Bamboo scaffolding, a centuries-old technique, comes under scrutiny after Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in decades

The Hong Kong residential towers engulfed by smoke and flames on Wednesday were surrounded by an ancient construction material familiar to anyone who’s spent time in the one of the world’s most densely packed urban hubs. t’s nearly impossible to walk down the streets of Hong Kong and not see buildings surrounded by bamboo scaffolding – a construction material that’s celebrated for its flexibility, low cost and sustainability.

Bamboo scaffolding dates back to at least the Han dynasty around 2,000 years ago, and has been used to build some of the city’s tallest and most iconic skyscrapers, like Norman Foster’s HSBC headquarters.

While it is considered a treasured Hong Kong tradition, it’s recently drawn scrutiny for being combustible and prone to deterioration over time. That’s despite disasters like this being extremely rare in Hong Kong, which has a strong track record when it comes to building safety – thanks to high quality construction and the strict enforcement of building regulations.

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