How Could Rock Cavern Development Benefit Hong Kong

Content
The Drivers
How could Rock Cavern Development

Benefit Hong Kong ?
The Story so Far ?

Benefits of Existing Rock Caverns
Key Issues of Rock Cavern Implementation
On-going Rock Cavern Studies
Presented by
Mark Wallace (Director) Arup, Hong Kong
Possible Opportunities for Rock Cavern

Development
Conclusions
Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013
Housing and Development Needs Increased Population
By 2039:
The Drivers
Population growth
(2012 Projection)
2011
7.1M
2030
8.1M
2039
8.4M
(2012 Projection)
2011
2.4M
2030
2.9M
2039
3.0M
Housing
demand
Housing and Development Needs Economic Development
Housing and Development Needs Social Needs
Economic Development
Quality of Life
Four Pillar Industries: financial services,

trading and logistics, tourism, and
professional services have been the drivers
of HKs economic growth and jobs creation.
Publics aspiration to
improve the living
environment by
lowering building
density
having more open
space
conserving the
natural
environment
preserving culture
and heritage
Six industries actively promoted by the

Government: medical services,
environmental industries, testing and
certification services, education services,
innovation and technology, and cultural and
creative industries, also require land for
development.
To enhance our competitiveness, adequate

land should be provided for infrastructure
and business use.
Household growth
Population estimated to grow by

20%, reaching 8.4 million
number of households increase
to 3.0 million during the same
period.
Existing Land Supply Options
Rock Cavern Development

Overall Benefits of RCD :
Release valuable land for development
Relocate "Not-in-my-Backyard" facilities into cavern,

minimize adverse impacts on the community and
environment.
Rock excavated from caverns is usually high quality and

can be used as construction materials after processing
such as aggregates for concrete.

Previous Studies
The Story So Far ?
The Benefits of
Existing Rock
Caverns

Purpose-built Caverns in HONG KONG
MTR Railway Station

Rock Caverns
Tai Koo MTR Station
(1985)
Hong Kongs first Caverns in 1985
MTR West Island Line (WIL) Station Caverns
City Plaza
3.3km
MTR West Island Line University Station
Tai Koo MTR Station

Proposed West Island Line Sai Ying Pun Station, existing foundation
piles and rockhead level (red surface)
MTR Rock Cavern Stations

2No in mid 1980s
Tai Koo Shing Station
Sai Wan Ho Stations
5No from 2010 to 2015
WIL, Sai Ying Pun & University Stations

KTE, Ho Man Tin Interchange Station
SIL, Admiralty & Lei Tung Stations
Experienced Contractors
MTR Rock Cavern Stations Benefits / Constraints

Driven by Ground Conditions at node location for
Stations
Ease of Access, Convenient and Maximised Patronage
Less surface disruption
Dense urban areas
Remote construction access
Spoil not visible
Rigorous evacuation and fire safety procedures
New Technologies & Equipment

Dangerous Goods Storage
Kau Shat Wan Government Explosives Depot
Kau Shat Wan

Explosives Depot
(1997)
MTR WIL Explosives Magazine
Explosives niches for WIL including access adit excavation totals approximately 325 m in length and the main excavation
for each niche is approximately 4.2 m high, 5.5 m wide and 8.6 m long
Dangerous Goods
Meets demand for
Construction explosives
Firework storage
Operates safely and efficiently
High degree of security needed
Government Facilities
Away from the public
Refuse Transfer Stations

Hong Kong has the only one ??
Island West Transfer
Station
(1997)
BOT Scheme
Few complaints, ship noise and
refuse trucks
Nearby expensive properties
Water Storage Reservoirs
Western Salt Water Service Reservoirs, HKU

Relocated to make space for the Centennial Campus
Capacity = 12,000 m3 of water
Significantly minimized site formation works
Western Salt Water

Service Reservoirs
(2009)
Sewage Treatment Plants
Stanley Sewage Treatment Plant

Popn. Served = 27,000
Capacity = 11,600 m3 per day
No reclamation
Chlorination on site for outfall discharge
Nearby residents
Sha Tin Sewage Treatment Works
(Feasibility Study)
Existing Popn. Served = 630,000
Existing Capacity = 340,000 m 3 per day
28 Hectare site

