Urban problems

Housing problems

Definition

Housing is not only a shelter to weather, but also includes access to such basic services as electricity, water and transport. Therefore, problem occurs when the quantity and quality of provision of housing do not reach satisfactory levels.

Functions performed by a house as residence

a shelter that protects the residents from environmental hazards

a place where residents can enjoy privacy a place where essential physical,

psychological and social needs are satisfied.

Criteria to assess the standard of a house

building materials used and the construction method, which determine the house’s ability to protect its residents

living density, as measured by number of people per room. This determines the degree of privacy enjoyed by individuals

availability and quality of facilities in the houses. These are essential for meeting various needs of the residents

RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION

OVERSEAS MIGRANTSCBD

Inner city

LDC City MDC City

Outward migration of higher-income group

Housing problems

Inadequate quantity Housing shortage Overcrowding

Poor quality Slums Squatters Poor sanitation,

pollution, social problems…

Urban decay

Inadequate quantity of housing

common in LDC cities demand for housing exceeds supply, leading

to housing shortage / housing attainability --> overcrowding

Poor quality of housing

common in both LDC and MDC cities urban slums = legal, low-rent housing in inner

city areas squatters = illegal (usually not rent-paying) ho

using in inner city areas / at city margins / on hillslopes

Urban decay

common in both LDC and MDC cities substandard and derelict buildings poor sanitation / inadequate facilities congested / overcrowding living condition / high building

density narrow streets / traffic congestion lack of recreational space / parks / social facilities lack of planning / mixed land use environmental pollution / environmentally degraded poor aesthetic value fire hazards social problems like family conflicts / mental distresses /

theft / vandalism urban ghetto / racial segregation

1.1.1 Causes and Impacts of Housing Problem in LDCs

Inadequate quantity Large natural increase Rapid rural-urban migration from rural push

factors Over-population and pseudo-urbanization

1.1.1 Causes and Impacts of Housing Problem in MDCs

Housing demand > supply Keen competition of land uses Second World War Overcrowding

rural-urban migration and overseas in-migration

started in the early 20th century The nowadays' most affected destinies are

the USA, UK, South Europe The immigrants usually come from Africa,

China, Eastern Europe, South America and Middle East.

United States - Inflow of foreign-born population from Asia (total) as a percentage of total inflow: 1984 – 37.9%; 2004 – 35.7%

limited space but keen competition among different land users

economic development pushes the urban land value up

forcing many low-income residents and high proportion of minority groups to live in slums in inner city areas

Second World War

many houses were seriously damaged and destroyed during WWII.

The housing stock was badly depleted.

Overcrowding

overcrowding and tenants sub-letting their units mainly occur in older housing near the CBD --> forming slums in inner city areas

Substandard housing

Socially, both slums and squatter housing are a reflection of unequal access to urban resources because squatter residents belong to the low-income, poor, socio-economically and politically marginal group in society.

Slums

they are found in transition zones next to the CBD, where houses are deteriorating, without adequate

amenities the tenants are too poor to improve the living

conditions

Slums

in MDC cities, landlords have moved out to the suburbs (suburbanization of the high-income groups) due to improved transport links

some areas are ghettos of minor racial immigrant groups

some industries have relocated to the suburbs (suburbanization of industrial activities)

local government has little income from tax to improve the living environment

Squatters

they are illegal, temporary housing found on roof tops hillslopes fringing the urban areas and on stilts or boats in the sheltered coastal a

reas near the city

Squatters

they are usually the result of a large influx of new-comers / rural migrants to the city and also be the population growth of the poor

Squatters

squatters settlements are known as “shanty towns” which are characterized by: scrap materials, e.g. wood and metal sheeting insufficient basic services, e.g. sanitation,

water, electricity overcrowded settlements

Poor living environment Environmental pollution

due to the mixed land use (workshops and retail units + residential units)

land-use conflicts poor air quality + noise and land pollution

Fire and health hazards these squatter huts are built of wood and cardboard there are no surface roads / electricity supply / water and

sewage facilities creating fire and health risks

Social problems family conflicts mental distresses theft, robberies, crimes, vandalism ethnic and social segregation

Solutions to housing problems

New town development Urban renewal Slums / squatters clearance Provision of more housing

New Town development

new town = a planned community aiming at solving certain problems, e.g. population redistribution

Fanling-Sheung Shui

Shatin

Tsuen Wan

Tin Shui Wai

Tai Po

Tseung Kwan O

Tung Chung

Yuen Long

Factors of new town development

to relieve congested urban areas to decentralize industries for land use separation for administration purpose

New town development

The development of new towns / satellite towns general involves the outward movement of urban residents to the peripheral areas.

