HKGBC Guidebook on

Urban
Microclimate
Study
Summary Booklet

Funding Support

T: +852 3994 8888

E: [email protected]
W: www.hkgbc.org.hk
The full version of the Guidebook is available on https://www.hkgbc.org.hk/eng/guidebooks.aspx
Guidebook on
Urban
Microclimate
Study
Summary Booklet

© 2017 Hong Kong Green Building Council Limited

All Rights Reserved
Published and Printed in Hong Kong
Disclaimer
The information provided in the HKGBC Guidebook on Urban Microclimate Study (“this Guide”) including but
not limited to all text, graphics, drawings, diagrams, photographs and compilation of data or other materials,
is only reflective of the situation as at the time stated or prepared and is for general reference and indicative
Table of Contents
purpose only. Hong Kong Green Building Council Limited (“HKGBC”) makes no guarantee, representation
or warranty as to the truthfulness, timeliness, accuracy or completeness of this Guide or of the information
and the data gleaned from the other sources in the preparation of, and asset out in, this Guide. References
to and of sources do not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by HKGBC of the third parties or
their products/services (if any).Whilst reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this Guide,
this Guide is provided “as is” and “as available”. HKGBC accepts no responsibility for any errors (negligent or
otherwise) in this Guide. Furthermore, HKGBC will not accept and shall not be responsible for any liability
whatsoever (whether in tort, contract or otherwise) for any loss or damage that maybe caused to any person
Introduction 1
howsoever arising from the use of and/or reliance on this Guide. To the fullest extent permitted by law, HKGBC
expressly excludes any warranty or representation of any kind, either express or implied. Moreover, any cost
and predicted performance mentioned in this Guide are intended for guidance and reference only and in
no way constitute advice or an offer. These cost information and estimations are based on a simplified and
idealised version of a building and circumstances that do not and cannot fully represent all of the intricacies
31 Strategies at a Glance 4
of the building in operation. The actual performance may be influenced by factors such as but not limited
to weather, construction and fit-out, performance of plants and facilities, operation and maintenance, etc.
Prior to carrying out minor works and environmental improvement of the building, the landlords, tenants
and occupants should consult an Authorized Person under the Buildings Ordinance, Cap. 123 on the choices
of green features to be adopted and on relevant statutory requirements. The links to external websites listed
Guidelines for Urban Microclimate Design
in this Guide are provided purely for the convenience of reference. Their inclusion here does not constitute
an endorsement or an approval by HKGBC of any of the products, services, or opinions of the organisations
or individuals concerned. HKGBC bears no responsibility for the accuracy or the content of external sites
or for those of the subsequent links, and does not accept any responsibilities for any loss and/or damage Wind 5
whatsoever arising from any cause whatsoever in connection with these websites to the extent permitted by
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with this site and are advised to verify such information by making reference to its original publication and
obtain independent advice before acting on it. To the maximum extent permitted by the applicable law,
Thermal Radiation 9
HKGBC shall not be liable in tort, contract, or otherwise for any losses, damages, demands, claims, judgments,
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which may arise in relation to this Guide and the contents therein. This clause applies irrespective of whether
Temperature 11
or not HKGBC was advised of or should have been aware of the possibility of such losses to you.

All intellectual property (including but not limited to any copyright, trademarks, service marks, logos, trade Precipitation 15
names, corporate names, Internet domain names, patents, designs, database rights, rights in designs,
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damages and obtain relief for any past, current or future infringement, misappropriation or violation of any of
the foregoing rights) and the rights in this Guide(“Intellectual Property”) belong to HKGBC, unless otherwise
stated. You have no right to use any of HKGBC’s Intellectual Property. You may not copy, distribute, modify,
Acknowledgements 16
transmit, publish or use this Guide in any manner for public or commercial purposes without prior written
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 Introduction
In Hong Kong’s high-density and subtropical environment, comfort is an In the Guidebook, the science and principles of urban microclimate studies
important factor in people’s use of the outdoor space. The intense Urban Heat are introduced, followed by 31 strategies that suit Hong Kong’s environment.
Island (UHI) effect in Hong Kong means high temperature in built-up areas and Overseas and local good practices are reflected on, and recommendations for
uncomfortable urban living. It leads to heat stress and other related health policy adjustments and further studies are made.
problems. The issues of health and comfort in the outdoor space become even
more complicated in face of the challenges brought about by climate change.

