Urban renewal in Hong Kong: a community aspiration study

Abstract

Coupled with the growing number of aged private residential buildings, the lack of proper building care culture has led to serious problems of building dilapidation and urban decay in Hong Kong, particularly in the old urban areas. Not only is the cityscape ruined, but also the health and safety of the residents and general public as a whole are jeopardized. To arrest urban decay, redevelopment has long been adopted to renew rundown areas. However, the approach usually has a negative impact on the existing social fabric and causes a reduction in social capital. Given that older buildings usually have a larger proportion of older residents, and that the elderly population tends to be financially less well-off, this group of residents is more adversely affected by the negative impact of social destruction due to redevelopment. Recently, building rehabilitation has been gaining popularity. Yet, with a view to a sustainable strategy for urban renewal, it is necessary to balance the interests of different stakeholders. The alternative ways the community perceives different approaches to urban renewal in Hong Kong is a worthwhile topic to study. In this paper, the community's attitudes towards redevelopment and rehabilitation as urban renewal options are examined through a structured questionnaire survey. The survey findings are discussed with emphases on their policy implications. Recommendations will be drawn with respect to the community engagement process that enhances the likelihood of arriving at a more balanced urban renewal strategy.