EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS OF GREEN BUILDINGS DEVELOPMENT CASE STUDY IN HUNG FUK ESTATE

Conceptual Framework 5 1. Statement of Purpose 8 1. Research Questions 9 1. Significance of the Study 9 Chapter Two: LITERATURE REVIEW 11 2. Introduction 11 2. Green Buildings and the Environment 23 2. PESTEL System of Evaluating External Environmental Factors 24 Chapter Three: METHOD 28 3. Introduction 28 3. Research Questions 28 3. Study Design 28 3. Noise Reduction 39 4. Efficient Waste Management 40 4. Water Saving Systems 41 4. Conservation of Materials 41 4. PESTEL Analysis of Hung Fuk Estate 42 4. Among these territories in Hong Kong, an autonomous territory in South Eastern China. Like most of the developing cities, Hong Kong foresees itself as being a smart city with a smarter environment. Part of this blueprint includes the establishment of environment-conscious green buildings. Due to the concrete, steel, and glass towers that line the city, Hong Kong is both the most and the least green cities in the world.

As a result, fewer banyan trees and saplings are visible among these towering buildings. Apart from the use of noise-mitigating technologies, in residential places, Public Housing Estates in Hong Kong are also utilizing natural means to mitigate the deteriorating biodiversity in Hong Kong. One of these measures involves the planting of trees in estates to increase the tree stock that’s lacking in the urban population (Zhang & Jim 2014, 272). Another rationale used by the Housing Authority is the construction of rental houses that self-regulate the carbon emissions, recycling materials, energy, and water saving initiatives, as well as regulating the internal micro-climates. In comparison to Asian countries, Hong Kong lags regarding building a sustainable city (Lam et al. p. Still, these projects adhere to within certain fiscal bounds that often sacrifice design creativity for manageable budgets.

While it is worth noting that green buildings are cheaper to construct today than it was possible a decade ago, a considerable amount of effort, funding, time, and resources are still required. At times, these projects are deemed as either unjustifiable for the public or too risky for the private sector to undertake. The costs of putting up a building should not be the sole determinant for the decision to go green in construction. Sustainability needs to be inherent in the designs, and not necessarily on how state of the art the building is. This study, therefore, seeks to identify these environmental factors that this public housing project faced and continues to face during the design and implementation stages respectively. In order to fully contextualize the Hung Fuk estate, this study will be divided into sub-categories.

These categories include an explanation of the green building concept, differentiation a smart building from a green building, and highlight the roles played by both the Hong Kong Green Building Council and the Hong Kong Housing Authority (Zuo & Zhao 2014, p. Also included is an analysis of the public housing project itself, and a scrutiny of the legal, environmental, technological, social, economic, and political factors. Statement of Purpose Eco-construction brings together a set of technologies, materials, and construction techniques all aimed at enhancing the environmental performance of a construction project. • What is a green building and how does it differ from a smart building? • What are the various components that constitute the green Hung Fuk Estate? • To what extent does the external environment affect the operation of Hung Fuk Estate? • How does PESTEL analysis come into play when analyzing Hung Fuk Estate in Hong Kong? • What are the challenges faced during the construction of public housing projects? 1.

Significance of the Study Social, environmental, and economic factors form the guidelines during the formulation and implementation of policies by the construction industry. As a result, more attention is being paid to how these factors influence the real estate, particularly with regards to the decision making on green buildings. It is from these external factors, that an investor, whether private or public can determine the viability of the project through the analysis of the construction costs, affordability, and the urge to reduce the environmental impacts of rental houses on the environment. By focusing on Hong Kong and Hung Fuk Estate to be exact, economic and environmental substantiation of these green constructions can be made. agree that a green building cannot be defined in one single way, but rather varies depending on a particular specialist (10).

