admin – Page 2 – ENHANCE HONG KONG

THE SMOKING CONUNDRUM

OBSERVATION: Smoking in high-density communities like Hong Kong results in predictable clashes between smokers and non-smokers.

SOLUTION: Could smoke-free zones be greatly expanded, along with advances in pollution control technologies to reduce the impact of second-hand smoke?

Societies around the world have grappled with preserving the rights of people wishing to smoke, while providing protection to non-smokers from second-hand smoke. The health hazards of smoking have been well documented, and the friction between smokers and non-smokers in a densely-populated city like Hong Kong often reaches a fevered pitch. It is estimated that only 10% of Hong Kong’s population currently smoke on a daily basis, and some have linked this relatively low percentage to Hong Kong’s relatively long life spans. Visitors to Hong Kong — especially from Mainland China where smoking levels are much higher — increase the overall number of smokers found in public areas throughout the city.

Within high-rise residential buildings, smokers have the freedom to puff away in their homes — sometimes adversely affecting upper floor residents directly above — while being restricted from smoking in the common areas of a particular housing estate. While Hong Kong society generally complies with the ban on smoking inside public buildings, the indoor smoking ban at the city’s restaurants and bars is regularly flouted — often due to a complete lack of enforcement and penalties — which exacerbates the conflicting needs of smokers and non-smokers in social situations.

The advent of “vaping” — the dire health consequences notwithstanding — has arguably reduced the amount of lingering second-hand smoke affecting nearby non-smokers; however, there remain frequent conflicts at Hong Kong’s more popular watering holes. For many, the desire to smoke while imbibing one’s favorite tipple is a hard habit to shake.

While Hong Kong’s Department of Health includes a dedicated Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office that seeks to discourage smoking, are there other strategies to improve the lives for all parties concerned?

Is there a solution for this age-old conundrum? Here are some ideas:

Restrict smoking in urban areas to dedicated street-side smoking booths for 2-4 people that contain smokers’ secondhand smoke, which are equipped with interior finishes that use powerful nanotechnology to instantly attract and neutralize airborne pollutants, automatically filtering the air.
Could there be designated smoking restaurants and bars with enhanced air filtration systems that are clearly labelled at the entry? Smokers could have a refuge, and non-smokers could simply choose to dine elsewhere.
Codify the current Department of Health Tobacco and Alcohol Control Office guidelines into mandatory legislation.
Encourage the use of innovative paints and architectural finishes that use nanotechnology to help attract and neutralize airborne pollutants throughout Hong Kong’s building industry.
Could Hong Kong become an R&D center for new pollution-control nanotechnology building materials?
Prohibit smoking of any kind within 6 m from all building entrances, and open-fronted bars and restaurants.
Encourage the creation of completely smoke-free residential housing estates, that require private leases to include a smoking clause as a cause for early termination.
Either ban or severely restrict the import certain tobacco products and e-cigarettes into Hong Kong from a public health standpoint.
Restrict smoking of traditional tobacco cigarettes to wide-open spaces where second hand smoke will not affect nearby people.
Provide more funding and resources to the Department of Health relative to legislation, enforcement, and smoking cessation services.

QUIET ROAD CONSTRUCTION

OBSERVATION: Roadworks in Hong Kong typically provide minimal protection to pedestrians relative to dust and noise pollution.

SOLUTION: Provide new requirements for labor safety, and strict environmental protection for all roadworks projects.

It has been said that noisy Hong Kong is like one giant construction site, with its roadways and sidewalks in a constant state of being dug up and paved over. Currently, there is very little environmental protection from deafening jackhammers and the massive amounts of dust affecting passersby, walking just inches away. How many times have you had to hold your breath and plug your ears as you push your way through the crowds as quickly as possible? First-time tourists visiting Hong Kong are often shocked and appalled.

The situation becomes even more reckless with many low-paid laborers at these roadside work sites lacking personal protective equipment (e.g. helmets, eye protection, work boots, face masks, ear plugs, etc.) relative to the dangerous nature of the work required of them.

This has sadly become the status quo in Hong Kong; why do things have to remain this way?

A very common site throughout Hong Kong, deafening jackhammers and dust assaulting passersby; rarely is any kind of acoustic protection or dust mitigation provided.

