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The 2002 Sars outbreak in China focused global attention on the issue of poor air quality in major cities. The Hong Kong government responded by developing a mandatory air ventilation assessment framework for new master plans. The aim is to ensure that massing of new developments is specifically designed to enhance air ventilation at street level and avoid stagnant pockets of contaminated air. With 60% of China's population likely to be living in cities by 2020, the framework could have wide application beyond Hong Kong. This paper introduces the framework and looks at outdoor airflow in cities from a building aerodynamics standpoint. A number of measures are provided that can be adopted to improve and enhance air ventilation at pedestrian level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The new Kai Tak cruise terminal building in Hong Kong is sited on the picturesque reclaimed site of the city's former airport runway. Completed in 2013, the three-storey structure is made of a series of long-span bridge-like post-tensioned main box beams, which in turn support precast post-tensioned secondary beams. As described in this paper, the extensive use of precast and bridge erection methods enabled fast-track construction, such that the whole project was designed and built in 36 months. The multiple-use building design also adopted a '3S' concept of standardisation, simplification and single integrated elements. The landscaped roof deck contributes to the ecology of the area, and a 25% energy reduction was achieved by allowing natural daylight and natural ventilation into the interior, using a photovoltaic system to generate power and installing a solar hot-water system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]