Eco-builders consider a green building like that which uses natural materials in its construction, and above all, it has to conform to the wants of the humans in occupancy. Similarly, Ilhan and Yaman, 2016 explain that the eco-builders school of thought also considers where the materials used in the construction came from and the treatment of the same materials when they reach the end of their lives (26). On the other hand, energy-savings experts term a green building as a structure that minimizes as much as possible the amount of energy consumed both by the building and those in residence. The apartments, houses, and buildings ought to have enhanced thermal insulation throughout the frame of the building in question. Most of the time, a smart building and a green building are used interchangeably because of the lack of clear-cut differences between them (Ahvenniemi et al.

p. The basic components of the two buildings remain the same, with the difference only being the manner in which the individual structures’ components are monitored and controlled. A smart building also referred to as an intelligent building has a centralized management system to control the operations and manage the whole structure. The aim is to reduce as much as possible the energy requirements, labor costs while providing a safer working environment for the occupants than in conventional buildings. Originally, these buildings were deemed as costly, but this notion has so far dismissed because of the realization of various benefits unlike for non-green buildings. These benefits range from environmental to economic. Zuo and Zhao, 2014 identify the first benefit of green construction as being conserving of the external environment in which the construction is done (275).

By minimizing the amount of energy residential blocks use, the environment thus becomes cleaner than it was before. Also, green buildings reduce carbon (IV) oxide emitted into the atmosphere, these construction sites and the resulting structures lessen the climate change burden of human activities as well as residence. p. Instead of using toilet paper that increases sewer traffic, begets are supplied in the toilets. Part of the green architecture is the minimization of the energy, materials, and water used during construction and daily operations. Likewise, Eisenstein et al. explain that in a green building, the onsite composite bin is provided, which then reduces the amount of matter finding its way into landfills (828). The same applies to a residential block where the inhabitants breathe fresh air free of varnish, polish, and paints.

Green buildings achieve a healthy working environment through the utilization of air conditioning systems, operable windows for maximum air inlet, and the reduction of harmful elements that pose a health risk. Shareholders benefit from the provision of utility incentives from the government depending on where the green building in question is located. By making a point of lessening the strain on the environment during and after the building process, the government, in turn, provides incentives, local rebates, tax exemption, and grant to the property owners as an appreciation for the initiatives. Hong Kong Green Building Council To encourage investors to turn to green building construction, the Hong Kong government set up an agency in 2009 to develop and promote standards for the construction of sustainable buildings throughout Hong Kong (Gou & Lau 2014, p.

There are four-member councils under the main body, with each body having specific responsibilities. These founding members include the Construction Industry Council, the Business Environment Council, the Professional Green Building Council, and the Building Environmental Assessment Method (BEAM) (Dong & Ng 2015, p. The roles differ between these organizations, ranging from strategizing, and formulation of green building standards, professional training, as well as the promotion of corporate, social, and environmental responsibility. Of the four bodies, it is the responsibility of the Green Building Council to certify buildings that qualify as green after a series of assessments by the BEAM team of professionals. The Hong Kong Green Building Context Hong Kong is among the world’s iconic destinations because of the unique sub-tropical climate juxtaposed in the background with an expansive display of mountainous and hilly terrain.

p. The authority regularly enhances the different aspects of the residential services to cater for the variant attributes necessary for the qualification of a public residence as sustainable. These aspects include the air quality in the offices and estates, resource conservation, and energy efficiency. Established in 1973 under the Housing Ordinance, HA has the vision to help people from low-income backgrounds to afford to house. In the course of the provision of these services, the agency is guided by the delivery of housing assistance rationally and cost-effectively. By conducting these studies, the Housing Authority gets a better understanding of the environmental impacts each of the projects has on its surrounding. Usually, the studies are done on both ongoing and completed projects to create a better wind environment, reduce heat gain in housing blocks, make use of natural ventilation instead of relying on air conditioners, and utilize the abundant sunlight in the countryside during the day.

Leveraging the results from the micro-climate tests, each site is designed with a location-specific passive design. Low Carbon Design Part of the vision of Hong Kong is to reduce the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions by between sixty-five and seventy percent by 2030, with the year 2005 is the benchmark year for the adoption of these requisite initiatives. In line with these visions, HA is mandated to curb the emissions produced by the housing projects it undertakes and certify that the set mechanisms work for the rest of the project’s life cycles. These wastes are collected, thus facilitating appropriate recycling procedures of non-inert wastes. A database on the materials that qualify as inert and recyclable has been launched of late to act as a platform on which recyclers can refer to.

