Page 68 - URA Annual Report 2021-22

CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY
Facilitating Planning with ‘Digital Twin’ Technology for a More Liveable Environment
To support our district-based and people-first urban renewal approach, the Urban Renewal Information System (URIS) was developed to enable creation of digital twins of the built environment to support the analysis of geographic and environmental data such as conducting three-dimensional viewshed analysis and traffic noise assessment, and providing simulation of micro-climates to evaluate the impact and sustainability of design proposals including airflow and wind speed, thermal comfort level, daylight factor and so forth.
The development of the first phase of URIS was completed in 2021 with a suite of applications to shorten the processing time for preparation of planning and project reserves, design options analysis and project financial assessment. Through analysis of land uses by URIS, under-utilised government lands, obsolete recreational and public amenities can be integrated into district planning, which after redevelopment can be reprovisioned with enhanced community facilities with modern standard, for residents to enjoy. Other applications under URIS are instrumental in the planning of district building rehabilitation by simulating the ageing condition of buildings in the time ahead for assessment of rehabilitation needs in advance.
Traffic Noise (decibel)
≥81 76-80 71-75 66-70
61-65 56-60 ≤55
Applying Innovative Environmentally-Friendly Technology
The URA is keen to explore applicability of green innovative technology in its projects. At the Public Transport Interchange of Yue Man Square which commenced operation in April 2021, the URA has installed an award-winning local invention - the bladeless Air Induction Units, which are capable of inducing up to 10 times of air movement as compared with conventional mechanical fan systems with less energy consumption.
URIS applications enable planners and architects to conduct 3D viewshed analysis. The visible area from the given location is shaded in green.
Under the URIS, the impact of traffic noise can be analysed by consolidating geographical and environmental data of a district and displayed on a 3D map, with different colours denoting decibels level from low (in green) to high (in purple).
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The Air Induction Units installed at Yue Man Square Public Transport Interchange help improve airflow while consuming less energy.