Stanley Sewage
Treatment Works
(1995)
Key Issues of Rock

Cavern
Implementation
Underground Space Key Issues

Fire Safety
FSD / BD Requirements (Prescriptive v Fire Engineering Approach)
Fire Load
Fire Compartmentation / Ratings
Fire fighting systems / Sprinklers / Hydrants etc
Dedicated access, lifts and stairs
Smoke Extraction & Plant Requirements
Risk Assessment for Different Facilities
Fire and Ventilation Issues

Ventilation Requirements
Active / Passive Systems
Facility Type and Occupancy
Ventilation shaft locations
Size of Facility
Cooling for Certain Types of
Facilities
Air change requirements
Humidity control
Discharge air quality
Plant requirements for ventilation
Maintenance / serviceability

Access
During Construction
Operation of the Facility
Emergency Access for FSD
Existing road network capacity and integration / TIA
Access and Escape Issues

Means of Escape
FSD and BD Requirements
Min. two separate access / egress points
Simulation modelling for escape requirements
Lift, Escalator and Stair Capacities
Place of Ultimate Safety

Environmental
Environmental Issues
Sustainability and Innovative Energy Saving Uses

Light Tubes
Radon Gas
Lighting and natural light entry to the underground space
Trees at portals and shafts
Visual Impact Assessment and Landscaping
Country parks
Noise from portals or shafts
Air quality around air venting locations
Construction vibrations (eg Blasting)
31
Sizes of Rock Caverns in HK

17m
Layout and Configuration for

Efficiency
HKU Cavern Salt

Water Reservoir
(completed 2009)
27 to 28m
61m
24 to 26m
Various MTR Cavern

Stations, WIL, KTE, SCL
etc (to be completed 2013
to 2018)
From Are we prepared for Cavern Development in Hong Kong, Chan & Ng (2006)
Cavern Layout & Configurations
Cavern System Layouts & Configurations

Pillar & Stall System - Plan Layout
Rib System - Plan Layout
Useable Space Depends on Type of

Facility and Operational
Constraints, More Floors more GFA
2 x Footprint
Typical Section
Depends on rock strength / quality

Operational / process need
5 x Footprint
4 x Footprint
3 x Footprint
Cavern System Layouts & Configurations

1. Excavation costs including drilling, blasting, rock face scaling,
mucking out, spoil removal.
2. Rock support cost
3. Ground water / Pumping Cost ? (Now Grouting Costs Maybe)
100%
75%
Operation and Maintenance

Issues
72%
65%
65%
(1987 Prices)
O&M Perceived / Actual Difficulties

Kau Shat Wan (Special Case)
Some unlined tunnels needed additional support
Poor design detailing to cater for water seepages
Drained tunnel
Chamber doors water ponding in opening groove
Drip trays to catch water seepages
Humidity for long term storage (dehumidifiers not used often)
Vermin eating insulation of electric cables
Single marine access increasing costs
Land Issues
Stanley Sewage Treatment Cavern

Minor rockfall
Shotcrete lining installed after rockfall
Island West Transfer Station

Drip trays to catch water seepages
Overseas Example:
Land Ownership Review
JAPAN
A review will be conducted with respect to separate ownership of surface and underground
developments. It will focus on overseas examples and the local relevant Ordinances to
demonstrate how a framework can be structured.
Currently:
CAP438 Sewage Tunnels (Statutory

Easement)
HONG KONG
Deep underground (is a Japanese concept for the public use of deep underground, enabled by a
2001 law. It was first thought of in the late 1980s as Japan faced ever increasing land values in
the economic bubble, to allow the utilization of heretofore unused deep underground for
necessary water and utility ducts and other city tunnels.
Sea Level
40m
10m
Cuius est solum, eius est usque ad coelum et ad inferos
+ others, e.g. CAP 370 Roads (Work s, Use and

Compensation) Ordinance, CAP 357 Electricity Network s
(Statutory Easements) Ordinance, etc
It is important to note that nearly all

land in Hong Kong is lease hold
rather than free hold, up to 2047.
Foundation Founding Level
No private ownership
rights below this level
28
HK Legal and Land Issues

Key Issues
Strata resumption issues
3D definition of underground development
Potential loss of above ground development
Government land and urban fringe
Encroachment into Country Parks / Green Belt Areas
Multiple surface ownerships and Deeds of Covenant
Public Perception
Application to multiple underground ownership

