Project Background
In 2018, the study team initiated a RIF project (RGC ref. R4046-18) (Phase 1) to work on the inter-relationship among climate change, the built environment, and older population living.
The study focus was identified to be the increasingly hotter climate in the future due to climate change.
As the study progresses, the data obtained indicates that the future weather will fluctuate more; that is to say, the hot days will get hotter and the cold days will get colder. The mitigation and adaptation action plans developed in Phase 1 of the study can only address the summer issues.
It would be more useful if the study team can further the work in order to provide a “year-round” holistic understanding and action plans, and hence, leading to the Phase 2 of this study.
- There is a lack of data for understanding the extreme cold weather under global warming in our city. Hong Kong is a high-density city with a complex urban environment.
There are large variations in the intra-urban temperature, so high-resolution spatial and temporal data are required for the assessment of exposure and vulnerability of extreme cold weather.
- There is a lack of evidence-based mitigation action plans. Building and neighbourhood design are important to both the livelihood of citizens and the mitigation to climate change.
There is an urgent need for better understanding of the impacts of extreme cold weather on the living environment, and hence design strategies for the year-round climatic conditions
- There is a lack of evidence-based adaptation response plans. Timely responses during extreme cold weather are important in safeguarding the health and well-being of older citizens.
It requires a comprehensive understanding of the health impacts due to extreme cold weather so that effective adaptation plans can be developed for different seasons in future climates.
This study will provide a methodological framework for incorporating the scientific knowledge of both extreme hot and cold weather and their associated impacts on the elderly health and well-being into a comprehensive plan for response actions.