Ma On Shan: FARMOS: The Farm under the Train

Authors. CHAN Tsz Hei, CHEUNG Pui Ying, PANG Tak Yan

As Ma On Shan (MOS) is a new town, it is relatively well planned and has a good land-use pattern. Yet when compared to some older communities such as Wan Chai and Tai Wai, it is obvious that MOS has huge room for improvements – residents there lack interaction and a sense of belonging.

According to the 2006 Population Statistic census, 82% of MOS residents work on Hong Kong Island and in the Kowloon district. A majority of MOS residents need to travel to the other districts to work. As residents can only spend little time in MOS, little interaction between the residents results. Residents also do not feel they belong to MOS.

In view of this problem, a greenhouse built below the elevated MOS line railway is proposed. It is proposed that there would be 50% algae farming and 50% urban farming. Glass panels would be used to protect the plants from dust and polluted air. A footbridge would be provided to link the greenhouse with the neighbouring area. Greywater from it would be used for irrigation after treatment.

Most importantly, algae grown in the greenhouse would be used as a biofuel to generate electricity for the greenhouse itself, as well as other nearby facilities.

Under this proposal, it is expected that as a common goal for MOS residents to accomplish together, it can bring people together and promote interactions and sense of belonging inside MOS. As by-products, the farm can also bring other positive effects such as local food production, electricity generation and carbon dioxide reduction.