Hong Kong Airport

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

A few years ago, China needed a new airport in the Hong Kong area. The problem: there was not enough available land to build it. In yet another incredible feat of human accomplishment, China accomplished what has never been done before.

 

You can view some of the background and multimedia here:

 

http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/engin...nteractive.html

[Guest WenDylan]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/View_of_HK_Airport_from_air.JPG/800px-View_of_HK_Airport_from_air.JPG

[shadeOgray]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/24/View_of_HK_Airport_from_air.JPG/800px-View_of_HK_Airport_from_air.JPG

Didn't Japan do something similar and now it's sinking like 6 inches a year?

Maybe it was Hong Kong, can't remember.

[Guest WenDylan]

I think you're right, its Kansai Airport in Japan... maybe check out Wikipedia? But I think you're right!

[Guest WenDylan]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kansai_International_Airport

 

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/Kix_aerial_photo.jpg/800px-Kix_aerial_photo.jpg

[Randy W]

Yes - for re-arranged geography, dating back centuries, check out Tokyo.

Land reclamation is the creation of new land where there was once water. Notable examples in the West include parts of New Orleans; Washington, D.C. (which is partially built on land that was once swamp); Mexico City (which is situated at the former site of Lake Texcoco); Helsinki (of which the major part of the city center is built on reclaimed land); the Cape Town foreshore; the Chicago shoreline; the Manila Bay shoreline; Back Bay, Boston, Massachusetts; Battery Park City, Manhattan; the port of Zeebrugge in Belgium; the polders of the Netherlands; and the Toronto Islands, Leslie Street Spit, and the waterfront in Toronto. In the Far East, Japan, the southern Chinese cities of Hong Kong and Macau, and the city-state of Singapore, where land is in short supply, are also famous for their efforts on land reclamation. One of the earliest and famous project was the Praya Reclamation Scheme, which added 50 to 60 acres of land in 1890 during the second phase of construction. It was one of the most ambitious projects ever taken during the Colonial Hong Kong era.[1] Some 20% of land in the Tokyo Bay area has been reclaimed.[2] Monaco and the British territory of Gibraltar are also expanding due to land reclamation. The city of Rio de Janeiro was largely built on reclaimed land.

 

Artificial islands are an example of land reclamation. Creating an artificial island is an expensive and risky undertaking. It is often considered in places that are densely populated and flat land is scarce. Kansai International Airport (in Osaka) and Hong Kong International Airport are examples where this process was deemed necessary. The Palm Islands, The World and hotel Burj al-Arab off Dubai in the United Arab Emirates are other examples of artificial islands.

Edited October 11, 2008 by Randy W (see edit history)

[Bigguy_33]

A few years ago, China needed a new airport in the Hong Kong area. The problem: there was not enough available land to build it. In yet another incredible feat of human accomplishment, China accomplished what has never been done before.

 

You can view some of the background and multimedia here:

 

http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/engin...nteractive.html

 

One little problem with your thesis of yet another incredible Chinese feat of human accomplishments...... the Hong King airport was designed and build by the British. The Chinese were very much against it being built.

 

http://www.airwise.com/airports/apac/HKG/HKG_07.html

[shadeOgray]

A few years ago, China needed a new airport in the Hong Kong area. The problem: there was not enough available land to build it. In yet another incredible feat of human accomplishment, China accomplished what has never been done before.

 

You can view some of the background and multimedia here:

 

http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/engin...nteractive.html

 

One little problem with your thesis of yet another incredible Chinese feat of human accomplishments...... the Hong King airport was designed and build by the British. The Chinese were very much against it being built.

 

http://www.airwise.com/airports/apac/HKG/HKG_07.html

Yeah the british kind of have that "were going to do what we want to do regardless" attitiude.

Edited October 11, 2008 by shadeOgray (see edit history)

[Guest ShaQuaNew]

A few years ago, China needed a new airport in the Hong Kong area. The problem: there was not enough available land to build it. In yet another incredible feat of human accomplishment, China accomplished what has never been done before.

 

You can view some of the background and multimedia here:

 

http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/engin...nteractive.html

 

One little problem with your thesis of yet another incredible Chinese feat of human accomplishments...... the Hong King airport was designed and build by the British. The Chinese were very much against it being built.

 

http://www.airwise.com/airports/apac/HKG/HKG_07.html

 

The architects were Foster and Partners of the United Kingdom, you're correct. However, virtually all the construction was conducted by Chinese. Remember, any successful engineering project, especially one of this scale is reliant upon proven methods and lessons learned. All of this was taken into account by the Hong Kong / Chinese engineering team who worked hand-in-hand with the British architects.

 

Because of the methods used in the construction, that despite some claims that it may sink, that no corners were cut or standards relaxed. See the following article:

 

Sinking Feeling at Hong Kong Airport

 

Additionally, that while there was tension between Hong Kong and Beijing about the project, the did eventually agree on terms:

 

Mr. Major signed an accord granting Beijing a supervisory role over the airport project and promising to leave at least $3.2 billion in Hong Kong's treasury when it is returned to the mainland in 1997.

Edited October 11, 2008 by ShaQuaNew (see edit history)

[bob&haiqing]

I always find it strange landing at the Hong Kong airport ... you look out the window and you could swear the pilot is going to drop the plane in the water and then all of a sudden ... runway

 

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Bob

[IllinoisDave]

I always find it strange landing at the Hong Kong airport ... you look out the window and you could swear the pilot is going to drop the plane in the water and then all of a sudden ... runway

 

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Bob

Makes me glad I had an aisle seat.

[dnoblett]

You have to remember the airport that was replaced, Kai-Tac, it was a pilot's nightmare to land at.

 

 

The approach was over the city at rooftop level.

 

 

 

[Sebastian]

Singapore has a LOT of reclaimed land.

[C4Racer]

A few years ago, China needed a new airport in the Hong Kong area. The problem: there was not enough available land to build it. In yet another incredible feat of human accomplishment, China accomplished what has never been done before.

 

 

??? Just why do you think this has never been done before. It is nothing more than land reclaimation. It has been done many, many times in various areas like San Francisco Embarcadero section and other places all over the world. As populations grow, we have a need for more land. Techniques may vary, but the idea is the same.

[Mike62356]

A few years ago, China needed a new airport in the Hong Kong area. The problem: there was not enough available land to build it. In yet another incredible feat of human accomplishment, China accomplished what has never been done before.

 

 

??? Just why do you think this has never been done before. It is nothing more than land reclaimation. It has been done many, many times in various areas like San Francisco Embarcadero section and other places all over the world. As populations grow, we have a need for more land. Techniques may vary, but the idea is the same.

Like Brooklyn, NY