The building industry plays an important role in the improvement of the

This booklet is intended to give readers an overview
of the strategies introduced in the Guidebook. It also
serves as a handy reference for practitioners. Readers
31
urban microclimate, for example, by using lighter colours in façades, providing are encouraged to seek further understanding of urban
shading, and incorporating greenery. The improved and more pleasant outdoor the concept of urban microclimate by reading the
environment will in turn attract more visitors, reduce energy use in buildings original Guidebook. The intent and points to note microclimate
and enhance the enjoyment of natural ventilation indoor. in the implementation of each strategy are also
stipulated there.
design
The goal of the HKGBC Guidebook on Urban Microclimate Study is to give the strategies
industry’s professionals and practitioners the inspiration for and knowledge of With better understanding of the dynamics between
urban microclimate design. The ideas introduced in the Guidebook will facilitate the built environment and the microclimate, and categorised
their communication with specialists. improvement in awareness in the building industry,
Hong Kong’s urban living will become more
into 8
comfortable and healthier. approaches
1 2
 31 Strategies at a Glance
1. Manipulate layout massing to increase wind flow
2. Wind corridor to align with the prevailing wind
3. Connect open spaces Increase
ventilation
4. Arrange buildings to channel wind with site
5. Building setback planning
6. Increase permeability of building blocks/ no wall building
7. Stepped building height profile Wind
8. Increase building permeability
9. Permeable sky garden Increase
ventilation
10. Reduce building frontage
with
11. Ventilation bay/ permeable podium building
12. Reduce ground coverage design
13. Increase ground zone air volume
14. Provide shading for pedestrian activities
Reduce
15. Provide tree canopies
direct solar
16. Manipulate building façade design to provide shading radiation
17. Shade openness by building blocks Thermal
18. Use cool material for ground surface radiation
Reduce
19. Green wall to reduce façade surface temperature surface
20. Increase albedo in buildings temperature
21. Increase sky view factor to improve night cooling
22. Water features to increase evaporation
23. Green wall to increase evapotranspiration Increase
evaporative
24. Greening to increase evapotranspiration cooling
25. Use permeable paving
26. Increase ventilation to carry away heat energy Temperature
Reduce heat
27. Allow downhill wind flow
accumulation
28. Allow sea breezes
29. Reduce anthropogenic heat discharge near pedestrian area Reduce heat
30. Reduce thermal mass heat storage of building materials release
31. Provide cover for rain protection Provide rain Precipitation
protection

3 4
 Wind >15m >15m

Increase ventilation with site planning

<30O

>7.5m

05 Building setback 06 Increase permeability of building

blocks/ No wall building

H/W > 4
not effective
01 Manipulate layout massing 02 Wind corridor to align
to increase wind flow with the prevailing wind

< H/2 H

H/W < 2
effective
When buildings cannot be arranged
to channel wind flow and a stepped
07 Stepped building height profile building height profile cannot be
adopted, a height-width ratio of less
04 Arrange buildings to channel wind than 2 is recommended.
03 Connect open spaces
5 6
 Increase ventilation with building design

11 Ventilation bay/ permeable podium

08 Increase building permeability 10 Reduce building frontage

13 Increase ground zone air volume

H>3m

12 Reduce ground coverage

09 Permeable sky gardens

7 8
 Thermal Radiation Reduce surface temperature
Reduce direct solar radiation
15 Provide tree canopies

19 Green wall to reduce façade surface temperature

17 Shade openness by building blocks

14 Provide shading for pedestrian activities 18 Use cool material for ground surface

20 Increase albedo in buildings

21 Increase sky view factor to improve night cooling

16 Manipulate building façade design to provide shading

9 10
 Temperature
Increase evaporative cooling

23 Green wall to increase evapotranspiration

24 Greening to increase evapotranspiration

22 Water features to increase evaporation

25 Use permeable paving

11 12
 Reduce heat accumulation Reduce heat release
26 Increase ventilation to carry away heat energy Example:
Private vehicle
restriction in
Discovery Bay