New town development

However, not all the residents are willing to move though they are suffering from rather poor living environment because they cannot afford the higher rent in the new

town they have to spend more time on journey-to-

work they have to pay higher transport cost in

journey-to-work

New town development

Therefore, new town development / satellite towns must be associated with the process of industrial decentralization. In this way, people moving outward may find their new jobs in the surrounding areas easily.

Successful in HK?

New towns green towns Can multiple-nuclei really help? Heavy commuting traffic nowadays Tin Shui Wai = City of sorrow?

Urban renewal

Urban renewal

Redevelopment = the demolition of bad housing

Rehabilitation = involves improvement of existing old buildings and environment rather than demolition of buildings

What is rehabilitation?

Rehabilitation includes the renovation and management of buildings, such as improving external

appearance of buildings by cleaning and repairing

fitting new windows and new doors

installing indoor toilets and baths

redesigning recreational areas

Rehabilitation

causes less disruption to residents less social disruption and resentment involves less financial cost, especially compensation helps preserve and restore buildings of cultural,

historical and architectural value the living environment is greatly upgraded

slum / squatter clearance

replaced by public housing to solve the problems of landslides / fire

hazards / poor living conditions

building more adequate houses

through public organizations, e.g. Housing Authority / Housing Society in Hong Kong

or private sectors / developers

Ultimate solution

Sustainable city development = "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." ["Our Common Future", 1987]

finding ways to increase prosperity and improve the quality of life while reducing overall pollution and waste;

meeting our own needs and aspirations without doing damage to the prospects of future generations;

and reducing the environmental burden we put on our neighbours and helping to preserve common resources. ("1999 Policy Address")

Recent issues

Land use conflicts Siting of dangerous / undesirable industries Locational advantages / disadvantages Urban planning building density / height Reserve 20% space below the ridgeline Cityscape / streetscape Preservation vs economic development

Why building government headquarters at Tamar site? Long-term solution to the acute shortage of office space face

d by the Government Secretariat and LegCo The new Central Government Complex will provide centralised

accommodation for the offices with core policy formulation functions and thereby enhance the operational efficiency of the Government Secretariat.

The new Legislative Council Complex will provide sufficient office space and improved facilities for Members and staff, and also room for future expansion where necessary.

Enhancing vibrancy of waterfront and opening up the site for the public's enjoyment The Tamar project will enhance the appeal and vibrancy of the

harbourfront area and convey Hong Kong's position as Asia's world city.

The open space will be integrated with the adjoining waterfront promenade to provide about 10.8 hectares of recreational area along the Central waterfront for the public's enjoyment.

Job creation About 2,700 jobs will be created.

救救中華白海豚 反對中電大鴉洲計劃 反對在大鴉洲興建液化天然氣站環保團體對中電液化天然氣接收站選址建議發表聯合聲明

本文署名環保團體支持採用天然氣發電，以減輕環境污染，但我們反對有關方面考慮在大鴉洲興建液化天然氣接收站。

我們認為中電建議在大鴉洲興建液化天然氣站，在興建過程和未來運作上，必對大鴉洲和鄰近水域的生態與生物，包括中華白海豚，造成無可避免的影響。有關方面沒有足夠理據支持現時建議的選址。

我們認為仍有其他選址可以為香港提供穩定的天然氣，亦不認同香港為解決一個環境問題而製造另一個環境問題。

Reference

Siting of government headquarters http://www.tamar.gov.hk/proposal.htm

Proposed LNG station at Soko Island http://www.wwf.org.hk/aboutlife/2006winter/Soko.pdf

Development of PRD http://www.pland.gov.hk/misc/great_prd/gprd_e.htm

HK 2030 http://www.hk2030.gov.hk/eng/home/ http://www.hk2030.gov.hk/eng/finalreport/

Sustainable Development in HK http://www.susdev.org.hk/