What separation is required for a cavern development not to
affect the above-ground development potential / land value?
Should land ownership / development rights have a fixed
downward limitation?
What happens after 2047 when most current leases expire ?
Shotcrete Lined Public Use Caverns
Existing Use of Underground Space (MTR, >120K Tai Ko Shing / Day)

Not In My Back Yard approach to some facility types
Opposition to moving bad-neighbour, Refuse Transfer Stations, Refuse
Collection Points, Sewage Treatment, Oil / Petrochemicals, Incinerator
facilities, substations etc to above ground and even underground
locations near residential areas.
Generally underground perform better than above ground for nuisance
elements of the facility.
Overseas Experience of Working Underground

Underground School in New Mexico, Students suffered less
Respiratory ailments due to better control and filtration of air, no
greater absenteeism.
Sweden 1946 initial resistance and reports of fatigue, headaches
after several years became same as above ground workers. After 8
Years blood tests normal, although some psychological attitudes
remained.
When better lighting, ventilation and colour was added to the
underground environment complaints stopped.
American studies identified generally greater negative attitudes to the
underground.
Japan 25% of above ground workers thought that the below ground
would be a hindrance to achieving a good interior environment
although 60 to 85% of below ground workers thought it was OK.

Windowless Schools, Offices, Hospitals and Factories generally
had similar perceptions to working underground in various studies.
Function of Windows People with mundane jobs needed
windows more than others. Blind people had greater need for
windows than sighted people, hearing (wind / rain), smells.

Mitigation Techniques Used Elsewhere
Occupancy Patterns and Freedom of Movement
Type of Activity
Social contact and stimulation by internal activity
Size of space - Higher Ceilings, Central Atriums etc
How deep the underground space is ? Not too deep.
Quality of Interior Spaces Bright, Glass, Mulitlevel, Water Pools,
Plants, Artwork, Lighting Variation & Colour, LCD Screens
displaying outside environment for weather watching, good
signage for evacuation.
Entrance design going straight in better or slight rise up than
going down.
Natural light where possible, full spectrum artificial light.
Good ventilation and humidity control
On-going Rock Cavern

Studies
CEDD - Agreement CE09/2011 (CE)
Increasing Land Supply by

Reclamation and Rock Cavern
Development
To respond more flexibly to society's needs for land, the Government is
determined to develop new land extensively and build up an abundant
"land reserve" that can more than meet the short-term demand. That
way, the reserve can be used to meet future demand in a timely
manner.
10
Land Reserve
Site Selection Criteria for Rock Cavern Development
Building Land Reserve for different land use
Housing land
Infrastructural
development
Societal facilities
Business land
Under the Principles of

Sustainable Development
Three methods
Short-term
uses
Long-term
uses
Location of Potential Rock Cavern Development Sites
Pilot Schemes for Rock Cavern

Development
63
Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4
th
May 2013
Diamond Hill Salt Water Service Reservoirs
2
1
Potential RCD Sites

1
Diamond Hill Fresh Water Service

Reservoir and Salt Water Service
Reservoir
Sai Kung Sewage Treatment Works
Sham Tseng Sewage Treatment Works
Sai Kung Sewage Treatment Works Option 1
11
Sai Kung Sewage Treatment Works Option 2
Sham Tseng Sewage Treatment Works
Agreement CE 12/2012 Long Term Strategy for

Cavern Development
CEDD (GEO) - Agreement CE12/2012 (GE)
Commenced September 2012
Completed December 2015
Arup supported by
A-World Consulting, Black & Veatch & Colliers
Key Tasks
Long-term Strategy for Rock

Cavern Development
Formulation of Policy Guidelines

Preparation of Cavern Master Plans
Systematic Relocation Programme for Government Facilities
Mechanisms for Private Sector Participation including Outline
Feasibility Studies
Framework for Separate Ownership of Surface & Cavern
Developments
Technical Studies to Guide Future Rock Cavern Approaches
Public Engagement
Agreement CE 12/2012 Long Term Strategy for

Cavern Development
Various Working Papers for .
Economic analysis for cavern development,
Full update of Geoguide 4,
Review of blasting vibrations on sensitive receivers,
Review on the form of contract for procuring rock cavern and associated facilities.
Guidelines on fire safety design and fire safety management for Columbariaum
and Indoor games and sports hall
Strategic environmental assessments, monitoring and auditing.
General Study Approach
Cavern Feasibility Study for .

