Landscape Architectural Services
Hong Kong
Overview
| x | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 (est) |
| Gross Value of Construction Work | 21800 | 19722 | 20708 |
| Consulting fee involved (approx. 1%) | 218 | 197 | 207 |
| Market share for HK and overseas firms (est. 70%) | 153 | 138 | 145 |
| Market share for US firms (est. 30%) | 65 | 59 | 62 |
| Imports from the U.S. | 150 | 150 |
220 |
All figures are in US$ million, and they are unofficial estimates.
Best Products/Services
There is a shortage of landscape architects in Hong Kong. Only a few, sizable firms specialize in landscape architectural services. Hong Kong’s landscape architects are trained mostly in Britain, Australia, and New Zealand. Some are trained in Canada and a few in the United States. The University of Hong Kong only started offering landscaping courses several years ago, with 24 students graduating every two years. Landscape architects trained in Commonwealth countries qualify automatically for local license requirements while those who train elsewhere must undergo assessment by the Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects. All landscape architects must register with the Landscape Registration Board. It is estimated that the private sector and the Hong Kong Government (HKILA) each employ half of the 200 landscape architects in Hong Kong.
Opportunities
Landscape architects are in short supply at a time when there is a focus by the Hong Kong Government (HKG) to “green” the environment and to increase the number of infrastructure projects, especially tourism-related projects. The Hong Kong Government’s Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance requires landscape impact studies for infrastructure projects, so landscape architecture services are in demand.
Although some designs are done in-house, the Government hires private consultants to provide landscape design services, particularly for large projects. It is also common for the Government to hire a lead architect who will then sub-contract the landscaping portion. U.S. landscape architecture firms can team up with local architects to provide conceptual design.
Private developers are putting more emphasis on landscaping to enhance the value of their properties in Hong Kong. Most of these developers invest heavily in hotel, residential and shopping mall projects in Mainland China, where land is more abundant and the demand for landscape architectural services is huge.
The Government is in discussion with several U.S. theme park giants (e.g., Warner Brothers, Six Flags, and Universal Studio to build additional theme parks on Lantau Island. Golf courses, spas, resorts, watersports centers, boardwalks and bicycle tracks are also on the drawing board for the island, as are a yacht club at Discovery Bay and a Formula Three race track. Tourist attractions that would take advantage of Hong Kong’s heritage, local character and natural terrain are also under consideration. These include an eco-tourism center and preserving the Tai O fishing village. The island of Mui Wo, which is near Lantau, will have a facelift that includes possible reclamation to build a waterfront piazza. All of these projects require landscape architecture expertise.
Macau, another Special Administrative Region near Hong Kong, has liberalized its gaming industry. Las Vegas Sands, Wynn Resorts, and MGM are all making investments in the enclave, which aims to become the Las Vegas of Asia. Ultimately, the investment of the gaming concessionaires will amount to US$14 billion. The construction of theme parks, casinos, a convention center and hotels will increase the demand for U.S. landscape architectural expertise.
Resources
Major Trade Shows:
Hong Kong International Building Materials & Construction Equipment Fair (Oct 27-30, 2007): http://www.hkbuildingmaterialsfair.com
Associations and Related Organizations:
Hong Kong Institute of Landscape Architects
Tel: (852) 2131-8630
Fax: (852) 2131-8609
Address: P.O. Box 20561
Hennessy Road Post Office
Wanchai
Hong Kong
Website: http://www.hkila.com
Email: hkilonline@gmail.com
Hong Kong Commercial Specialist’s Contact:
Elanna Tam
Email: elanna.tam@mail.doc.gov
Tel: (852) 2521-5950; Fax: (852) 2845-9800