Modular design and pre-casting of building components such as rooftop water tanks and balconies save on materials, wastes, and costs. In the pre-casting of large elements and panel frames saves on tones of timber and successive wastes after use. Using Green Materials in Construction To lessen the environmental impressions of the erection process, the utilization of cement in the construction works especially in the manufacture of precast facades or staircases is a necessity. From the time it was launched in 2015 up to date, this project has brought a substantial population to an area that was once a sleeping town without feeling isolated or cut off from civilization. Therefore, the designers and contractors put in place a comprehensive list of retail opportunities and facilities for the occupant’s comforts in all of the nine blocks that comprises of this public rental houses.

Among the nine domestic blocks constructed in three phases are also a single storey commercial center, a three-storey building car pack for the residents, a kindergarten, a center for the elderly, and an integrated youth and children center. In total, the estate is projected to host a total of twelve thousand people. These aside, the estate has a bus terminus, a host of community facilities, a shopping center, and a market. Similarly, community farms in every estate require constant water supply to cut down on the carbon emission footprint of the rental houses. A zero-irrigation system uses water retention bowls wrapped on all sides with approved geo-textiles. These bowls are then arranged around the individual tree pits made of concrete with lead water pipes.

Water inspection points are included to allow for an automated system of monitoring the level of water in the compost fills in the concrete pits. For over twenty-four months these systems were in trial, they required no manual watering. According to Eastman, 2018 the building sector is one of the lead cause of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide (19). The different stages utilize energy from device operations, lighting, as well as the building process itself. This realization has forced construction stakeholders to rethink the whole sustainable building practices as an alternative to reducing energy uses which is the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Accordingly, authorities including that of Hong Kong have measures in place to encourage investors to revert to less environment straining construction procedures than before, to qualify for government subsidies, waste tax exemptions, and grants.

Multi-disciplinary teams are often organized to draft the ecological capacity of building designs, architectural effectiveness, and structural integrity of the designed green buildings. It is, therefore, important for executives of an organization to understand their surrounding political, environmental, social, technological, economic, and legal factors because of some reasons. First, the external environment contains the resources needed to effectively run an institution through the creation of services and goods. Resources such as labor, raw materials, and capital are sourced from the external environment. The lack of these would lead to the failure of the organizations as self-sufficiency is impossible to develop in modern-day society. Secondly, opportunities are formed by the external environment. In the twenty-first century, technological disruptions such as green and smart buildings continue to face businesses all over the world.

Without due anticipation and realignment to these technological changes, then businesses all over the world become incapable of keeping in touch with the ever-changing consumer needs. Fourthly, the external environment forms the regulatory environment under which most of the business organizations operate in (Indris & Primiana 2015, p. Green structures are controlled by government regulations that specify what specifications a building needs to meet to be certified as green. Initially, the requirements for certification may costly, the government does provide tax exceptions and grants for running the buildings, thus lowering the overall running costs of these sustainable housing. Chapter Three: METHOD 3. Introduction This chapter covers the research questions, study design, study context, participants, data sources, data collection, data analysis, ethical consideration, assumptions, delimitations, and limitations, and the study timeline.

Research Questions The key to the successful examination of the external environmental factors affecting Hung Fuk is the provision of answers to a series of fundamental questions. First, there is a need to have a better grasp of the green building concept, from which the manner in which the external environment comes into play can then be determined. • What is a green building and how does it differ from a smart building? • What are the various components that constitute the green Hung Fuk Estate? • To what extent does the external environment affect the operation of Hung Fuk Estate? • How does PESTEL analysis come into play when analyzing Hung Fuk Estate in Hong Kong? • What are the challenges faced during the construction of public housing projects? 3.

First, practitioners increase their conscious knowledge from the vast experience gained through the research. It is for this reason that this type of study is often referred to as a learning cycle. The sequences of the events all through the study occurs beyond the discretion of the researcher, meaning that the findings and recommendations are factual and not fabrications (George 2019, p. Case study methods of research are categorized into four distinct cases, with each being preferred over the other for the exploration of variant events. First, an illustrative case study describes events and situations in such a way that individuals reading the study becomes more familiar with the events being described than they were before. Obtaining detailed and accurate data will require the use of a multi-modal approach of data collection from the contractors, shareholders, tenants, and government agencies in charge of public rental houses.

After collecting the data, an appropriate data analysis technique will be determined. The consensus during the collection of data to be used in any kind of research question is either a coding procedure or having a holistic analysis of the derived data (Miles 2014, p. The former technique involves a wholesome interpretation of the data in its entirety, especially for research questions that are general, of which the data gives an overview. Some of the time, breaking the data into simpler groupings would yield more accurate results than generalizing the whole set of data. Also, researcher bias is often a drawback to contend with due to subjectivity. As a result, the results from the tests may not be representative of the actual picture.