Warehouse and logistics centre
Data centre
Parking including Buses and Other Vehicles
Shopping Arcade
Columbarium
Water treatment works and Service Reservoir studies
CEDD (GEO) - Agreement CE12/2012 (GE) Long-term Strategy for Rock Cavern Development
12
Strategic Cavern Master Plans
64
Relocation Strategy for Government Facilities
Cavern Master Plans

Mapping Supply- and Demand- Driven Opportunities
Supply
Demand
of land in HK has potential for Rock

Cav ern Development
(subject to further validation through technical
assessments on the infrastructural feasibility in
support
of cavern development)
Ref use Transfer Station
Optimal location for

development,
Suitable cavern site
Land released for
other uses
Priority
sites
Refuse Collection Point
Logistics Centre
Sports Hall
Civic Centre
What type of business

/ facility
Where is it needed,
Business and
opportunity strategy
Water Treatment Works
Service Reservoirs
Sewage Treatment Works
Wholesale Markets
Slaughterhouse
Cross district
cavern uses
Stock-taking of Government Facilities
Updating the Stock-taking of Govt. Facilities

Original Stock-take
Proposed Updated
Stock-take
Various Outline Feasibility Studies
Private Sector Participation
Shopping Arcade
Data Centre
Warehouse /
Logistics Facility
Bus Depot
Car Park
Columbarium
To be approached in 3 stages
16
13
Review of Potential Private Sector Cavern End

Usages
Private Sector Demand Survey

Columbarium:
Hong Kong Columbarium

Merchants Association
Bus Depots:
Vehicle Parking:
Data Centers:
Logistics Facilities:
Finance Archives / Secure Storage:
Fuel Storage:
Cinema / Theatre Complex:

Research Laboratories:
Develop Private Sector Participation

Mechanisms
Overseas Private Sector Mechanisms

Underground Street Retail / Shopping, Japan
Future Potential Mechanisms
Existing Examples
Hong Kong IWTS
Build-Operate-Transfer
Contractor: SITA Waste
Services Ltd.
Mechanism: Tender for
construction and
establishment costs, as well
as unit rate for waste
processing. Hand-back after
so many years
HKU
Private Sector Financed Relocation
Contractor: Gammon Construction
Mechanism: relocated two Water
Supplies Department (WSD) salt water
service reservoirs (12,000 m3 capacity)
within rock caverns to accommodate the
development of their Centennial
Campus.
Public-Private-Partnerships (PPPs)
Tax Incentives
Preferential Land Premiums
GFA Exemptions for Cavern Space
More Build-Operate-Transfer Schemes
Develop an underground ownership transfer in a

similar way to the concept of Air Rights
principles being considered for above ground
building development?
Consider open project bidding or auctioning for
gazetted underground uses for specific locations?
The two rock caverns are 50 m long,

17.6 m wide and 17 m high

Central Area Underground
Master Plan
Singapore Urban Renewal

Authority have developed an
Underground Master Plan to
guide construction of
Underground Pedestrian
Links
To further encourage this
plan, the Government have
introduced a cash-back
scheme.
Cash-back incentives (up to
HK$180,000 per sq. m),
GFA Exemptions, etc.
Encourages Private Lot
Owners to develop
pedestrian links as shown in
the Masterplan

City of Helsinki
Land ownership is limited to 6
m.b.g.l
City of Helsinki charges private
companies using underground
space approximately 50% less
than corresponding aboveground.
Combined utility tunnels built
and financed by Gov and then
listed a joint private / gov owned
company with a rental model.
Gov decreasing shareholding
with time.
14
How can HK Government facilitate the Use of

Rock Caverns ?
Norway Civil Defence Fund

To ensure strategic development of civil defence shelters for times
of crisis
Cavern facilities can be dual-purpose, e.g. Gjvik Mountain Hall (the
largest public cavern in the world).
A clearly defined policy for preferred uses that present

intrinsic benefits for HK ?
Identify defined cavern areas with provisions for private
sector tendering ?
Provide longer term leases ?
Consider more BOT or PPP type projects where process
or revenue models can be adopted ?
Take the lead in developing rock caverns.
Possible
Opportunities for
Rock Cavern
Development
Dangerous Goods / PHI /

