Hong Kong authorities' deafening silence on noise pollution
While New York has a detailed map of areas most affected by noise, Hong Kong authorities seem reluctant to release data on complaints
When it comes to noise, Hong Kong could give bedlam a run for its money. From ear-pounding pile-driver punishment and the impatient hum of snarled-up traffic to barking dogs and excitable late-night neighbours, the cheek-by-jowl city we call home just loves to make a racket.
And while air pollution rightly grabs headlines, the problems caused by noise pollution often fall on deaf ears.
That's certainly the case when it comes to the authorities charged with monitoring and collating the thousands of noise complaints stressed residents make every year.
When New York produced a map of that city's noise topography, so detailed was the information it was lauded as a work of art. Behind it was a former Polytechnic University student and designer, Karl Sluis.
But attempts to make a similarly detailed map of Hong Kong have been met with the sound of official silence.
"There are no comprehensive noise pollution surveys or studies in Hong Kong," said Yip Yan-yan, chief operating officer of think tank Civic Exchange. "Appropriate and effective mitigations could be well in place only if factual situations of noise impact to the public are available."
Most noise complaints are dealt with by the Environmental Protection Department and the police. When the Sunday Morning Post requested specific information on the dates, locations and nature of recent complaints, a department spokeswoman said only district-level information could be provided.