The Requirement

The Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS), a non-governmental organisation founded in 1948, is behind a number of quality housing schemes designed to protect the livelihoods of local special needs communities, in particular the elderly.

One of its 20 estates is Ming Wah Dai Ha, a development built in the 1960s comprising 13 blocks of about 3,100 units and covering a site area of 3.5 hectares.

The estate is being redeveloped to provide – among a range of other benefits – an improved living environment and quality of life of the elderly and ageing residents from low-income households. Redevelopment works are taking place in stages.

As part of the sustainable redevelopment measures, BMT was appointed by the lead consultant to assess the potential impacts on environment and infrastructures in order to fulfill local planning requirements, as well as take lead across a full range of assessment services including:

• environmental impact
• air ventilation;
• sewerage impact;
• drainage impact
• waterworks impact,
• tree survey

Our Approach

Given the proximity of Ming Wah Dai Ha to a major busy road, residential apartments were subject to adverse traffic noise impact. BMT addressed noise issues through the following combined measures:

• building setback
• optimised location of operable windows
• provision of acoustic windows

Additionally, using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to create sophisticated windflow simulations, BMT could identify the most effective measures for improving air ventilation. The recommendations were to increase building separation and to open up the ground level of residential towers for improved wind permeability at pedestrian level and open spaces.

Outcome and Benefits

Through BMT’s established track record in supporting property developments within Hong Kong, we were able to help clients achieve their goals in redeveloping a residential space that considers improved living conditions as well as future population needs.

The planning application for this phase of redevelopment of Ming Wah Dai Ha has been approved by Town Planning Board.