Hazardous Waste Storage
Potentially Hazardous Installations
Dangerous Goods / PHI / Hazardous Waste Storage

No. PHI Zone
1 Shell LPG Store, Heng Fa Chuen, Chai Wan
18
30
8
14
21
24
11
23
16
Hong Kong & China Gas Co. Ltd., Shek Pai Wan, Aberdeen
Shell LPG Stransit Depot/Bulk Domestic Supply, Ap Lei Chau
Hong Kong & China Gas Co. Ltd., Ma Tau Kok Road
5
6
Exxon Mobil LPG Store, NKIL 6273, Tat Yeung Road, Lai Chi Kok
Exxon Mobil LPG Store, Tuen Mun Area 44
7
8
Chevron Hong Kong Limited, TYTL 48 RP, Tsing Yi

Hong Kong $ China Gas Co. Ltd., Tai Po Area 26
1
5
17
29
26
20
22
32
25
27
13
28
10
1
2
Urban Expansion
13 WSD Shatin Water Treatment Works, Shatin Area 9
Good Security Required
14 WSD Tai Po Tau Water Treatment Works, Tai Po Area 21
16 WES Tuen Mun Water Treatment Works, Tuen Mun Area 22

WSD Yau Kom Tau Water Treatment Works, Castle Peak Road, Tsuen
17 Wan
WSD Sheung Shui Water Treatment Works, Fu Mei Au Road, Sheung
18 Shui
WSD Silvermine Bay Water Treatment Works, South Lantau Road,
19 Lantau
20 WSD Pak Kong Water Treatment Works, Sai Kung
31
19
1
2
3
21 WSD Au Tau Water Treatment Works, Yuen Long

22 Kowloon Government Explosives Depot, No. 8696 Tai Po Road
23 WSD Ma On Shan Water Treatment Works*
24 WSD Water Treatment Works in Tai Po Area 38
25 Shell Hong Kong Ltd., West Tsing Yi TYTL 108 s.A
26 WSD Tai Lam Chung No. 2 Chlorination Station, Tai Lam Chung Reservoir
Legend
27 WSD Shek Lei Pui Water Treatment Works, Shek Lei Pui
28 WSD Siu Ho Wan Water Treatment Works, North Lantau
PHI
PHI Consultation Zone
Source:
[1] PlanD (2011), Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines
[2] EPD Website (2011), Risk Management of Potentially Hazardous Installations (http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/data/risk_mgt.html)
Remote Sites Needed but
9 Exxon Mobil Hong Kong Ltd., TYTL 46 RP, Tsing Yi

10 Exxon Mobil Hong Kong Ltd., TYTL 115, Tsing Yi
11 Chevron LPG Store, Tai Po Area 5
12 Sinopec (Hong Kong)Limited, TYTL 127 Tsing Yi
15 WSD Tsuen Wan Water Treatment Works, Shing Mun Road

6
Key Issues
29 WSD Sham Tseng Water Treatment Works, Sham Tseng
Blighting Effect of Consultation Zone

Explosives exclusion zones
QRA on Hazards, Risks and Impacts
Underground Options likely to Reduce the Risk to
the Public
30 WSD Ngau Tam Mei Water Treatment Works, Ngau Tam Mei*
31 Kau Shat Wan Government Explosives Depot, Lantau Island**
32 Chevron LPG Depot, Ma Wan Island
*Safety Buffer Zone included
**Marine Exclusion Zone included
15
Potential for Cavern Oil Storage in Hong Kong
Underground Oil / Gas Storage

Underground Storage Oil Storage Costs
About 71
Hectares of Land
Use of cavern storage can ameliorate

visual and hazard impacts

Commonly strategic reserves held by countries
Risk Reduction (PHI)
Usually cheaper for bulk storage
Suitable location needed including connections to
the market as well as safe offloading point
Underground Quarrying
Cleanup costs for existing sites ?
16
Possible Underground Space Locations
Possible Private Sector Uses Underground Quarrying

Space formed as part of quarrying process
Space formed this way in other countries,

