Green Hub (Old Tai Po Police Station) Opening Ceremony

6 November 2015 | Sustainable Living

(HONG KONG, 6th November 2015) Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden (KFBG) is pleased to have The Honourable CY Leung, GBM, GBS, JP, The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, The Honourable Paul Chan Mo-po, MH, JP, Secretary for Development, The Honourable Bernard Chan, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Revitalisation of Historic Buildings to officiate the opening of the Green Hub (Old Tai Po Police Station), today.

The Old Tai Po Police Station in Hong Kong is a Grade 1 historic building, built in 1899. Under Batch II of the "Revitalising Historic Buildings Through Partnership Scheme" (Revitalisation Scheme), the Development Bureau has collaborated with KFBG to transform the heritage site into a "Green Hub for Sustainable Living”. The Green Hub demonstrates how we can live sustainably while at the same time respecting nature and each other.

The key strategies for the revitalisation include to:

  1. integrate the historic buildings with nature – fuse conservation needs with the architectural character of the heritage buildings. Conservation awareness and action help to protect the mature trees on the site and the birds of the Tai Po Market Egretry;
  2. add value to the heritage site – KFBG has replaced unsightly outbuildings with gardens, converting the courtyard into a peaceful community space and adopted permaculture principles (a philosophy of working with, rather than against, nature;
  3. enable the building’s role to evolve – KFBG has transformed this vacant site of former colonial authority into an organically-evolving cultural site that reflects how a community may live sustainably.

 

The Green Hub project team strives to co-exist with these valuable features of Old Tai Po Police Station, and also demonstrate low carbon practices. For example, over 60% of the built-area at the Green Hub is operated with natural ventilation only for energy conservation; and 100% of the organic waste generated by horticulture activities and Eat Well Canteen is composted and reused to enrich the soil on site. The Eat Well Canteen strives to serve each meal with the smallest eco-footprint and the Co-op Shop works closely with producers and partners who promote what they believe, through their products. Regular workshops are held for members of the public to learn practical skills and traditional knowledge for sustainable living. Part of the building is given over to a Heritage Exhibition showing aspects of the architecture of the Old Tai Po Police Station and the life in the New Territories. The design of the Green Hub guestrooms reflects the beauty of simplicity and allows residential guests to appreciate the original architectural features. During their stay at the Green Hub guests may enjoy healthy, low carbon meals at our Eat Well Canteen, join our heritage tour and visit the small, local shops nearby, or join a field course to explore healthy and sustainable living more fully. The Green Hub runs re-skilling workshops and thematic short courses; and hosts sustainability retreats and 3- to 5-day Transformative Education Courses taught by leading international teachers.

Ruy Barretto S.C., Board Member of KFBG says, “Hong Kong is deeply dependent on imports, which means that we are very vulnerable to escalating prices and unstable food supplies, caused by changing weather patterns, habitat destruction and fossil fuel depletion. To address these global crises, all of us need to harmonise our relationship with the environment and need a clear vision for sustainable development. To mobilize Hong Kong towards less consumption, lower population, a localized economy, and less carbon emissions we need wider awareness of why and how to move forward.”

“The Green Hub project revitalizes the historic Old Tai Po Police Station with its new mission, as a hub to serve our community in meeting this need in a timely way. This project has demonstrated the principle of participation as a method both of awareness-raising and making progress towards genuine sustainable development,” Barretto adds.

Today, a tree planting ceremony is being held to mark the opening of the Green Hub. The officiating guests will plant two tea trees, transplanted from the tea garden of KFBG, to symbolize the bond between KFBG and the Green Hub. Andy Brown, Executive Director of KFBG says, “Tea was grown on the slopes of Tai Mo Shan above KFBG for centuries. The trees will become part of the Healing Garden, and the tea will be harvested, processed and served here in the Eat Well Canteen. These trees will help visitors to learn about our traditional culture and the close relationship between people and nature.”

The Green Hub has been open since 3rd August 2015 and by 30th October 2015 over 8,261 people have visited the heritage site.

 

Public Enquiry:

Tel: 2996 2800

Email: greenhub@kfbg.org

Facebook: Green Hub 綠匯學苑

Website: www.greenhub.hk

 

Visitor Information:

  • Opening Hours

Visitor Centre, Heritage Display and Co-op Shop:             10:00-17:00 (last admission is 16:00)

Eat Well Canteen                                                          10:00-16:00 (last call is 15:30)

  • Visit the Green Hub

Self-guided:         This option is walk-in for groups of five or less, though advanced booking is recommended as the site capacity is limited. 

Guided Tour:       Two sessions of Heritage Tour are held daily (except Tuesdays and specified dates*)

                                        Morning session:            11:00-12:00

                                        Afternoon session:          14:00-15:00

  • Booking: online booking can be made at www.greenhub.hk
  • Address: 11 Wan Tau Kok Lane, Tai Po
  • Transportation: 10-minute walk from Tai Po Market MTR Station (Exit A2)