# Hong Kong Government Open Data Sources Guide
# For URSP3600 Smart City Projects

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## 1. DATA.GOV.HK (data.gov.hk)

**URL:** https://data.gov.hk
**Description:** Central portal for all Hong Kong government open data
**Access:** Web interface, API, CSV download
**Coverage:** All government departments

**Key Datasets:**
- Real-time parking vacancy information
- Air quality monitoring data
- Weather and climate data
- Population statistics
- Land use and planning data

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## 2. Transport Department

**URL:** https://www.td.gov.hk
**Key Data:**
- Real-time traffic speed maps
- Public transport routes and schedules (GTFS format)
- Parking facility locations and capacity
- Traffic accident statistics
- Vehicle registration data

**API Access:** Some datasets available via REST API
**Update Frequency:** Real-time to monthly

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## 3. Environmental Protection Department (EPD)

**URL:** https://www.epd.gov.hk
**Key Data:**
- Air quality index (AQI) readings
- Noise monitoring data
- Water quality measurements
- Waste disposal statistics
- Carbon emissions data

**API Access:** Real-time AQI API available
**Update Frequency:** Hourly to annual

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## 4. Lands Department

**URL:** https://www.landsd.gov.hk
**Key Data:**
- Land lot boundaries (shapefile/GeoJSON)
- Land use classifications
- Building footprints
- Topographic maps
- Aerial photography

**Format:** GIS formats (shapefile, GeoJSON, KML)
**Access:** Download or WMS service

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## 5. Development Bureau (DevB)

**URL:** https://www.devb.gov.hk
**Key Data:**
- BIM data for government buildings
- Construction project information
- Building permits and approvals
- Urban planning documents
- Smart city initiative reports

**Note:** BIM data availability varies by project

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## 6. Buildings Department

**URL:** https://www.bd.gov.hk
**Key Data:**
- Building records and permits
- Structural safety inspections
- Fire safety compliance
- Building energy performance
- Renovation and demolition records

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## 7. Census and Statistics Department

**URL:** https://www.censtatd.gov.hk
**Key Data:**
- Population demographics
- Household income and expenditure
- Employment statistics
- Housing conditions
- Business registrations

**Format:** CSV, Excel, PDF reports
**Update Frequency:** Annual to quarterly

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## 8. Hong Kong Observatory

**URL:** https://www.hko.gov.hk
**Key Data:**
- Real-time weather observations
- Weather forecasts
- Climate normals and extremes
- Tropical cyclone tracks
- Sea level and tide data

**API Access:** Real-time weather API available
**Update Frequency:** Real-time to climatological

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## Tips for Students

1. **Start with data.gov.hk** — it aggregates most government datasets
2. **Check update frequency** — real-time data is more valuable for smart city prototypes
3. **Look for API access** — easier to integrate than manual downloads
4. **Combine multiple sources** — richer insights from data fusion
5. **Document your sources** — required for the Data Model element
6. **Check data quality** — some datasets may have gaps or inconsistencies

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## Example: Smart Parking Project Data Sources

For a CUHK campus smart parking system:
1. **Transport Department**: Real-time parking vacancy API
2. **Lands Department**: Campus boundary shapefile
3. **DATA.GOV.HK**: Traffic speed data for campus entrances
4. **Supplementary**: IoT sensor data (student-collected)

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## Data Source Evaluation Criteria

When choosing data sources, consider:
- **Relevance**: Does it address your problem?
- **Coverage**: Does it cover your study area?
- **Timeliness**: Is it updated frequently enough?
- **Accessibility**: Is it free and easy to access?
- **Quality**: Is it accurate and complete?
- **Format**: Is it in a usable format (API, CSV, GIS)?