And since a case study is in-depth, conducting large-scale research using a case study method becomes non-viable. Equally, questions are often raised concerning how reliable, valid, and general the results are. Even though flexibility is essential during research, it every so often leads to more confusion as new ideas arise, some of which are unexpected as the research is being conducted. In additions to relying on primary data from the site of the project, this research will also make use of secondary data from published peer-reviewed articles, governmental websites, and daily publications. Consequently an accurate illustration of the events leading to the conception of the Hung Fuk Estate, its planning stage, designing, construction, launching, and its subsequent efficiency regarding minimizing the environmental impacts of human activities.

Data Analysis Two methods may be used to analyze the collected data from the sources. These two include holistic and coding procedures. For this research, a holistic analysis method is ideal because it is a qualitative practice that’s is reflective and driven by processes for the delivery of a theory en-meshed knowledge through a constant relationship between methods and theory, researched objects, and the researcher (Hesse-Biber & Leavy 2006, p. However, what is essential is to judge the green building trends and not the ability to scrutinize statistical data and provoking reasoned debate. Assumptions and Study Limitations During the undertaking of this study, a couple of assumptions will be made in regards to the functionality of green buildings. First, the study assumes that Hung Fuk Estate equitably represents the greening aspirations of Hong Kong city.

Other public estates throughout the city and its surroundings have been commissioned by the Hong Kong Housing Authority to solve Hong Kong housing crisis currently facing the city. Presumably, these buildings have almost the same sustainability principles. What is Green and Smart Building Concept and the Hong Kong Relation? In recent practice, the terms green building, ecological design, and sustainable architecture constantly come up together with a host of other permutations as the quest for environment-friendly construction takes up shape. These modes of design are geared towards ensuring a healthy community. Despite the commonality of use, these terms are still relatively vague and ambiguous when it comes to the implementation. A green structure is referred to the building of structures and infrastructure in ways that reduce harmful ecological impacts, minimize resource usage, and improve the indoor air quality for the occupants of the structures (Samer 2013, p.

Green buildings display high environmental, engineering, and economic performances in their energy conservancy and efficiency, indoor air quality, occupant’s productivity, and health, and material utilization. Not to be confused with green buildings, smart buildings refers to green buildings with additional features for the control of the various components. The key component is the integration of an Information Technology infrastructure or a common network in centralizing the building controls. Once the network has been set up, an unlimited number of building systems, security, equipment, and procedures can be monitored at all times by a dedicated group of personnel. While Hung Fuk Estate does not qualify as a smart building, it does have some level of automation in how some of the systems are monitored, controlled, and executed.

Sustainable Components of Hung Fuk Estate Hung Fuk Estate is situated in the less densely populated Hung Shui Kiu, Yuen Long. To conserve water, the system is automated, so that a specific amount of water is used at the exact time the shrubs and trees need it. The design of the community lawns features an all-sand rootzone composition for excellent drainage and resistance to compaction. It is an innovative way of minimizing maintenance which would have otherwise imparted on the electricity and water bills. Energy Conservation Hung Fuk Estate planners have in place an array of measures to either maximize on the sub-tropical Hong Kong sunlight or promote renewable energy as a sustainable source of electric power. There is a total of two hundred and thirteen photovoltaic pieces for the generation of solar power which is then channeled to the residential blocks.

The designers oriented the domestic blocks in line with the easterly winds to enhance wind moving around the blocks, further aiding in the cooling process. Windows are fitted at strategic lobby heights for more natural ventilation around the common area blocks. Figure 3: Two-view Corridors Source: Hung Fuk Estate 2018, p. Noise Reduction The area surrounding the estate is crisscrossed by main roads and major highways that severely pollute the air with noise. Without measures to mitigate the elevated noise levels, tenants would have been uncomfortable due to the constant flow of traffic. To a great extent, the roofs are green too, as they shelter residents from wet weather, are naturally ventilated and use natural light during the day. Efficient Waste Management At every stage of the development of Hung Fuk Estate, efficient waste management practices have been prioritized.

