Appendix I
Seminar Series No. 1
- Overview and Perspectives on Skyrise Greenery
9 November 2010 (am)
Detailed information
Title and Speaker / "Skyrise Greenery in Urban fabric of Hong Kong– a New Horizon and Beyond"by Miss Kathy Ng
Head of Greening and Landscape Office,
Greening, Landscape and Tree Management Section,
Development Bureau
Synopsis / In a highly congested city such as Hong Kong, designers are keen to optimize greening opportunities through greening beyond the ground level. The opportunities offered through skyrise greening are numerous. However, the key issue is how to incorporate skyrise greening in the urban fabric so as to provide a quality environment. The speaker will give an overview of the development of skyrise greening in Hong Kong and explore its potentials in giving rise to a high quality urban environment.
Title and Speaker / "Building Integrated Landscape Systems"
by Mr. Andy Lewis
Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects
Principal, Design + Planning, Regional Landscape Architecture Director (Asia), AECOM
Synopsis / This paper explores the notion of green roofs and green walls, together with at-grade landscapes, as components of a multi-functional, holistic sustainable system. Apart from their intrinsic aesthetic attributes and the significant contribution they make to the perceived quality of life, such ‘green elements’ have a key role to play in the health and sustainability of our cities and are becoming key components of forward-thinking governments’ sustainability policies guiding future developments.
Drawing on extensive experiences in creating exemplary environments throughout the world, the paper will demonstrate how such green components can contribute to holistic and realistic solutions to many of the key problems facing our society - addressing issues of population explosion and climate change, economic revitalisation and sustainability, and representing key elements in the sustainable stormwater management and energy-efficient systems that will be critical to the success of future cities and development at all scales and the quality of life they are capable of generating.
Title and Speaker / "Architectural Opportunities & Constraints of Skyrise Greening in Hong Kong"
by Mr. K. S. Wong
Chairman, ProfessionalGreenBuilding Council
Director, Hong KongGreenBuilding Council
Director + Director of Sustainable Design, Ronald Lu & Partners (H K) Ltd.
Synopsis / From infrastructure to building projects, creative architectural design can enhance the integration of skyrise greenery in our tropical, compact city. However, regulatory control in both planning and building as well as administrative compartmentation in the government sector may impose design constraints.
For positive changes towards a quality and sustainable city, some ideas on design and institutional aspects will be brainstormed with a view to fostering breakthrough in the performance of our three-dimensional urban landscape. We need to create the greening opportunities for better urban climate and livability.
Title and Speaker / "Microclimate study of Building Development – Implication of SkyGardens"
by Dr. Raymond Yau
Chair of Energy Use Expert Panel of Hong KongGreenBuilding Council
Fellow and Director, Ove Arup & Partners Hong Kong Ltd
Synopsis / Microclimate study of building development is generally described. In particular, the effect of sky gardens on air ventilation will be highlighted alongside with its potential thermal benefits.
Topics / "Green Imperatives"
by Mr. Matthew Pryor
Past President of the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects
Head of Division of Landscape Architecture, Faculty of Architecture, The University of Hong Kong
Synopsis / Very often, project proposals are motivated by definite objectives. But what are the objectives when people are brainstorming projects of skyrise greenery? Are there any clear and justifiable objectives for implementing green roofs or vertical greening in a project? Are these objectives achievableeventually in terms of “greening”? Addressing these issue in the planning and designing stage would foster the success of skyrise greenery projects.
Title and Speaker / "Effect of green roof on ambient CO2 concentration"
by Professor Onyx W.H. Wai
Department of Civil and Structural Engineering,The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Synopsis / Plants can improve air quality by removing pollutants. The air purification capability of plants has beenreceiving increasing attention because of the rapid deterioration of the environment. However, research on evaluating quantitatively the effect of plants on the environmental pollutant concentrations is still scarce. This project studies the effect of a green roof on the ambient CO2 concentration as an example to assess the benefit of urban greening. The project comprises three parts: (1) Field measurement of the difference of CO2 concentration at a location in the middleofthe plants in a small plot of green roof and one in the surrounding area, (2) Experiments to measure the plant’s CO2 absorption velocity and emission rate using a sealed glass chamber; and (3) Computer simulation of the CO2 concentration distribution around a green roof using the measured CO2 absorption velocity and emission rate to quantify the effects of the green roof on the ambient CO2 concentration.
Forthcoming Seminars:
Series No. 2: 2 December 2010 (am)
Theme: Experience Sharing in Design, Construction and Researches
It will focus on the design and construction perspectives of skyrise greenery in practice. Moreover, findings of recent researches will be presented. Topics willincludeexemplary projects in both public and private sectors.
Series No. 3: 20 December 2010 (am)
Theme: Community Involvement and Maintenance
It will focus on the community involvement and maintenance perspective of skyrise greenery. Speakers will share hand-on experience in designing and implementing retrofitting green roof projects and the main lesson-learnt in designing and maintaining skyrise greenery projects.