In high-density Japan, there are strict regulations regarding labor requirements, noise pollution, and the environmental / health impacts related to these types of everyday roadside repairs. Could the Hong Kong authorities take a leaf out of Japan’s book and be more responsible in protecting its population?

Could Hong Kong adopt similar measures of requiring acoustic enclosures around work areas to save our ears from deafening jackhammers?
Could the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) become a mandatory requirement for contractors to obtain a Government contract and repeat business?
Could better dust abatement strategies be employed to minimize the impact on pedestrians, walking just inches away?
Could a new type of noise-cancelling jackhammer be invented that could dramatically decrease noise pollution levels and achieve the same results?

THE RISING TIDE

OBSERVATION: Climate change, whether natural or manmade, is very likely to result in significant rises in ocean levels that will threaten coastal communities across the world.

SOLUTION: Provide a new non-governmental task force to envision a long-term strategy and proactive measures for the preservation of Hong Kong’s coastal areas and communities.

Ocean levels have been steadily rising since the beginning of the 20th century. Most attribute this to global warming, which is driving thermal expansion of seawater and the melting of land-based ice sheets and glaciers. While there is intense debate over projections of sea level rise over the next century, many have indicated ocean levels will rise by at least 0.7 m and perhaps in excess of 2.0 m. While many insist that the reduction of carbon emissions are integral to reign in catastrophic rises in ocean levels, is it already too late?

How will Hong Kong respond to the inevitable impact of rising sea levels on its high-density coastal urban areas? Retreat, accommodate, or protect?

RETREAT:

Property Loss: If sea levels along Hong Kong’s coastline continue to rise, will low-lying areas eventually become flooded and abandoned, resulting in significant financial loss to property owners?
Coastal Restrictions: Is a strategic and planned “retreat” envisaged by the Government that might see a future ban of new development along coastal areas and encourage more intense development at higher elevations?
Migration: Will there be a slow and steady migration out of Hong Kong in search of safer and higher ground?

ACCOMMODATE:

Transformation: Could the low-lying inhabited area of Hong Kong be transformed to remain livable if ocean levels rise significantly?
Overwater Living: Could some coastal districts be modified and adapted to serve as new models of over-water living?
New Canals: Could the foundations of some existing buildings be modified to allow for existing low-lying streets to eventually become canals like Venice?
Codes: Should new building codes be enacted requiring buildings in vulnerable locations to be built with modified foundations and at higher elevations?
Infrastructure: Will some roadways and key infrastructure need to be elevated to accommodate higher water levels?

Could some of Hong Kong’s coastal urban areas be transformed into communities served by canals? Will high tea at the historic Peninsula Hotel someday require access by a Venetian gondola?

PROTECT:

The most likely option to preserve some of the most high-value property and iconic skyscrapers lining Hong Kong’s coastline might revolve around strategies of protection, which could work hand in hand with concurrent strategies to retreat and to accommodate.

What protective strategies might be considered?

Locks: Might Victoria Harbour someday be sealed at both ends by a system of locks that regulate water level, while still admitting critical marine traffic?
Seawalls: Will sections of Hong Kong need to take a page from The Netherlands and require the construction of giant dikes and seawalls to protect low-lying areas?
Drainage Systems: Could a city-wide system of pump drainage systems be created as in Miami, Florida, USA?
Natural Systems: Could the establishment of new barrier islands, mangroves and coral reefs surrounding parts of Hong Kong provide protection from increases in flooding and erosion?
Coastal Protection: Will compensated or involuntary coastal land resumption be enacted to create artificial and natural defenses? Residents in Nova Scotia, Canada have already been faced with this alarming issue.

China Water Risk, among many others have already raised the alarm over the submersion of Hong Kong. Reclaimed areas of Hong Kong Island’s north coast and some of the most populous low-lying neighborhoods in Kowloon have been identified as some of the city’s most vulnerable populated areas. What will happen to these areas in the future?

As one of the most vexxing and costly issues confronting the survival of Hong Kong, urgent policies to protect the territory’s coastal population need to be formulated — which must include representation by individuals, property owners, property developers, the HKSAR Government, as well as the National PRC Government.

While so many people are focused on Hong Kong’s political climate when 2047 rolls around — is anyone thinking of the physical climate and whether the city will be livable?