During the design phase, modular design was adopted to cut on the amount of process waste. The use of flat modules permits pre-fabrication of products thereby reducing pollution and resulting process waste. Similarly, domestic floors feature a rotary symmetry to enhance the build ability. Water Saving Systems Hong Kong has an abundant supply of rainfall that has the potential to cut on reliance on ground and tap water for running the various systems in and out of the buildings. Before the creation of the estate began, the different stakeholders performed a water conservation study to determine the viability of rainwater for use in the irrigation system of the plants, shrubs, and community farms that would be put in place. For example, a zero-irrigation system and a modular concept of the same, root-zone irrigation, and drip irrigation systems save on water wastes compared to traditional sprinkler irrigation.

At the top of every domestic block, the rooftop is a system for harvesting rainwater. Every air-conditioning device has a way of collecting the condensate then re-directing the liquids to the green rooftop for irrigation. Overcoming these challenges takes concerted efforts from the government to construct smart cities capable of incommoding most of the citizenry while being sensitive to environmental impacts. The solution then is the construction of green buildings of which are ignited by a plethora of externally induced factors. Political Factors The government is the custodian of public kitty, making it the sole decision maker in the number of green buildings to be constructed in any given city. Similarly, it is the role of the government to formulate policies that govern the practices within the construction industry.

A government that opts to give special emphasis on the construction of sustainable cities then would reap from reduced environmental constraints. And since the project has the support of the political class through the Hong Kong Housing Authority and Green Building Council, more projects are set to follow suit as the government steps into reign in on the volatile real estate prices in Hong Kong. Economic Factors The construction of any building in Hong Kong is required enormous resources to buy the land, then apply for the required certifications, and finally acquire the construction materials. This high cost partly explains the reluctance of the private sector to invest in public housing schemes, which then leaves the public through the government as the chief financier of these projects.

Erecting a green building also depends on the willingness and the ability of the citizens to pay to stay in those houses. Whereas there is a possibility of having demand, the spending power may not be readily available for the constructed buildings. Other design considerations such as surveillance, comfort levels, and public lighting determine the capacity of the building to deter crimes, which improves its social status. In many countries, preferences of tenants are the main driving force behind greening endeavors of buildings. The same applies in Hong Kong where multi-nationals insists on leasing of office spaces in upcoming commercial buildings. As the craving for green buildings increases, tenants begin to associate more with these buildings to get social acceptance. Hung Fuk Estate is one such housing project that thrives on social acceptance of the society.

As newer technology arises, adopting these factors eases the strains put on the environment by the daily activities in the building. So, in effect technology forms the backbone of the Hung Fuk Estate and its preparedness for any future trends. To prevent the spread of diseases, the plumbing line form showers and wash basins are directed towards a revolutionary W-trap which is connected to the floor drain. This system inhibits the spread of epidemic diseases, germs, and foul air from floor to floor within the same building. Environmental Factors Green buildings have a sole purpose of reducing the environmental strain that human activities have on the environment. There are a couple of legal procedures and provisions that need to be adhered in for certification of a building as green.

During contract negotiations by interested contractors, HA and Hong Kong Green Building Council put in conditions in the contract that spell out certain conditions that have to be met first. Usually, these concerns the types of raw materials permissible for use, supplier certification demanded before supplied goods are accepted. Suppliers should always confirm the product specifications to ensure they conform to existing Hong Kong by-laws. Secondly, designers should have cover for their liability from negligent performances. However, it is also the most critical aspect of the projects that determine their success or failure rates. The external environment has the government and its agencies formulating rules and regulations that govern the construction of new housing projects. To promote the growth of green cities, politics becomes instrumental in the formulation of legislation that defines the reduction of carbon emissions, reduced energy use, energy efficiency, and carbon emission grants.

The external environment is also the provider of grants or fiscal incentives for stakeholders. These measures force the market to adopt sustainable solutions or sensitize the citizens on the essence of adopting sustainable solutions. Green buildings reduce environmental pollution while facing a fewer court of law cases for violation of fundamental human rights and contractual understanding. This paper has also identified how green buildings operate and how the external environment impacts on green building innovations. Recommendations The external factors that this study has identified need to be prioritized when studying the development of green buildings. Solving the glaring global warming problem starts with the enactment of simpler policy changes aimed at making living conditions sustainable through the incorporation of technological, legal, political, economic, and ecological aspects.

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