'Blue, green elements' the path ahead for development planning

More "blue and green" elements are hoped to be injected in new development areas' planning and design in the future, said Secretary for Development Bernadette Linn Hon-ho.

Writing on her blog yesterday, Linn said she hopes the government's construction and engineering departments can work together in introducing "blue and green elements" - which are natural factors such as water and plants - to the planning, construction and maintenance stages of new development areas.

"We will also continue to push the construction industry's digital transformation in order to enhance safety oversight and to make a lower-carbon, more dynamic, and better Hong Kong for the people," Linn said.

She named some of the winners of the Quality Building Award 2022 and also commented on the progress of the restoration work at the other large facilities.

North Lantau Hospital Hong Kong Infection Control Centre, the temporary hospital for Covid patients, is the winning-building of the Innovative Project Award. It only took four months from construction launch to completion and handover as numerous innovative construction methods were applied.

It includes modular integrated construction and multi-trade integrated approach for mechanical, electrical and plumbing works, in which modular and prefabricated buildings are made in factories, and later assembled on site to shorten the construction time, enhance site safety and allow a better site environment.

Linn added that the newly completed Transport Department Vehicle Examination Complex at Tsing Yi superseded three old vehicle examination centers for all types of vehicles.

The new center earned the Hong Kong Non-Residential Award, featuring a double helix car ramp that could lower the risk of car accidents from head-on driving and save up more space.

The center features a higher ceiling, which allows for better ventilation.

In addition to the two buildings, the Disciplined Services Quarters for Fire Services Department at Pak Shing Kok in Tseung Kwan O, Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Primary School and the restoration process of Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence in Shau Kei Wan, also applied several innovative and sustainable building methods to ensure a smoother process and subsequently lowering construction wastage.

Chief project manager of the Architectural Services Department Tuesday Li Pak-yee, said her department will dedicate itself to making Hong Kong achieve sustainable development and become a city with higher urban resilience.

"We will take the initiative to research with the industry to find out more innovative building methods and apply environmentally-friendly and inclusive society designs," Li said.