A Study of Traffic Noise Affecting Residential Properties along Dissertation

A Study of Traffic Noise Affecting Residential Properties along Expressways - Dissertation Example Ethical Considerations 34 3.8: Strengths of the Methodology 35 3.9: Limitations of the Methodology 35 3.10: Summary 35 Chapter 4.0 Results and Discussion 36 4.1 Introduction 36 4.2 Interview Analysis 36 4.3: Personal Interpretation of the Researcher of Interviews 44 4.4: Summary 45 Chapter 5.0 Conclusions and Recommendations 46 5.1 Introduction 46 5.2: Conclusion 46 5.3: Recommendations for Mitigating Traffic Noise 50 5.4: Recommendations for Future Research 50 5.5: Summary 51 BIBLIOGRAPHY 52 APPENDIX 55 A. Interview Letter 55 B. Consent Form 56 List of Figures and Photos Figure-1: Retrofitting Works along Fanling Highway for figure in Chapter-2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.23 Figure-2: Retrofitting Works along Cheung Pai Shan Road for figure in Chapter-2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦23 Figure-3: Use of Low Noise Material on Chiu Shun Road for figure in Chapter-2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦..24 Figure-4: Use of Low Noise Material on Deep Bay Link for figure in Chapter-2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â ‚¬ ¦24 Figure-5: Banning Heavy Vehicles on Tsing Fung Street during Nights, Chapter-2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦25 Figure-6: Pedestrianisation Scheme at Causeway Bay for figure in Chapter-2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦.....26 Figure-7: Awareness Initiative by EPD on Noise Issue for figure in Chapter-2†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦27 CHAPTER-1: INTRODUCTION 1.1: Introduction Road traffic has emerged as one of the most basic areas of concern for many residential properties across the world and Hong Kong is no more an exception when it comes to facing traffic noises and disturbance especially for residents residing along expressways. Road traffic has emerged as one of the prime reasons behind noise pollution affecting millions of people around the world. The situation is all the more worse for people residing along expressways as the traffic noise causes health concerns and frustration (Field, 1993). The level of traffic noises has been increasing at an alarming rate and householders are finding it difficult to maintain a healthy and noise free life. Moreover, traffic noises in wee hours affect the sleep and mood of householders leading to irritation and frustration (Espey and Lopez, 2000) The research aims to investigate traffic noise affecting residential buildings along expressways in Hong Kong. Hong Kong like any other city in the world faces its share of traffic noises affecting the life of millions of people. There is no doubt that the economy of Hong Kong has grown in last few decades mainly because of the expansion of business and commercial activities. This has also led to an increase in the level of traffic noises ad business and commercial activities are very much driven by transportation. The impact has been severe in densely populated areas of the city but even expressways have been the major concern for many householders considering the fact that large numbers of vehicles move at wee hours causing mental stress and hearing problems (Hughes and Sirmans , 1992) The Government of Hong Kong has been focusing on reducing the level of traffic noise by planning and policies implementation but the major issue of traffic noise for residents along expressways

Photographs of the Lillis. Basic Elements of Photography and Essay

Photographs of the Lillis. Basic Elements of Photography and Representation versus Reality - Essay Example Even the elevators, which often, in school buildings, are run down, this was not the case in this building. The elevator, too, looked modern – it was chrome, and like the rest of the building, was clean. That was probably the word that I would most use to describe this experience and the space - it was clean and uncluttered. I also liked the open-air feeling of the atrium, and the large windows gave the degree of natural light that was very relaxing for this experience. I can see why this would be a popular place for students, because the entire space gives an air of some place where people can relax, socialize and study. And this was the theme that was presented in this building – it is obvious that the architects of this space had a relaxing and clean aesthetic in mind. There was nothing about this building that was industrial or garish or harsh. The walls were not painted in bright or dark colors, and there was very little wood that was exposed, either. No real indus trial look, like exposed pipes or something like that. From the tiled floors to the large meeting rooms, to the large atrium meeting hall, that was the aesthetic that was felt in this space. This was what so appealing about this space. As for what was unappealing about the space, I felt that perhaps the hallways, which were captured as part of these photographic sequences, seemed a little claustrophobic. They could have been widened a little to give even more of an impression of detail and relaxation. My photographing of this space was both intuitive and rational. That is, I gravitated towards certain parts of the building, just naturally – this was something that I used to determine which photographs to take, which was the places where I felt most comfortable and relaxed. That said, there also was a rational approach to the picture taking. The rational approach was that I knew that I had to diversify in taking the pictures – I couldn’t just take shots of the be auty of the building, without also taking shots of the mundane. Therefore, I felt the need to make sure that things like the chrome elevators were featured in this spread, as well as other things such as metal boxes and drinking fountains and other things that are important to a building, but may not be the main draw. I felt, consciously, that I needed to completely represent the building, as opposed to highlighting the high points. I did feel that the digital camera would give me a slightly different result than a traditional camera. That is because I would be able to see, in real time, how the photographs looked, and this is what I based my portfolio on. The real time photographs. I was able to note that I was hitting the points that I wanted to hit. If I was taking pictures with a traditional camera, this would not be available as much. I chose two photographs. The one photograph that I chose was the one of the students in their tables, with the open air windows in the background . The other photograph that I chose was the photograph of the metal boxes that were lined against one wall. The reason why I chose these two photographs, in particular, was that these represented opposite ends of the spectrum, in terms of aesthetics. I felt that, by choosing these two photographs, I represented the building the best. In other words, the building was not just about the beauty, but also about the mundane things that makes a building what it is. I felt that this was the best use of my photographer’