Funded by Architectural Services Department, Hong Kong Government (Amount: HKD 1,950,000)
Impacts of Extreme Temperatures on Infrastructure
According to Hong Kong Observatory’s climate projection, the warming trend will continue for the rest of the 21st century. Even under the medium-low and medium-high greenhouse gas concentration scenarios, the number of very hot days will increase significantly, and the number of cold days will continue to drop. It is therefore necessary for Hong Kong to strengthen resilience to the increasingly warm weather with increasing heat extremes and reduce the impacts on the population and physical structures.
The objectives of the study are to carry out research to study the effects of extreme temperatures and their potential impacts on major Government infrastructures in Hong Kong; and to advise on the possible measures / action plans for consideration by the Government to alleviate the impacts in respect of Government infrastructures design under extreme temperatures. The team approached the study using a scoping approach based on existing literature and data. No study-specific experimentation, calculation or simulation had been conducted in this study. The study team has hoped to provide a generic and scoping understanding of the Study using a three-stage approach: (a) review, (b) impact understanding, and (c) initial recommendation and further work required
This 8-month study includes the impact of extreme weather on EIGHT focus areas: (1) Energy use, comfort and building design; (2) Urban built environment; (3) Building materials; (4) Highway structures and the associated elements; (5) Road pavements; (6) Coastal structures and facilities; (7) Waterworks structures and facilities; and (8) Stormwater drainage, sewerage and associated facilities.