Since Hong Kong has so little flat land
to build upon, developers often erect buildings
and roads against the steep hillsides; these
are vulnerable to slope stability issues. The hot
humid subtropical climate and heavy rains can
trigger deadly landslides that can topple build-
ings and cause extensive property damage and
loss of life. Some of the efforts to prevent the
collapse of slopes are directed at keeping soil
Steep slopes in Hong Kong are sometimes stabilized with Shotcrete, with planting pits for trees.
and weathered rock dry. The extensive use of
Shotcrete on these slopes is seen everywhere
one goes in Hong Kong. These concrete-cov-
ered slopes have drainage channels and weep
holes in them to allow groundwater to escape.
A large effort is made to landscape these
slopes, and in many areas holes have been
created in the concrete to plant trees—with
varying results.
14 City Trees