SILENT CAR HORNS

OBSERVATION: Hong Kong is arguably one of the loudest cities in the world; the situation is exacerbated by the liberal use of automobile horns within high density urban areas.

SOLUTION: Provide new automobile warning systems and better enforce existing Hong Kong laws restricting the use of the horn for emergency situations only.

Hong Kong can be a deafening city — and how many times have pedestrians and surrounding residential units been assaulted by a long queue of cars all leaning on their horns in frustration of slow-moving traffic?

The ubiquitous automobile horn has its origins almost 200 years ago in the earliest of “horseless carriages” as an audible warning device. However, today this vestige from the past is misused by millions of drivers expressing their frustration with drivers within close proximity — often due to traveling too slow, blocking traffic, turning illegally, or changing lanes unexpectedly.

In the worst case scenarios, situations of road rage ensue with angry drivers racing to catch up with an offending vehicle for a “showdown” which results in potentially very dangerous situations.

While the current audible horn must still be maintained for emergency situations and to warn of imminent collisions — in a high density city like Hong Kong, could a new type of “silent” wireless horn be designed into new automobiles that would spare nearby pedestrians and residents from unnecessary noise pollution?

What if steering wheels in new cars were equipped with a sensor that could detect the pounding of a frustrated driver’s fist on the top of the steering wheel that could send a wireless “dissatisfaction” or warning signal to all vehicles within a certain radius through their surround sound stereo system, indicating the relative direction of the signal? This driver-specific signal could be accompanied by a visual warning indicator for those oblivious drivers plugged into their personal headphones or enamored with their dashboard-mounted smartphones.

Taking things one step further, could a direct wireless audio link be provided between two vehicles for temporary communication? This could be provided via a touchscreen at the dashboard indicating the relative positions of surrounding vehicles. If the recipient agrees to accept the call, then the two drivers could have a short hands-free chat to resolve any potential misunderstandings, warn of the dangers of a damaged part dangling off a nearby vehicle … or perhaps even strike up a conversation with an attractive person of the opposite sex! The receiving driver can always opt to block the call.

If such a system was able to be implemented, could the use of the traditional car horn be restricted by law to emergency situations only in an effort to reduce overall noise pollution levels?

PARTICIPATORY DESIGN

OBSERVATION: Much of Hong Kong’s planning and development happens behind closed doors with minimal consultation with the public.

SOLUTION: Encourage “participatory design” activities in all sectors of society to establish dialogue with residents and to better understand the needs of the end users.

Idea competitions, charettes, and placemaking work sessions are used across the world to engage the public and to arrive at innovative design solutions for the built environment. Unfortunately, Hong Kong’s often top-down development and planning approach, and lack of a clear long term vision leaves much to be desired.

IDEA COMPETITIONS:

Idea Competitions are an excellent and relatively affordable means of soliciting public feedback in the evolution of the built environment. As an example, this locally-produced winning entry in a 2008 idea competition for the redevelopment of the Central Police Station proposed the creation of a new hub for arts and culture revolving around historic preservation; this helped shape Government and public support for what would later become Tai Kwun a decade later.

PLACEMAKING WORKSHOPS

Some forward-thinking developers in Hong Kong, such as Swire Properties, have hosted a series of “placemaking” workshops which solicit creative ideas from the local residents who live within their developments. Residents of all ages are supplied with a small artbox and variety of arts and crafts materials to construct a vision of how they would like to see their community in the future. The collection of ideas — small artistic creations in their own right — are then exhibited in local shopping centers for feedback from a wider audience. This type of participatory process can be used by both developers and the Government in shaping future design and planning decisions related to the built environment.

Participants were supplied with a small artbox to construct the type of things they would like to see in their community. This example illustrated the desire for wide-open green spaces in which people could picnic.

An exhibition of “placemaking” entries from local residents at Cityplaza Shopping Centre in Taikoo Shing.

DESIGN CHARRETTES

Architects, planners and other design professionals from around the world often participate in design “charrettes” which seek to find collaborative design solutions within a very constrained amount of time. Design professionals often volunteer their time and expertise to help solve some of society’s more pressing problems on a probono basis. Within Hong Kong, the American Institute of Architects Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Institute of Architects are two such organizations that frequently host such charrettes in an attempt to improve the built environment.

A roll of tracing paper and a bit of caffeine are often all that is required to get an architect’s creative juices flowing!

