Investigating informal settlement and infrastructure adequacy for future resilient urban center in Hong Kong, SAR

Abstract

The growth of urban centres all over the world creates major concerns for the designers, architects and environmentalist. But the growth of Chinese cities, Hong Kong in particular is of greater concern considering the rapid population and economic growth of the country. Considering the challenge of Hong Kong city as one of the recent metropolitan cities of the world with the growing challenges of housing, informal settlement, public space and infrastructure adequacy this study is inevitable at this moment. This paper investigates, the nature of informal settlement and the adequacy of infrastructure provision in Hong KongMergeCell and assess socio-economic characteristics of such settlement to foster the required future urban growth that is resilient and sustainable. The study adopts case study methodology, mixed methods exploratory approach of data collection and analysis. Primary source of data collection through the use of reconnaissance survey, observation, direct interaction with resident and stakeholders of selected settlements with the support of literature search (secondary data) were adopted. Data were analysed, interpreted, and results integrated to reflect the characteristics of informal settlement and infrastructure adequacy in Hong Kong urban centres for future resilience. Recommendations were made according to the research findings.