URBAN VILLAGES AND NEW TOWNS

In the process of urbanization in the New Territories, the government guaranteed the rights of indigenous people and their descendants to maintain villages and build new accommodation through the Small House Policy (SHP). However, due to the strict restrictions on the size of the house, the density of villages is relatively low. As there is a pressing need for residential land in Hong Kong, some say that the policy leads to inefficient use of land in the New Territories, limiting future city development.

In urban areas, inadequate housing units and unaffordable housing prices have created issues such as subdivided flats, street sleepers, and long waiting times for public housing. The difficulty to afford and access quality housing for new generations, may cause disruption of family planning, social mobility, and exacerbate social seggregation in the long-term.

Following the concept of Spatial Justice introduced by Soja, the role, density and quality of space in Hong Kong’s villages can be investigated as there are opportunities for a more equitable distribution of land resources and social infrastructure to benefit the wider population of Hong Kong.

Existing and historic villages can be analysed, their spatial and social structure strengthened through public space upgrade works. Their relationships with surrounding New Development Areas can be enhanced, to promote social collaboration and celebration of cultural heritage. New construction of rural housing can be reimagined as more comprehensively planned rural communities with medium density block typologies and supportive local facilities.

Village Distribution in Hong Kong (research by Yue Junyu).

People Living in the Small House Village (research by Leung Kit Ying).