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SECTION
5 ASSIMILATIVE CAPACITY CAPITAL STOCK
| 5.4 |
Assimilative
Capacity of Air (including Noise) |
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Noise
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| 5.4.1.27 |
Noise
in Hong Kong has long been a source of nuisance
and has resulted in more complaints from
the public than any other form of pollution.
Noise can be classified according to a few
key sources which include construction works,
transport operations and operations from
other facilities such as industrial and
commercial premises. In this section, the
baseline noise situation has been described
according to transport and non-transport
noise sources.
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| 5.4.1.28 |
Noise
from transport operations is particularly
significant in Hong Kong. EPD estimated
that in 1997 around 1 million people were
affected by severe road traffic noise. Exposure
to excessive road traffic noise was also
examined in the CTS-3 studies (WSA 1999).
Whilst measures have been taken to intervene
in the planning of residential development
in terms of proximity to excessive traffic
noise (EPD 1998c) and in ensuring that new
transport schemes are adequately mitigated
(through the EIA process), around 12% of
future dwellings will be constructed in
locations subject to noise above the criterion
of 70 dB(A) (L10 (1 hour)). Despite planning
measures and improvements in building design
and insulation, pedestrians and others working
and living close to major urban roads will
continue to be exposed to high levels of
noise.
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| 5.4.1.29 |
The
relocation of Hong Kong's international
airport from Kai Tak in Kowloon to Chek
Lap Kok on Lantau in 1998 resulted in a
significant decrease in the number of people
exposed to high levels of aircraft noise.
By moving the airport, approximately 380,000
people who were previously affected by severe
aircraft noise, were relieved (EPD 1998c).
Nevertheless, concerns have been raised
recently regarding proposals to increase
flights (with the second runway brought
on line in June 1999) and to change flight
path approaches over Kowloon. Background
information on exposure to transport noise
in Hong Kong is provided in Annex
H1.
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| 5.4.1.30 |
Prior
to the SUSDEV 21 study, there was no comprehensive,
territory-wide and recent baseline information
on levels of ambient noise in Hong Kong. A
noise monitoring programme was therefore undertaken
(ERM 1999g) to provide an indication of the
prevalence of non-transport noise at receptors
close to various representative locations
including cargo handling areas, industrial
areas and transport terminals. |
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| 5.4.1.31 |
The
survey results (see Annex
H2) indicate that activities associated
with existing industrial areas consistently
resulted in the highest noise levels at residential
locations within 300 metres. It was estimated
that some 435,000 people are living within
300 metres from the six surveyed activities.
Among them, some 60,000 people would be exposed
to the higher cumulative noise from the nearby
sources. |
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| 5.4.1.32 |
Noise
impacts can also be addressed by reference
to the trends in the number of noise complaints
received each year by the EPD. This is particularly
the case for incidences of noise from construction
activities which are difficult to monitor
on a territory-wide basis. In 1997 a total
of 5,852 noise complaints were received by
EPD relating to five categories of noise nuisance:
construction (1,888 complaints), industrial
and commercial (2,484), neighbourhood (1,270),
transport (197) and product noise (13). This
compares with a figure of 7,441 noise complaints
in 1996, 6,858 in 1995 and 5,761 in 1994.
It should be noted, however, that the pattern
of noise complaints is often highly variable
and does not always appear to reflect the
actual noise climate in the area. |
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