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3D tools facilitate public participation in EIA process
The environmental impact
assessment (EIA) process moves another step forward with the Environmental
Protection Department introducing the concept of three-dimensional
(3D) EIA public engagement tools and encouraging their adoption
by proponents of large-scale projects.
The Assistant Director of Environmental Protection (Environmental
Assessment and Noise), Mr Elvis Au, said today (October 17) that
Hong Kong was the first place in the world to do so to enable better
communication of EIA issues, make it easier for people to understand
complex projects and issues, and thus promote continuous public
involvement and stakeholder engagement.
He said that this was in line with the recent government policy
to promote public dialogue on major development projects and involve
them throughout project planning and implementation.
The first project adopting such tools in the EIA process will be
the department's Northeast New Territories Landfill Extension.
Traditionally, graphic outputs are used to illustrate the various
development scenarios. Likely impacts and mitigation options put
forward as part of the EIA process are in the form of two-dimensional
hardcopy plans or described in text.
This type of presentation, while sufficient to communicate information
to a technical audience, is not easily understood by non-technical
people. Thus, the public often find it difficult to understand a
project, give comments or offer suggestions.
With 3D public engagement tools, baseline environmental condition
can be illustrated by digital 3D models with easy-to-understand
visualisations.
As different options and their environmental performance can be
presented in 3D models through various coloured illustrations, graphics
or multi-media images or videos, people can easily visualise and
compare their advantages and disadvantages.
Mitigation measures can also be visualised prior to their construction
and implementation. People can appreciate the effects of such measures
and after having a better understanding of a project, they can make
use of the tools to offer suggestions, alternative options and mitigation
measures.
"Consensus can be developed through such information exchange, engagement
and informed dialogue process offered by the tools.
"Such an interactive process not only increases the transparency
of the EIA process but also facilitates scenario testing and more
efficient problem-solving," Mr Au said.
To promote the application of the 3D EIA public engagement process
and to disseminate the tools, the department, in conjunction with
various professional bodies and government departments, organised
two major seminars in May and June this year for more than 400 professionals,
officials, academics, consultants, community group members and interested
individuals. The responses were positive and encouraging.
The tools and the process were also presented to the Advisory Council
on the Environment in May this year. The council welcomed and supported
the tools and the continuous public involvement process.
To increase public awareness of the 3D EIA public engagement tools,
demonstrations for two fictitious projects including a road project
and a dredging project have been uploaded on the EIA Ordinance website
at www.epd.gov.hk/eia/3deia/index.html.
Copies of the disk containing the 3D demonstration of the EIA public
engagement tool can be obtained from the EIA Ordinance Register
Office on 27/F., 130 Hennessy Road, Southorn Centre, Wan Chai, Hong
Kong.
3D animations are used to illustrate the EIA for these two different
development scenarios that could potentially have noise, air, water
quality, visual and ecological impacts.
People are welcome to
try out the 3D tools to experience the essential phases of the EIA
process, including baseline condition studies, alternative option
studies, impact assessment and mitigation measures.
Apart from the 3D EIA public engagement tools, Hong Kong is among
the first few places in the world to provide web-based information
on environmental performance and EIA of major projects for access
by the public.
Hong Kong is the first and only place where the general public can
have access to full EIA reports and comprehensive environmental
monitoring and audit information through the Internet.
The use of real-time web cameras for EIA follow-up is also a world
first. Real-time cameras have been installed at selected major construction
sites since April 2002 so that the general public, the project proponents,
government departments and net surfers can monitor construction
progress and compliance with the EIA Ordinance.
Ends/Sunday, October 17, 2004
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