construction costs are very inexpensive compared to inland, as there are no rocks, cables or pipelines. You can do open excavation, making it very fast and inexpensive. Our reclaimed land is part of Hong Kong’s treasure. It’s a gold mine for future generations if utilized properly.” Having consulted engineers and chartered quantity surveyors he has developed a financial model that assumes a public- private partnership with the underground space provided at no cost by the government. He estimates that an underground development incorporating 150 hectares under West Kowloon, extending from Lai Chi Kok to the new arts hub would cost about $350 billion, to be developed in phases over the next 30 to 40 years with financial recovery periods of five years, with an annual rental income of $68 billion generated from the underground commercial areas alone. Additional revenue generated from the land above will be higher thanks to its green and open landscape. A marine park for sailing and water sports, along the harbour front will be included as an added attraction. And in answer to critics who insist underground cities soak up more energy for lighting and ventilation Mr Cheung says, “Thanks to the micro-light-emitting- diodes, developed by Mr Anthony Choi in our Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, there will be very little difference between lighting above or under ground. Furthermore, residential units within the parks will have solar tracking and reflecting systems for solar control, true cross ventilation on three sides, the use of internal pitch glass roofs, green roofs, rain water collection, use of recycled waste water, and electric heat pumps, all of which will bring about an energy-efficient community that will set an example for sustainable living in Hong Kong.” The proposal, the only generic holistic sustainable development plan for the HKSAR over the coming 50 years, was submitted to Chief Executive Donald Tsang and the Development Bureau, in February. Mr Cheung says he was prompted to develop the project because “I am eager to provide an alternative environment for Hong Kong people and for future generations. At the moment we have no answer to population growth. We talk about urban greening but no-one is doing it in a thought- ful and holistic manner.” “People are becoming more environmentally aware, they are putting more emphasis on quality of life and air quality, but Hong Kong is going to lose out if the government does not change its attitude to greening.” He calls on the government to start ‘greening’ the economy by reshaping and refocusing policies, investments and spending towards a more sustainable future. “There are three necessary factors for successful sustainability, the first is environmental, the second is societal and the third is economic. If we don’t have a holistic, sustainable plan for Hong Kong’s future how are we going to deal with the burgeoning population and all the problems that entails?” Cover Story Hong Kong’s air pollution is usually blamed on vehicles and power stations, but marine vessels can pollute the air, too. Hong Kong’s first ‘green junk’, developed by HKU engineering academics, reduces some of the impacts and serves as a showcase to others. The boat was commissioned by Aviva, a multinational insurance company that wanted to promote environmental protection here. They called on Professor Dennis Leung and Dr Michael Leung of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, who already had experience working with a private firm to develop micro wind turbines. The two academics fitted out the 60-foot- long boat with solar photovoltaics and micro wind turbines that could run the boat’s appliances for a couple of hours each day. A heat pump was adapted to capture hot air pumped out by air-conditioners for heating water. Energy efficient appliances and lighting were also installed. Biodiesel was also added to the ship’s fuel to reduce polluting emissions, as one of three research projects associated with the junk. The other two looked at improving scrubbers to remove pollutants from the engine emissions, and improving the design of micro wind turbines. All told, the project cost an affordable $1.2 million including installations and research costs. “The major benefit of this project is the promotion of renewable energy,” Dr Michael Leung said. “With a boat, people can see physically how renewable energy can be applied. I know other companies are interested in a green boat after this project.” The launch last year was covered widely in local media and also attracted attention from Aviva’s overseas offices. GOING underground One radical solution to Hong Kong’s land problem is to rethink the way we use it. CLEANER sailing Renewable energy applied. Mr Cheung Kwok-pun Hong Kong’s first ‘green junk’, developed by HKU.