What is a screen building?

Generally speaking, screen buildings refer to several skyscrapers connected together in densely populated cities to block light and slow down wind speed. Pingfeng buildings are like screens.

Causes

Critics believe that the appearance of Pingfeng buildings is due to the lack of government urban planning and supervision when real estate developers develop new areas on the outskirts of the city. In order to maximize the use of expensive land, on the one hand, new buildings are developed to high altitudes, and on the other hand, the distance between buildings is minimized to form screens, making the old areas in the city become like a basin. In Hong Kong, Tai Wai, Tsuen Wan and Sham Shui Po are all facing this problem.

In addition, there are also opinions that the emergence of screen buildings is related to the relocation of the old Kai Tak Airport, the removal of height restrictions on buildings in the urban area, and the modification of building regulations, so that toilets do not need to be equipped with windows. Developers The design of one-ladder and eight-unit residential buildings can be changed.

There is also a view that the government has changed its land use practices in recent years and merged small streets and alleys into larger development areas, resulting in the construction of more floor areas while maintaining the same plot ratio. Eventually, A huge screen building.

Concept proponent

The screen effect was first proposed by the Changchun Society who opposed the project in 2004 when the Hopewell Group Wan Chai South Hotel was planned. It pointed out that the design of the hotel building was like a screen, which would Affecting the air circulation in Wan Chai District.

Since 2006, the environmental group Environmental Touch has launched many actions against screen buildings, and has advocated judicial reviews and protests at land sales sites to oppose the auction of land suspected of being used for building screen buildings. As a result, the auction transaction price is far lower than the real estate developer's forward price.

Impact

The screen effect means that the building is like a canopy, blocking the natural wind from entering and exiting. This causes the air in the city to become poor, "out of the sky", and sweltering, affecting the surrounding areas. The living environment, air quality, landscape and natural light of residents have weakened the air flow in relatively inland areas and raised temperatures, exacerbating regional air pollution problems and increasing the proportion of residents suffering from respiratory problems