Renewing the urban regeneration approach in Hong Kong

Abstract

The present research focused on formulating a comprehensive urban regeneration approach for Hong Kong by conducting a background study of the region, acknowledging the urban regeneration in United States and United Kingdom, and referencing the foreign experiences from Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. Secondary data analysis along with the comparative research method is used to study the raw materials across time and territory to gain the insights by identifying and explaining the similarities and differences of urban redevelopment procedure. Comparative variables included the institutional structure, number of planning system, level of urban redevelopment, role and approach adopted by government, as well as the level of public participation. Results indicated that the top-down approach of Hong Kong was still in the level of urban renewal, with a loose and messy structure and very little public participation. The findings suggested that while the Hong Kong Government was trying its best to improve the urban regeneration approach in a micro perspective, it missed out a long-sighted and comprehensive vision on urban regeneration. To improve the level of urban redevelopment, a macro-level of restructuring the government institutions, information database, and public participation is needed. Implication of the study includes giving a reference for other Asian cities and unifying the urban regeneration approach into an empirical theory through cultural comparison.