An increase in participatory design activities might help bridge the gap between what the people ACTUALLY want, and what the Government THINKS the people want in their built environment.

HIVE PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION PODS

OBSERVATION: Hong Kong’s worsening traffic congestion and pollution are in dire need of alternative “smart city” non-polluting transportation systems.

SOLUTION: Provide vast fleets of automated driverless 6-8 passenger electric vehicles that operate using an AI-powered “hive” technology to enable Hong Kong to become a world leader in public transportation.

Imagine pressing “home” or “office” on your smartphone, and within seconds a shared driverless electric-powered transportation pod arrives at your location, which takes you and a handful of other pre-selected passengers on the most efficient route to their respective destinations. The entire “hive” network could be centrally managed and directed by an artificial intelligence dispatch system that provides the most efficient transport path and mix of passengers and pods for millions of commuters simultaneously.

Each disabled-accessible pod could be compact enough to fit down the smallest of Hong Kong’s historic streets, equipped with rotating wheel bases to stop and maneuver sideways into small curbside spaces. While dedicated “pod lanes” could be provided in urban centers, these self-driving pods could also co-exist with traditional human-driven vehicles and other forms of public transportation across Hong Kong’s existing road network.

Does it make sense to retain the current polluting fleets of mini-buses recklessly piloted by sleep-deprived speed demons that race down the highways half empty?

Is this really science fiction? Or just around the corner? Amazon is already doing this in their warehousing operations. Can Hong Kong step up to this sci-fi challenge?

TUNNEL TOLL EQUALIZATION

OBSERVATION: Hong Kong’s three “cross-harbour” tunnels have greatly differing tunnel tolls, resulting in predictable congestion at the cheapest tunnel.

SOLUTION: Take cost avoidance out of the equation and equalize the tolls for all three tunnels and allow traffic to redistribute itself into the most efficient travel patterns.

The three cross-harbour tunnels snaking beneath Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour are currently priced at differing levels, with the Western Harbour Crossing costing 3-4 times more than the Cross-Harbour Tunnel and Eastern Harbour Crossing. Each tunnel has differing ownership and operator structures, and at least one has been accused of incrementally increasing tolls each year despite enjoying record profits.

The Cross-Harbour Tunnel opened in 1972 and is owned / operated by the HKSAR Government / Serco Group (HK) Limited; similarly the 1989 Eastern Harbour Crossing is owned / operated by the HKSAR Government / Pacific Infrastructure Limited. The newest 1997 Western Harbour Crossing is owned / operated by the Western Harbour Tunnel Company.

What if the Government could restructure the operations of all three tunnels and strike a profit-sharing agreement with each tunnel operator and equalize the tolls across all three critical links connecting Hong Kong Island with Kowloon?
To what extent could this reduce cross-harbour vehicle travel times and reduce the amount of vehicular pollutants that are emitted into our already filthy air?
How much time could be saved for commuters if large portions of private vehicles and taxis could be redistributed to the Eastern and Western Crossings when the cost differential is taken out of the equation?
What if motorcycle riders were exempted from tunnel tolls, or at least outfitted with autopay readers on their helmets to ensure smooth traffic flow?

Why not do a trial run for one year and see what happens?

For a long-term solution to Hong Kong’s transportation ills, some of suggested taking the Western Harbour Crossing, MTR and all bus companies into public ownership. Could this be the way forward?

RETURN OF THE RICKSHAWS

OBSERVATION: Hong Kong’s venerable rickshaws have almost completely vanished, despite their cultural and historical significance.

SOLUTION: Bring back the rickshaws by issuing new licenses and providing dedicated areas of travel along the harbourfront and other pedestrianized areas.

Can rickshaws be rescued before they disappear into oblivion?

Hong Kong’s rickshaws and their owners are a dying breed. In 1924, it was estimated that almost 3,500 rickshaws were in use throughout the territory, which have now dwindled to the last remaining license holder since the Government stopped issuing licenses in the 1970s.

Could the soon-to-be-extinct rickshaw industry be revived along the frontage of Victoria Harbour and other pedestrianized areas of Hong Kong?
While patrons of a rickshaw ride would likely be predominantly tourists, could this humble wheeled contraption also become a viable resident transport option for short hops along the flat harbourfront areas, especially if a new harbourfront pedestrian promenade could be developed?
Could new “pullers” hoping to get into shape be recruited as new license holders? Why jog along the harbourfront to get into shape when you could pull a rickshaw, make money, expand your social network, and get a better cardio workout?
Could a new line of high-performance rickshaws be created with ball-bearings, minimizing friction and maximizing speed?