Example:
Innovative ventilation is
used at Green Atrium to
introduce cooler fresh
air from the outside to
the semi-open space for
dining use. 29 Reduce anthropogenic heat discharge near pedestrian area

27 Allow downhill wind flow

28 Allow sea breezes

30 Reduce thermal mass heat storage of building material

13 14
 Precipitation Acknowledgements
Provide rain protection
Funding support:
Construction Industry Council

HKGBC Policy & Research Committee (P&RC):

Mr LEUNG Man-kit (HKGBC Director cum P&RC Chairman) - Ronald Lu & Partners (Hong Kong)
Ltd.
Ir Antonio CHAN (HKGBC Director cum P&RC Vice Chairman) - REC Engineering Co. Ltd.
Dr Benny CHOW (HKGBC Director) – Aedas Ltd.
Ms Ada FUNG, BBS, JP (HKGBC Director) - Hong Kong Housing Authority
Mr Samuel KWONG (HKGBC Director) - John Swire & Sons (HK) Ltd.
Mr Robert LAM (HKGBC Director) - Wong & Ouyang (HK) Ltd.
Prof. Edwin CHAN (Founding member representative) - The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Ir LEUNG Chi-shing (Founding member representative) - Turning Technical Services Ltd.
Ir Sunny CHAN - Hysan Development Company Ltd.
Prof. Thomas NG - The University of Hong Kong
Ir Edward PONG - Shiu Wing Steel Ltd.
Sr Kenneth POON - LESK Solutions Co. Ltd.
Ir Kenneth SIN – Aurecon Hong Kong Ltd.
Ir Clarence TZE - MTR Corporation Ltd.

Ex - HKGBC Policy & Research Committee (P&RC):

Ir Dr Otto POON, BBS, OBE – Atal Engineering Ltd.
Prof. John NG

HKGBC Steering Committee of HKGBC Guidebook on Urban Microclimate Study:

Dr Benny CHOW (Convenor) – Aedas Ltd.
Dr Eva FUNG - Swire Properties Ltd.
Ms Yvonne IEONG - Y.I. & Associates Ltd.
31 Provide cover for rain protection Dr LEE Tsz-cheung - Hong Kong Observatory
Ir Edward PONG - Shiu Wing Steel Ltd.
Ir Dr James WONG - Allied Environmental Consultants Ltd.
Mr Stephen YIM – Hong Kong Housing Authority

Advisors:
Mr Clarence FUNG - Hong Kong Housing Authority
Mr Junkers LAM – Buildings Department
Mr Thomas LEUNG - Buildings Department
Prof. LING Kar-kan, JP - The University of Hong Kong
Mr Edmund LIU - Water Supplies Department
Mr Paul WONG - Environment Bureau
Mr WONG Wai-kwong - Architectural Services Department

15 16
 Acknowledgements
Supporting organisations involved in the stakeholder engagement workshops in the
development of the Guidebook:

AECOM Asia Company Ltd.

Allied Environmental Consultants Ltd.
Aurecon Hong Kong Ltd.
BMT Asia Pacific Ltd.
Buildings Department
Chinachem Group
Department of Building Services Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Development Bureau
Electrical & Mechanical Services Department
Energising Kowloon East Office
Great Eagle Holdings Ltd.
Henderson Land Development Ltd.
HK Electric Co. Ltd.
Hong Kong Housing Authority
Hongkong Land Ltd.
Meinhardt Infrastructure and Environment Ltd.
Nan Fung Group
New World Development Company Ltd.
New World Project Management Co. Ltd
Professional Green Building Council
Ramboll Environ HK Ltd.
Swire Properties Ltd.
The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyor
The Jardine Engineering Co. Ltd.
The University of Hong Kong

Copyright Notices
All rights reserved. Companies or organisations may use any part of the Guide they find appro-
priate for the purpose of training of a non-profit making nature. No reproduction or reprint of
the contents is allowed for commercial applications without prior written authorisation from
the Hong Kong Green Building Council Limited (Hong Kong Green Building Council).

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