2009 Volume 13 Issue 2 Pages 169-178
Global environmental changes, especially global warming, are becoming an issue for urban designers. Coupled with that are the issues of life in mega- and high-density cities and the urban heat island effect. Hong Kong is one of the world’s highest-density cities, with over sixty thousand persons per square kilometre in its urban areas. High-rise, bulky and closely packed buildings are the norm; and this increases the urban heat island intensity and reduces urban air ventilation. Given Hong Kong’s hot, humid tropical summers, high heat stress can be expected in the urban environment. Since 2003, the Hong Kong Government has commissioned studies on this issue. An air ventilation assessment (AVA) study was carried out. In addition, an urban climatic map was drafted based on an evaluation of human thermal comfort. A study of intra-urban temperature variations is underway and their possible implications to localised hot days and hot spells is being investigated. The criticality of rising intra-urban temperature and decreased wind speed can be established. This has provided objective input for planning actions in the form of urban climatic recommendation maps. This work is on-going in Hong Kong. The present paper summarises some of these projects and documents the study process and rationale.