Let’s get creative:

Could new rickshaw races through challenging obstacle courses be created to rival the annual Dragonboating races?
Could rickshaws be interfaced with computer / geocaching games where teams compete to collect points from various locations to bridge computer gaming with physical fitness?
What about a new “Hong Kong Challenge” — could a new ultramarathon team event be devised which incorporates Dragonboating, Rickshaw Pulling, Bun Tower Scrambling, and other endurance activities that are specific to Hong Kong, while celebrating the city’s unique characteristics, and attracting sporting enthusiasts from around the world?

While the film industry will always have a need for the occasional rickshaw for various productions, are there other possibilities to help keep the rickshaw from disappearing forever like many other aspects of Hong Kong’s vanishing heritage?

TAXI TRACKING

OBSERVATION: Hong Kong’s taxis have gained a poor reputation for taking residents and tourists on the “scenic route” to their destinations … just to make an extra buck!

SOLUTION: Provide GPS tracking and identification of all taxis for trip audits in the event of a dispute, and to more efficiently dispatch taxis to meet the needs of both passengers and drivers.

How many times have you been “taken for a ride” by an unscrupulous Hong Kong taxi driver in a poorly maintained vehicle that reeks of urine and cigarette smoke? Could a mandatory GPS tracking system and interactive driver rating system be implemented to safeguard both passengers and drivers, as well as minimize disputes?

Since Uber is still not an approved public transport option in Hong Kong, consider a comprehensive overhaul of the current taxi industry to provide a positive impact on Hong Kong’s tourism industry and residents’ quality of life.

Consider the following ideas:

Install a GPS tracking system in each taxi that is linked with a Taxi Hailing app that efficiently matches passengers with nearby taxis and taxis with their preferred routes, all while being monitored by a central taxi dispatching center. This would also provide a time-stamped audit trail of routes taken to dissuade unscrupulous drivers from taking the “scenic route” and to minimize passenger complaints.
Provide drivers with an interface to a real-time traffic conditions map that assists drivers in taking the least congested route for maximum efficiency, and to maximize their number of revenue-generating trips per day.
Provide QR codes on the passenger side door which passengers could scan with their smartphones, and instantly ascertain the rating of that driver.
Create an interactive taxi app to allow passengers to rate the vehicle and its driver relative to driver safety, hygienic condition of the taxi, driver courteousness, and other factors that are compiled into an overall composite score per trip.
Greatly reduce staffing levels at taxi complaints hotlines due to a predicted dramatic fall in complaints.
Provide a central database with each professional driver’s licensing history, training, traffic violations, passenger complaints, etc. for use by the Department of Transport in granting and renewing individual taxi licenses.
Provide driver protection — assuming privacy issues are addressed, the smartphone ID of particularly abusive or disorderly passengers could be flagged, allowing drivers to decline a fare.
Provide Government subsidies for the repair, upkeep and detailing of individual vehicles to motivate drivers to improve their scores.
Provide a financial reward scheme for drivers with the highest composite scores.

Could Hong Kong’s taxi industry be vastly improved through some of these initiatives which could minimize complaints and incentivize drivers to improve their service? Singapore currently employs several similar strategies and should be further assessed whether some might be adopted for use in Hong Kong.

CARDBOARD GRANNIES

OBSERVATION: The recycling of cardboard in Hong Kong is often via a grassroots army of elderly and often impoverished “cardboard grannies” who can be seen pushing massive carts of cardboard across town to scrap collectors, which often use roadways for loading and sorting activities.

SOLUTION: Provide dedicated purpose-built Community Recycling Centers to minimize travel distances, incentive the public to participate in recycling programs, and provide financial assistance to the elderly.

Daily life in Hong Kong: Elderly citizens pushing trolleys piled high with cardboard

One of thousands of elderly citizens with recyclables in tow.

