Public housing estates with green and healthy designs could provide tenants a sense of well-being and belonging, says Secretary for Housing Winnie Ho Wing-yin.
The forum unveiled eight booklets featuring over 55 strategies and more than 170 well-being design concepts - bringing together local and international professionals in the exchange of ideas - to enhance the living environment in housing estates.
These are Kai Yip Estate in Kowloon Bay, Chak On Estate in Shek Kip Mei, Fu Shan Estate in Diamond Hill, Shui Pin Wai Estate in Yuen Long and Mei Lam Estate in Tai Wai.
Ho said the administration has made an effort in "increasing quantity, speed and efficiency" of constructing public housing units in recent years and that the intention of promoting well-being is to simultaneously "improve quality."The concepts were developed based on feedback from 3,000 tenants living in 26 housing estates across 17 districts, with the proposal of introducing multipurpose sports halls, more green spaces and benches in lobbies, as well as maximizing continuous and active frontages along main circulation routes.
Ho said the design guide provides reference for construction of housing in the future, hoping to "make huge differences with minor adjustments." She added: "For example, the addition of grassland would immediately make a difference that can provide a pleasant feeling when leaving and returning home."Ho also highlighted elements of intergenerational integration, especially elder-friendly facilities.
She said: "The elderly can get lonely living by themselves, so if we can encourage them to come down and use the facilities, it can create a good routine for them."stacy.shi@singtaonewscorp.com