Kansas USA, Norway (Dual Uses)
Less dust, noise, surface runoff and

flooding not possible and overall nuisance
reduced
Likely crushing plants and concrete

batching plants underground, NIMBY
facility
Surplus suitable rock from infrastructure

projects could offset some costs for the
facility
Traffic to and form the facility need careful

consideration
Blast vibration potential nuisance
Quantity of Imported Rock Handled

(Mt)
Lamma Quarry
Shek O
Anderson Road
Lam Tei
Anderson Road Quarry
2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Shek O Quarry
Turret Hill Quarry
Lam Tei Quarry
Underground Substations
HK Electric Cyberport ESS partly in cut and cover.
Underground Substations
Substation Trends
Public perception
Negative views and perceived health risks
Must have substations in our communities
Different technologies to go underground, gas
insulated transformers
Capex higher ? Opex lower ?
FSD and Firefighting Access
Warehousing & Logistics

Business
Can be cut & cover or rock caverns

Rock cavern development will need local substations
to supply electricity
17
Warehousing & Logistics Opportunities

One of the Main Pillar industries
Different types of logistics, delivery and distribution
models
Space considered a problem, not enough
SME need longer lease and ownership models to
improve investment / returns
Data Centre Business
Off airport bonded facility to improve logistics distribution

maybe underground
Dedicated underground space could improved workers
facilities, canteen, games room etc
Future Asian on-line retail distribution centres might be
needed, (eg Amazon model)
Data Centre Opportunities
Government promoting this Business

Top 5 Datacentre Markets Asia Pacific according to market
revenue
Ranked second on Raised Floor Space / GDP
3638 Companies have regional HQ & Offices in HK (2010)
Direct employment about 2,200 (2009)
Indirect employment about 2,600 (2009)
Totaling about HK$3.4B/year (2009)
Annual growth rate about 10% per annum.
Tier III+ & IV demand of 500,000 sq.f by 2015 needs about
10 hectares of land.

Reduced risks by locating in HK, near market, regulatory
framework
Clustering at preferred site can save money on
infrastructure. ie combined facilities to be more efficient.
Demand for suitable space

Existing buildings sometimes difficult to retrofit
Restricted rooftop space for Cooling
Multiple ownership difficulties
Power supply and continuity
Neighbours pose risks to the datacentre
18
Columbarium Issues
Controversial subject
Strong public resistance to above

ground and below ground
schemes due to access,
inconvenience & visual impact
Columbarium Business
Opportunities for Private Columbarium in Caverns

Death is a fact of life, > 45,000 deaths per annum
Most people opt for cremation (95%)
Residents generally wish their remains to be kept in HK
Problem of Land Supply
Columbarium Opportunities
Very strong demand for niches
Charity based non-profit organisations
Niche provided forever (usually) although 2047 lease

problem for some facilities
NIMBY (Not In My Backyard) Facilities
Private Niches typically HK$3K to > HK$150K Need

to meet full crosssection of society
Maximise remote locations with existing above/below

ground schemes subject to traffic survey
Highest Value HK$500K per niche
Insufficient Public Cemetery / Columbarium Facilities

All Districts should provide space for local people
Rock cavern columbarium with 30,000 niches

Revenue maybe at day one of HK$2,400,000,000
(average HK$80K per niche)
Opportunities for Vehicle Parking

HK Monthly Rental = Typically Range HK$ 1,500 to 4,200
(Source : Asiaxpat WEB Site 2013)
Finland Cost of Rock Cavern Parking Space Quoted = US$40K to

50K per space.
Assume 1.5 times the cost = US$75K = HK$0.58M, Each to build.
Vehicle Parking
Typical sale values HK$0.3M (Shatin / Sheung Shui) to >1.0M

(Quarry Bay / HKI) (Source : 28Hse.com, 2013)
19
Opportunities for Vehicle Parking

Bus companies have large fleets
Government occupy a number of TGLA sites for.
Police & Customs and Excise Vehicles
Impounded / Confiscated Vehicles
Wine / Food Storage &