In 2017, it was estimated that 340,000 people over the age of 65 were living in poverty. The income disparity that exists in Hong Kong today is exemplified by the many elderly low-income residents — predominantly women — who have become urban scavengers to make ends meet. According to recent studies, many of these “cardboard grannies” ranging in age from 60 – 80 haul up to 70kg of cardboard a day for a meager payout of only HK$50 (US$6.40).

The current ad-hoc system pays on the basis of weight, which often has these entrepreneurial grannies wasting precious water to soak their cardboard to increase its weight — and the corresponding payout.

Scrap collection centers often use public sidewalks and roadways for their operations, inconveniently blocking pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

Scrap collection areas in the urban areas are often cramped within tiny ground floor recesses of buildings, necessitating the use of sidewalks and roadways (technically Government Land) for loading / unloading, sorting, and breaking down various components by hand before consolidation in cardboard balers and glass crushers. As a result, in some areas young children walking between residential areas and public transport interchanges often need to “run the gauntlet” along sidewalks strewn with twisted metal, broken glass and other hazards.

Could there be a better way?

Could purpose-built Neighborhood Recycling Centers be established to minimize travel distances, encourage all residents to recycle, and provide safe passage along the city’s sidewalks?
Could financial incentives be provided as motivation for people to recycle … instead of leaving this to the financially challenged elderly?
Could additional financial assistance be provided to the low-income elderly to relieve them of scavenging in their golden years and enjoy retirement?

RESTAURANT HYGIENE RATINGS

OBSERVATION: Hong Kong is a foodie paradise with dining options ranging from the humble Dai Pai Dong to legendary Michelin-starred restaurants. Unfortunately, the hygienic condition of kitchens are woefully overlooked and are often not commensurate with the quality of the outlets they serve — unbeknownst to diners.

SOLUTION: Supplement the existing Government food licensing requirements with mandatory food hygiene certificates to visibly grade each food and beverage establishment for the general public.

The condition of restaurant kitchens in Hong Kong range from spotless and well-maintained commercial kitchens to vermin-infested grimy pantries which give rise to frequent cases of food poisoning. As the kitchens of many establishments are out of sight to restaurant patrons, a mandatory annual food hygiene certification scheme with a requirement for a certificate to be posted at the outlet entry would provide customers with an informed choice, raise the level of kitchen hygiene across the territory, and might assist in reducing unnecessary food-borne illnesses.

This straightforward UK-based numerical certification system could be easily adopted in Hong Kong.

Annually-issued numerical ratings for each outlet could also be included in food apps such as OpenRice, and would very likely incentivize some restaurant owners to “clean up their act” if they want to remain in business.

VICTORIA HARBOUR WATER TAXIS

OBSERVATION: Water crossings across Hong Kong’s busy Victoria Harbour are primarily restricted to a handful of ferry piers, while lateral travel along the coastline is limited to land-based public transportation options.

SOLUTION: Could a new water taxi system be provided along the length of both sides of Victoria Harbour to provide more flexible water transportation options?

Travel along the edges of Victoria Harbour is largely limited to land-based public transportation options; however, could Hong Kong emulate Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River water taxi system, which provides convenient water transport for millions?

Could a water taxi system along the edge of Victoria Harbour provide convenient transport options? Imagine tourists arriving at Kai Tak Cruise terminal traveling to a seafood dinner in Lei King Wan in just a few short hops by water taxi.

If Hong Kong Island ‘s waterfront were to be improved with a continuous pedestrian promenade, this promenade could be punctuated by water taxi stops at various intervals to provide efficient lateral transport along the coastline without reliance on land-based transportation systems. Could these relatively small watercraft be electric-powered and non-polluting to reduce the net amount of pollution ordinarily associated with vehicular public transportation?

Select cross-harbour water taxis could also supplement the widely-used current Star Ferry routes by running between less frequented piers.

KOWLOON TRAMS

OBSERVATION: Hong Kong’s historic trams continue to ply the north coast of Hong Kong island and provide an affordable and scenic public transportation option, while Kowloon has fewer options.

SOLUTION: Could a new tram system be created in Kowloon linking Tsim Sha Tsui with districts further to the north?

Hong Kong Island’s beloved and iconic trams have been in operation since 1904 and are currently operated by Hong Kong Tramways Limited. Could a new tram network be created to provide an affordable high-density transport option through some of Kowloon’s most populous neighborhoods and reduce vehicular traffic?

