HKU Jockey Club Enterprise Sustainability Global Research Institute
World-Class Hub for Sustainability
2. Case study: Future Climate Risks and Public Housing in Hong Kong
2.1 Site selection
We map the distribution of public housing units against 26 low-lying or windward areas susceptible to storm surges and waves. The results are summarized in Figure 6. The pentagram markers indicate units facing high typhoon and rising-sea-level risks. The red pentagrams represent low-lying areas with the highest rising-sea-level-rise. The blue map markers represent Hong Kong’s 239 public housing units. We observe that public housing units are predominantly located in these areas with relatively fragile infrastructure, making them more vulnerable to storm surges, waterlogging, and strong winds. The yellow pentagrams identify seven regions that would be severely affected by storm surges. The purple pentagrams represent three areas facing significant threat from overtopping waves.
Figure 6. Public housing exposed to climate risks and the locations.
Location Map of Public Housing and Risk Areas
Notes: The map shows the location of public housing units and areas prone to flooding or wind disasters in Hong Kong. Red pentagrams denote low-lying areas. Yellow pentagrams indicate regions susceptible to storm surges. Purple pentagrams represent areas vulnerable to overtopping waves. The blue map markers indicate all public housing estates in Hong Kong. (Data sources: Hong Kong Housing Authority, Drainage Services Department)
Table 1 provides the names of these public housing units, which we identify as high-climate-risk properties.
|
Public Housing Affected by Low-lying Areas |
Public Housing Affected by Storm Surge |
Public Housing Affected by Overtopping Wave |
|
Kwong Fuk Estate |
Tin Heng Estate |
Yee Ming Estate |
|
Wan Tau Tong Estate |
Grandeur Terrace |
Shin Ming Estate |
|
Po Heung Estate |
Tin Chak Estate |
Choi Ming Court |
|
Fu Shin Estate |
Tin Yat Estate |
Kin Ming Estate |
|
Tai Wo Estate |
Tin Yan Estate |
Sheung Tak Estate |
|
Tai Yuen Estate |
Tin Yuet Estate |
Ming Tak Estate |
|
Fu Heng Estate |
Tin Ching Estate |
Hau Tak Estate |
|
Fu Tip Estate |
Tin Wah Estate |
King Lam Estate |
For the following analysis, we select the public housing units affected by typhoons and sea level rise in these regions, highlighted in blue in Figure 8.
- Kwong Fuk Estate, affected by low-lying risks
- Tin Heng Estate, affected by storm surges
- Yi Ming Estate, affected by overtopping waves
Figure 8. Locations of the selected public housing units for research.
Location of Selected Public Housing
Notes: The map icons denote the location of various public housing estates, with the blue icons highlighting those near three specific risk areas. Areas identified include Kwong Fuk Estate in the Tai Po District, at risk of low-lying risks; Tin Heng Estate in the Yuen Long District, at risk of storm surges; and Yee Ming Estate in the Tseung Kwan O District, susceptible to wave overtopping. (Data sources: Hong Kong Housing Authority, Drainage Services Department)