Hong Kong's Tsui Ping River Project Wins Prestigious Civil Engineering Prize for Innovation and Infrastructure Enhancement.

DSD project awarded Tien-yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize

The Hong Kong Seaside and Riverside Enhancement Scheme - Revitalization of Tsui Ping River and Upgrading of Sewage Facilities in Kwun Tong, a project by the Drainage Services Department (DSD), has been awarded the 21st Tien-yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize (Municipal Infrastructure Category). The prize recognises the project's outstanding performance in engineering technology innovation and the application of technology, as well as in driving high-quality industry development.

Attending the prize presentation ceremony held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, today (September 22), the Director of Drainage Services, Mr Ringo Mok, said that the project is the DSD's first comprehensive municipal initiative integrating flood protection, sewage treatment and waterfront enhancement. The prize is a recognition of the team's efforts in delivering people-oriented and river-focused infrastructure projects, and highlights the achievements of the Hong Kong engineering sector in applying advanced technology and balancing flood protection with conservation.

The project integrates two major works, namely the Revitalization of Tsui Ping River and the Enhancement Works for the Kwun Tong Sewage Pumping Station. The approximately one-kilometre-long Tsui Ping River, which had in earlier years been artificially converted into a reinforced concrete open drainage channel, has been revitalised into a scenic riverside space through ecological restoration and installation of facilities including cross-river walkways and Hong Kong's first smart water gate in a river channel. In addition, an underground sewage balancing tank with a capacity of 16 000 cubic metres was constructed beneath the sewage pumping station, while the 11 000-square-metre Cha Kwo Ling Promenade was built on its roof. The project not only enhances local flood resilience and improves the water quality of Victoria Harbour, but also unlocks waterfront space, connecting approximately 1.7km of coastline to form a continuous promenade and provide high-quality leisure space for the public.

The judging panel of the prize highly commended the project's adoption of innovative technologies and designs, in particular the "single site, multiple uses" model and the creation of green public spaces; the use of an AI-based water level forecasting system and a smart site safety system during construction; the installation of a smart water gate in the river channel that rises and falls with the tides to effectively enhance construction efficiency and environmental performance; and the linking of river water level data with surrounding underground stormwater storage tanks through a sophisticated control system to form a co-ordinated "tank-lake-river" flood protection network, demonstrating excellent flood discharge performance.

Established by the China Civil Engineering Society and the Beijing Tien-yow Jeme Foundation for Development of Science and Technology in Civil Engineering, the Tien-yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize aims to commend civil engineering projects with outstanding achievements in technological innovation and application. The DSD was previously awarded the prize for its Stormwater Interception and Storage Schemes for Hong Kong Urban Areas project and the Harbour Area Treatment Scheme in 2014 and 2018 respectively.

DSD project awarded Tien-yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DSD project awarded Tien-yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

DSD project awarded Tien-yow Jeme Civil Engineering Prize Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Public reminded not to burn wax, fly sky lanterns or litter at LCSD venues during Mid-Autumn Festival

The Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) today (September 22) appealed to members of the public to keep places clean and tidy, not to burn wax or fly sky lanterns when celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival.

"To ensure the enjoyment of the festivity in a good environment, we are appealing to members of the public to not throw glow sticks or other objects onto trees, as doing so may cause damage to the trees and affect the cleanliness of venues. Do not fly sky lanterns or burn wax, which may cause injury to yourself or others, or damage to property and facilities," a spokesman for the LCSD said.

The spokesman also said that to ensure that the public can celebrate the festival in a clean and safe environment, the LCSD will deploy staff to step up patrols at its venues (including parks, public beaches and barbecue sites) on September 25 and take enforcement actions against littering, wax burning, throwing objects onto trees and flying sky lanterns.

Members of the public may call the LCSD hotline 2414 5555 to report any non-compliance found at LCSD venues.

Under the Pleasure Grounds Regulation, no person shall, in any pleasure ground, melt or burn any wax; sprinkle or pour any liquid onto any hot wax; damage any part of any tree, shrub or plant; or fly kites, model aircraft, balloons or other devices (including sky lanterns). Under the Bathing Beaches Regulation, no person shall, on any bathing beach, do any act that is likely to endanger or obstruct any other person using the beach, or damage, deface or pollute the beach or anything situated thereon. Any convicted person is liable to a maximum fine of $2,000 and 14 days' imprisonment.

The LCSD will issue to littering offenders a fixed penalty notice with a fine of $3,000. Persons who burn wax, throw objects onto trees or fly sky lanterns may be prosecuted.

Source: AI-found images