Pending a feasibility study, such a tram line might mirror the alignment of the MTR line beneath Nathan Road and Cheung Sha Wan Road. A southern terminus of a new tram line might be provided at the Star Ferry in Tsim Sha Tsui, with services extending to Jordan, Yau Ma Tei, Mongkok, Prince Edward, Sham Shui Po, Cheung Sha Wan, and Lai Chi Kok, with a terminus / depot in Mei Foo.

SAI KUNG FERRY

OBSERVATION: Sai Kung, located in Hong Kong’s New Territories, is plagued with very limited access from the urban areas, yet is equipped with a public pier.

SOLUTION: Provide a new ferry service between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon to Sai Kung to improve access for residents and visitors.

Sai Kung is often a favorite weekend destination for tourists and residents.

Access to Sai Kung from Hong Kong’s urban areas is primarily by road, and getting to this picturesque seaside community — especially during busy weekends — is often a complete nightmare for both residents and visitors alike.

Sai Kung is equipped with a public pier that currently accommodates a wide variety of Kaitos, sampans, speedboats, ferries and junks that provide daytrips to nearby islands, the Hong Kong Geopark and surrounding areas. While the concept of providing regular ferry services linking Sai Kung to the more populous urban areas has been discussed in the past, the financial viability of operating such a regular ferry service has often been cited as problematic.

Could the Government provide subsidies to a private operator — at least during weekends — to provide an alternative transportation option to and from Sai Kung that is not reliant on road access?

NEW TERRITORIES LOST VILLAGES

OBSERVATION: Abandoned traditional villages throughout Hong Kong’s New Territories have fallen into various states of decay, many of which are in ruins and shrouded with vegetation.

SOLUTION: Rebuild and revitalize these “lost villages” for residential or tourism use — could some of these redeveloped villages become new artist’s colonies or retreats for weekend staycations?

One of countless abandoned buildings scattered throughout the New Territories

Many abandoned buildings are slowly being swallowed up by nature

Hong Kong’s New Territories are littered with the remains of once inhabited traditional villages which have long since been abandoned. Land ownership issues are often complex and many of these former villages lack electricity, a water supply or waste treatment facilities. Some of these crumbling villages have become major eyesores for tourists and resident hikers, and often have become dumping grounds for all manners of waste from surrounding communities.

However, could the Government — in a public-private partnership — spearhead an effort to rebuild and revitalize some of the more accessible “lost villages” to function as temporary or permanent accommodation? Could some of these forgotten villages be redeveloped into affordable artist’s colonies, or spiritual retreats to escape the pressures of urban living? Could these villages become self-sufficient off-the-grid developments using sustainable energy solutions?

Could such revitalized villages also become an important piece in the tourism jigsaw puzzle by serving as a showcase for Hong Kong’s culture, history and traditions for both residents and visitors?

TAXI PAYMENT SYSTEMS

OBSERVATION: Hong Kong’s fleet of taxis are the only form of public transportation where Octopus cards are NOT accepted in what is quickly becoming a cashless society.

SOLUTION: Provide incentives for all taxis to be equipped with Octopus readers and credit card contactless readers; usage fees could be waived or subsidized to provide a seamless payment system for tourists and commuters across the city.

What if taxis were equipped with Octopus card readers? What if they could accept credit cards?

Hong Kong’s trams, buses, minibuses, ferries, MTR, Light Rail, Peak Tram, and virtually all other methods of public transport systems are equipped with Octopus Card readers which offer a seamless method of cashless travel across the city — with the glaring exception of the city’s taxis.

Is it really so difficult to install Octopus readers throughout the city’s beleaguered taxi fleet in an otherwise efficient city? Recurring objections from taxi drivers have typically included complaints about fees and delays in payment associated with such systems. Provided that fees could be subsidized or perhaps waived, how many extra trips per day could a driver make in the time wasted for fumbling for change and arguing about whether or not to accept HK$500. or HK$1,000 banknotes throughout a driver’s day?

As a comparison, Singapore’s taxi fleet is equipped with credit card readers allowing them to accept several types of credit cards, despite a 10% surcharge — in addition to cash.

MORE PUBLIC TOILETS

OBSERVATION: Hong Kong has a shocking lack of public toilets relative to its urban density. The few toilets that are provided are often in a grave state of disrepair, but most of the time, the question on everyone’s mind is … when you gotta go, where do you go?

