Development and application of specially designed windows and balconies for noise mitigation in Hong Kong

摘要

To cope with strong housing demand, the Government of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has been exerting tremendous effort in searching more housing sites. Many sites under searching are inevitably located close to various noise sources like heavily trafficked roads and some are separated by just 10 to 20 metres. To facilitate housing supply without compromising the living quality of future residents, Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has made reference to limited overseas studies and experiences in ventilating windows to come up with the concept of specially designed window, which can help reduce noise entering into the flat while meeting the statutory natural ventilation requirements in Hong Kong. In recent years, the EPD has been collaborating with Hong Kong Housing Authority who is responsible for planning and building public housing, to put the concept into application and to further develop another form of noise mitigation designs -specially designed balconies. These specially designed windows and balconies were demonstrated capable of offering significant noise reduction. This paper gives an account of the development of these specially designed windows and balconies and shares the experience in promoting and facilitating the private residential developers and other stakeholders to apply these designs in Hong Kong.