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The Drainage Services Department (DSD) received two Awards in the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects (HKILA) Award 2021-23
12 April 2024
The Drainage Services Department received two awards at the "Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects 2021-2023 Awards" presentation ceremony held on 12 April 2024. The awards were presented to recognise the outstanding achievements by project team and landscape architects and to introduce the integration of aesthetics and science in landscape design to the public. The list of awards and winning projects are as follows:
Enhancement Works for Kwun Tong Sewage Pumping Station - Excellence in Public Development: Gold Awards
The DSD's project, 'Enhancement Works for Kwun Tong Sewage Pumping Station', won the Gold Awards in the HKILA Award 2021-23 under the category of 'Excellence in Public Development'. This project constructed an iconic landscaped deck (the Deck) which covered the sewage facilities underneath including an underground balancing tank. The Deck had been transformed into an open space of about 11,000 square meters and was opened to the public in August 2023. The Deck is themed with "Playful Nature" and has incorporated the following landscape design elements:
1. The planting palette includes both native and exotic species, and harmonises with the neighbourhood greening to create a continuous ecological corridor along Tsui Ping River area.
2. Butterfly-attracting plant species are placed to foster butterfly colonisation and allow children to see closely and learn the life cycle of a butterfly.
3. Planting visually interesting plants, such as Purple Fountain Grass within the play area, allows children to play and interact with the plants, and thus stimulating their sensory experience.
4. Large green terraced buffers are built around the site boundary, acting as stopover for birds and other insects as well as separating the Deck from the busy roads adjoining the site.
This pioneer project successfully blended "Not-In-My-BackYard" (NIMBY) infrastructure into the community, and integrated high standard landscape planning and design. Taking forward the initiative of "single site, multiple use", the project simultaneously enhanced the resilience and durability of the sewage conveyance system and provided a valuable public space for the community to enjoy, achieving a win-win situation.
Revitalisation Works of Jordan Valley Nullah - Excellence in Public Development: Silver Award
The DSD's project "Revitalisation Works of Jordan Valley Nullah" won the Silver Award under the category of "Excellence in Public Development". The DSD has revitalised the aged concrete nullah in Jordan Valley, Ngau Tau Kok, under the concept of "Rivers in the City". The about 330-metre long brand new Jordan Valley Channel comprising an upstream ecological channel, a downstream green river and the River Garden.
The DSD invited stakeholders to participate in various activities from 2019 to 2022 to promote the new concept of "Rivers in the City", including technical visits, face-to-face interviews, workshops, guided tours, project website, public consultation, promotion of native aquatic plants species and water friendly culture by launching a series of publicity activities, such as conference, school visits, flower show, lantern display, greening fun day, photography competition and media interviews, etc.
The biodiversity in the vicinity of the channel has been improved. The entire channel has further integrated with the community. The public now becomes more conscious about the multiple values of water resources. The Jordan Valley Channel is the first pilot river revitalisation project under the concept of "Rivers in the City" in Hong Kong and will become the blueprint for other river revitalisation projects of the DSD in future.
Secretary for Housing, Ms Winnie HO, JP (third from right), presenting Gold Awards under the category of Excellence in Public Development in the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects Award 2021-23 to representatives of the DSD project team