SOLUTION: Upgrade existing dilapidated public toilets and provide new toilets at strategic street level locations that are easily accessible and identifiable through a new graphic signage system and linked with smartphone apps.

Many of Hong Kong’s public toilets are in a state of disrepair and lack vandal-resistant, durable materials.

Some public washrooms are only accessible by a flight of stairs — if you’re in a wheelchair, you’re literally up s**t creek!

Hong Kong’s public toilets are often few and far between, and while these are generally under the purview of Hong Kong’s Food & Environmental Hygiene Department (FEHD), the hygienic condition of these facilities is often appalling, and some are completely inaccessible to the elderly or those with disabilities. The directional signage for these toilets is often antiquated or missing, with text in English and Chinese only.

In the more developed urban areas of Hong Kong, people have come to rely upon nearby shopping centers which have toilets sequestered away on upper floors — reserved for tenants and customers — and many are locked and require key access to prevent members of the public from stealing valuable rolls of toilet paper! Since most public transport facilities like the MTR lack public toilets, the location of toilets within close proximity are often a carefully guarded secret — a nightmarish scenario for first-time visitors to the city. Ideally, members of the public should have DIRECT access to public toilets, without needing to enter private premises to “do their business.”

It is any wonder that visitors’ children end up urinating in trash bins, and baby nappies are changed in dark corners of public areas, as passersby howl in protest?

IMAGINE breathing a sigh of relief and your bladder relaxing as a new era of public toilets is ushered in! While the FEHD is making slow progress, here are some ideas:

Provide an urgent comprehensive upgrade to the city’s public toilets, relative to fixtures, finishes, lighting, durability, vandal-resistance, accessibility and ventilation.
Ensure all transportation interchanges (bus terminals, MTR stations, etc.) are equipped with public toilets.
Provide at least one unisex disabled / family toilet at each public toilet location equipped with a flip-down diaper-changing table.
Strive to have public toilets located within a 500 m walk of most public areas.
Commission a study and provide new public toilets at key hotspots.
Provide a new universal graphic signage / wayfinding system throughout the city that clearly identifies routes to toilets. Consider colorful pictograms that do not rely on English or Chinese script, which can be universally comprehended by visitors from any country.
Develop a smartphone app that automatically identifies the location of public toilets relative to one’s location, provides real-time status reports whether the toilet is closed for cleaning or renovation, and provides a feedback mechanism for the public to rate toilets and provide helpful suggestions to the FEHD and their cleaning contractors.

TRANSITIONAL FLOATING HOUSING

OBSERVATION: Tens of thousands of Hong Kong residents live in appalling conditions; affordable housing is not being constructed quickly enough to keep up with demand.

SOLUTION: Create floating transitional residential communities in select protected waterways along Hong Kong’s coast to address Hong Kong’s housing crisis.

EMERGENCY ACCOMMODATION:

Could this system of rapidly-deployable accommodation be set up in times of emergency, where quarantine camps or emergency housing is required following unprecedented outbreaks of disease or other natural disaster?

Relative to functioning as a scalable quarantine facility for unexpected events like the COVID-19 virus of 2020, these floating communities could be relatively self-sufficient, become relatively isolated from populated areas and contain emergency field hospitals / clinics within each set of barges — in addition to providing recovering patients with plenty of fresh air.

PUBLIC GREEN WALLS

OBSERVATION: Hong Kong’s often disappointing public spaces are sometimes bordered by mundane elements of the built environment that further demoralize residents who live there.

SOLUTION: Provide a network of public green walls to beautify the built environment, enhance residential communities, increase property values, assist in stormwater management, and purify the air.

This large retaining wall along Taikoo Shing Road faces a popular park fronting One Island East and epitomizes the concept of a “concrete jungle”.

Could this utilitarian retaining wall become a public green wall to beautify Taikoo Shing and potentially assist in stormwater management from the retaining wall’s weepholes? Could the plants help purify the air along this busy road?

SPEED BUMPS

OBSERVATION: Many Hong Kong drivers — most notably taxi drivers — have a propensity for sailing through marked pedestrian crossings at high speeds, completely ignoring pedestrian safety.

SOLUTION: As in many other global cities, install speed bumps or provide new raised pedestrian crossings as traffic calming measures to force vehicles to slow down.