CEI 2012 Research presentations

Effectiveness of Greening on Urban Heat Island Effect

Jason LAM, Matthew SHIU

Po Leung Kuk Laws Foundation College

Hong Kong SAR, China

Urban heat island refers to the phenomenon that urban temperatures are higher than the surrounding countryside. According to a research conducted by the Hong Kong Observatory (2008), during the period 1989 – 2006, there was an average of 0.8^oC divergence between urban and rural air temperatures in Hong Kong, with an absolute maximum daily temperature difference of 11.5^oC.

Urban heat island does not only upset the ecology, but also creates other environmental problems in urban areas. Some studies have shown that urban greening can help lower the temperature and reduce the heat-island effect. The effect of large urban parks is particularly effective and significant. However, with limited land in urban areas, roof-top greening would be a feasible way to green urban areas in Hong Kong.

The present study aims to investigate the effect of materials on air temperature. The air temperatures of sites in the campus with the following different environment in the campus are compared: (1) green-shaded area; (2) green-roof; and (3) un-shaded concrete areas. Through comparing the air temperatures at different sites, the effectiveness and significance of the green-roof can be seen.

Urban heat island is not a local problem. We are determined to join hands with the Cita Hati Christian School in Jakarta, Indonesia to rise to this challenge. With different modes of urban development, we can learn how foreign countries combat urban heat island, and finally suggest the most effective way to solve this problem locally in Hong Kong.

Cooperation between School and NGOs - Plastic Bottles Recycling Program

Sing Yung CHU, Sam Yin WONG, Tin Long YU

Po Leung Kuk Laws Foundation College

Hong Kong SAR, China

In Hong Kong,plastic products account for 21% of the domestic waste sent to landfills. Plasticproducts are not biodegradableand therefore spoil the valuable landfill capacity.

Every day, a lot of bottled-water isconsumed by students in our school. Moststudentsdisposethe empty plastic bottles into trashbinsand add pressure to the trash-treatment system. Plastic bottles can be recycled into other products which are full of economic and environmental values.

In this project, we have cooperated with two organizations: (1) EcoPark, agovernment-runwaste treatmentfacility; and (2)the Plastic Resources Recycling Centre operatedby a local non-governmentalcharitable groupnamed Yan Oi Tong. With the help of these two bodies, a small scale campaign is carried out in the schoolto educate students of the importance of recycling plastic bottles. Students are encouraged to recycle plastic bottles and Yan Oi Tong is responsible for collecting the bottles regularly from the campus for recycling purposes.

Recycling helpsreduceenergy consumption and waste. This assists us inbecominga sustainable campus. Recycling can also promote green economy through offering job and business opportunities in the recycling industry.

Apart from the school-based campaign, we have visited the recycling facilities and education centres in the EcoPark and the Plastic Resources Recycling Centre. We hope to raise the awareness of students on environmental protectionand also to cultivatetheir habit of recycling.

Urban Renewal in Hong Kong:

Cooperation Between Local Community, Social Workers and the Government

Christopher LUEY, King-hang MAN, Vincent TSE

Po Leung Kuk Laws Foundation College

Hong Kong SAR, China

More than 110,000 families in Hong Kong live in substandard housing environment. Life in these inner city areas (districtswith long history of development)is made miserable by the dirt, decay and deprivationof amenities.Indeed, urban decay is a root cause of the most critical problems of city life in Hong Kong. Urban renewal undeniably becomes the core task of the Government.

In February 2011, a new Urban Renewal Strategy was suggestedby the Government. The new strategy places greater emphasis on community involvement, adopting the ‘People First, District-BasedandPublicParticipatory’approach in its work.

Recently, urban renewal projects have initiated carried out in Hong Kong in two inner city areas, Kung Tongand Wan Chai. These two sites arereplanned and rebuilt to achieve greaterenvironmental and social benefits,such as more open space and community facilities. The present study aimsto investigatehowurban renewalcan help the sustainability in the city environment, which in turn can improvethe living standard of the community.

Urban renewal often draws disappointment from local residents due to the needs of home relocation. This study also aims to investigate the roles of social workersin acting as the middlemen between the Government and local residents. Through the efforts of social workers, local residents are more willing to accept relocation and facilitate the overall development of urban sustainability in Hong Kong.