Planning

Planning is better than cure. The Government has prescribed standards with due regards to noise in planning new development or redevelopment projects.

The Government has been taken a more active environmental participation in the land-use and infrastructure planning process since the mid-eighties to pre-empt noise problems. For example, proponent of new roads are required to go through the Environmental Impact Assessment process to ensure that existing and planned noise sensitive receivers such as residential dwelling and schools are protected from excessive traffic noise. This requirement has become statutory when the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance commenced in April 1998. Further, every opportunity for noise improvement during urban re-development will be seized so as to improve the noise environment through environmental friendly urban design.

For Statistics on Noise Planning Advice/Cases, please click here .

Examples of proper planning to avoid or solve noise problems abound in the territory

When the Kai Tak Airport was operating, about 380,000 people were affected by extreme noise of up to 100 decibels from aircraft less than 100 metres overhead, as the airport was surrounded by residential blocks. The relief came when the airport was relocated to Chek Lap Kok in mid 1998. Today, the number of people exposed to severe aircraft noise is about 200. The aircraft noise impact will be further reduced with the forthcoming full commissioning of the Three Runway System and placing the South Runway on standby mode during night-time. For the NEF contours of 2030, please click here.

The North Lantau New Town is another example by which planning input from the Government during the early planning stage has helped to prevent future noise problems.

By deciding ahead of time where the airport, buildings, roads and railway would be, what directions they would face and what noise mitigating measures were needed, town planners, architects and Government officials have been able to ensure peace and quiet for Tung Chung residents.

The first task was to make sure airport noise did not affect residents. That was done at the start, in the design of the airport and the siting of the new town.

But the planning was more complicated for other noise, especially the North Lantau Expressway and the airport railway that need to be relatively near buildings in order to serve the residents. Therefore, planning works focused on arranging the layout of road and buildings to minimize the noise impact.

A major advantage for all involved was that they had more space and design options to work with. High-rise residential buildings were therefore located away from the roads and railway because distance can reduce the noise impact.

Noise tolerant buildings, earth bunds and barriers also helped to reduce noise. The expressway and railway were provided with noise barriers at strategic locations that cast a "shadow" within which noise levels were reduced. The shadow area closer to the road was used for low-rise facilities such as schools and open space.

These engineering solution were not the only goal. Tung Chung also had to be attractive for residents and visitors. In the case of open spaces, nobody wanted empty, unused blocks of land. So these areas were landscaped with trees, bushes and grass, and crossed with bicycle paths, walkways and other amenities.

Even the noise barriers were spruced up to make them more pleasant. Transparent barriers are used in some places so the view for residents, passengers and drivers is not disturbed. Please click on the demo button to see the details.

Earth bunds - little hills with grass and trees - are also used to block noise.

By planning ahead, noise affecting Tung Chung has been reduced and the town remains attractive. For residents of Tung Chung New Town, that means a peaceful sleep at night and pleasant views during the day.

Let us look at three more examples to see how proper planning helps prevent homes from exposure to excessive traffic noise. Please click on the demo button to see the details.