URBAN RENEWAL IN HONG KONG : PLANNING BEYOND THE PHYSICAL LANDSCAPE

Abstract

Urban renewal projects initiated by the government can significantly impact the lives of the city dwellers. On one hand, urban renewal can function as a tool to prevent urban decay and revitalize dilapidated districts; it can also cause urban alienation and erode the city’s identity and character.

In renewing the old districts of Hong Kong, historical buildings are demolished to make way for new developments while pedestrian spaces and street markets are bulldozed to make way for vehicular traffic. Social network is broken up in the pursuit of progress.

This dissertation aims to address the issues of urban alienation and erosion of community identity associated with urban renewal projects in Hong Kong.

With an overview of the historical and physical aspect of urban renewal taking place in Hong Kong, two distinctive renewal projects of spatial, cultural and social importance, Lee Tung Street and Tai Yuen Street in Wanchai, are investigated in depth. The research on these two case studies focuses on the spatial configuration in contributing to the character of the place and the formation of local identity emerging out of relationships between the habitants. The dissertation concludes with highlighting the opportunities in the renewal schemes for future developments.