The social and economic impacts of urban renewal project : case study of Langham Place in Mong Kok west

Abstract

Urban decay is an inevitable phenomenon in many global cities. Conducting urban renewal to dilapidated buildings at the inner-city areas has long been regarded as an effective solution to this urban problem. Hong Kon has quasi-government institution responsible for urban renewal. However, urban renewal has long been criticized on gentrifying ordinary community and inducing displacement, directly or indirectly. This dissertation selects a retail-led urban renewal project in Mong Kok West and explores the process of retail change, accompanied with the social and economic impacts analysis of retail gentrification on the surrounding neighborhood and displaced area. The study showed that residual business operators around were not completely benefited from this renewal project. Meanwhile, displaced pet bird trading, the local small-scale economy, is struggle for survival. Recommendation is provided to mitigate the negative impacts of retail gentrification.