Restaurants
Correctional Services Department

FEHD Refuse Trucks etc
Some private companies have vehicle pounds
Demand within major shopping and retail areas
Demand within constrained steeper hillsides (eg Midlevels)
Problem of private lots
Problem of access and egress
Wine Storage / Production
Shouson Hill, Hong Kong
Reused Military Bunkers
One Winery (8th Estate) in Hong Kong (Ap Lei Chau)
One of the worlds finest wine cellar facilities
Large regional hub for wine trade
Private members club house / restaurant
Scope for local specialist wine stores

Large throughput but limited storage needed
Connoisseurs prefer own basements or local storage
Combined F&B and storage cavern or niches maybe
an opportunity
117
Aberdeen Tunnel Neutrino Observatory
Underground Research
Laboratories
Underground laboratory in Aberdeen Road Tunnel Niche funded by Research Grants Council of HK to study Neutrinos in the HK Area.
20
Underground Research Laboratories

Research Led (Capital funding ?)
Universities have shown some interest

Proposal for deep and shallow laboratories in HK
Possible combined facility Physics, Biomedical,
Geoscience fields ?
Min 600m deep facility (neutrino research)
Possible Integrated Rock

Cavern and Other Opportunities
On Campus shallow depth labs possible

Reinforce HK as High Tech Research Centre to
compete with Japan / South Korea / Europe and
America etc
Attract Academics & Research Funding
Potential Rock Caverns / Niches

1.
2.
3.
Museum of Quarrying to be housed in a Rock Cavern

Niches in the hillside for Restaurants and Entertainment
Reserved areas for other potential Rock Cavern Development

Development Provision for Rock
Cavern Development
Talk 2 Caverns, 4
Seminar on Land Supply Series

125
th
May 2013
21
Hong Kong University Campus
Other Ideas
Constrained by Existing Private properties
Constrained by steep terrain
Could expand by moving archives, labs and parking underground.
Internal demand for more on campus sports facilities, games halls, swimming
etc could be underground.
Possible business model

around car park rentals
and monthly parking
Ocean Park Entertainment Caverns
Existing steep hillside
Suitable rock
Possible tourist attraction to add to OP

existing attractions
Themed spaces
Initial Interest from F&B industry for some

kind of facility
Large Rock Cavern Spaces
Conclusion
Gjovik Mountain Hall, Norway. Worlds largest public accessible rock
cavern, 61m span with 5000 seat concert / conference capacity.
22
Thank You for Listening
Conclusion
Provides some relief to Land Supply
NIMBY facilities transferred underground overall benefit to
society
Stable underground environment for operation
Longer leases and business continuity, longer term
investment opportunities
Can allow space to meet business requirements
Lower visual impact than surface schemes
Energy efficiency
(thermal insulation of the rock)
Economics (Should we ignore land value, experienced contractors)

Many Technical, Planning, Legislative and Policy Framework
Issues to Overcome
Any Questions?
23

How Could Rock Cavern Development Benefit Hong Kong

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Content

How could Rock Cavern Development

The Story so Far ?

Possible Opportunities for Rock Cavern

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Housing and Development Needs Increased Population

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Housing and Development Needs Economic Development

Housing and Development Needs Social Needs

Four Pillar Industries: financial services,

Six industries actively promoted by the

To enhance our competitiveness, adequate

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Population estimated to grow by

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Existing Land Supply Options

Rock Cavern Development

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Release valuable land for development

Relocate "Not-in-my-Backyard" facilities into cavern,

Rock excavated from caverns is usually high quality and

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Rock Cavern Development

The Story So Far ?

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Rock Cavern Development

MTR Railway Station

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Hong Kongs first Caverns in 1985

MTR West Island Line (WIL) Station Caverns

Tai Koo MTR Station

MTR Rock Cavern Stations

WIL, Sai Ying Pun & University Stations

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

MTR Rock Cavern Stations Benefits / Constraints

New Technologies & Equipment

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Rock Cavern Development

Dangerous Goods Storage

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Kau Shat Wan Government Explosives Depot

Kau Shat Wan

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

MTR WIL Explosives Magazine

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Away from the public

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Rock Cavern Development

Refuse Transfer Stations

Purpose-built Caverns in HONG KONG

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Seminar on Land Supply Series Talk 2 Caverns, 4th May 2013

Rock Cavern Development

Water Storage Reservoirs

Purpose-built Caverns in HONG KONG

Western Salt Water Service Reservoirs, HKU

Western Salt Water