New Territories towns could follow Kowloon East as 'smart districts'
Kowloon East to lead way in hi-tech initiatives aimed at creating a better living environment
New Territories new towns including Kwu Tung and Hung Shui Kiu might follow Kowloon East to become "smart districts", where people will make more informed choices and embrace a friendlier environment to live a better life, a planning official says.
The government is set to commission a study this year to look at the feasibility of applying global smart-city initiatives into Kowloon East, covering Kwun Tong, Kowloon Bay and Kai Tak.
The possible measures were outlined by Brenda Au Kit-ying, head of the Energising Kowloon East Office, in an interview with the .
Proposals under consideration by the office, set up under the Development Bureau, include automatic waste-sorting systems in future commercial buildings and forcing developers to construct greener buildings.
Other possibilities include allowing faster waterfront access by installing sensors at traffic lights, reducing the number of bus stops along Kwun Tong Road to improve air quality, installing panels showing parking availability, introducing historic industrial blocks on smartphone apps, and providing cross-harbour bike rental stations.
"While most people define 'smart city' as using more digital technology on a daily basis, we think smart living is also about shaping a more environment-friendly and social-friendly district," Au said. "We hope such a concept will also be extended to cover new towns in the northern New Territories."
