published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

published_or_final_version / Architecture / Doctoral / Doctor of Philosophy

Home ownership has been recognised by most of the literatures as the preferable tenure compared with the renters. It has been the housing policy of the Hong Kong Government to promote home ownership to increase the sense of belonging of the Hong Kong people. This paper attempted to explore if home-owning would have impact on one’s sense of belonging in the low-income group by making comparison of the sense of belonging between the PRH tenants and the HOS owners. The results of the survey revealed that the HOS owners did have a higher sense of belonging than the PRH tenants. Nevertheless, home ownership is not the main contribution. There are other factors affecting one’s sense of belonging. In the unique political situation of Hong Kong, the analysis shows that ‘family’ is the most significant element in anchoring the sense of belonging of the low-income group. However, the findings also confirmed that home ownership would bring societal benefits in fostering a sense of belonging among the public as well as to bring neighbourhood stability through homeowners’ social participation and attachment to the local community. Both the PRH tenants and HOS owners indicated home-owing being their preferred housing tenure. Despite that there are many respondents viewed that the societal benefits from home ownership may also be achieved in the public rental housing estates, they agreed that the Government should offer subsidies to the Hong Kong people to assist them in acquiring home ownership in the form of HOS. It is justified that the Hong Kong Government will re-launch the HOS in the near future to realise the aspiration of home ownership of the low-income people and the young generation in view of the incredibly high housing prices which are far beyond their housing affordability. It is also observed that the public rental housing estates did offer a stable community to the PRH tenants who rated an admirable score of sense of belonging to Hong Kong. To promote sense of belonging, provision of more housing rental flats to low-income people is strongly recommended. / published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

A just city is what urban planning should be fighting for. In Chinese cities, however, spatial justice has been seriously overlooked in many aspects of urban development. Using the theoretical framework devised with spatial justice theories, urban power structure, and the theories and practices of urban renewal and housing for migrants in developed countries, this dissertation has evaluated the impacts of urban planning and urban policies on the housing for migrant workers. A case study of the redevelopment project of Liede Village in Guangzhou has been conducted to illustrate the scenario. Findings show that the policies and planning have brought together the government, the market, and the village, making them the core of the growth coalition, and marginalizing the migrant workers in the situation of the redevelopment of urban villages in Guangzhou. This alliance, aiming for growth, has helped commoditize the space reproduced during the process. The commoditization of land and housing is driving up the value of the properties. Migrant workers with limited income and rural Hukou status can only move to other villages. While Guangzhou is planning to redevelop nearly all the urban villages within the city core, migrant workers have to migrate to places where is far from the city center to seek for affordable housing, completing a migration pattern from the city center to the edge. It is concluded that the spatial injustice in the problem of the urban villages in Guangzhou has not been solved with the redevelopment. In contrast, it is exacerbated by urban planning and urban policies. A more inclusive, peopleoriented planning approach as well as other institutional changes is required for promoting spatial justice in Chinese cities. / published_or_final_version / Urban Planning and Design / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

Like most of the developed cities in the world, Hong Kong has to prepare for the challenges of ageing population after decades of sweet economic growth brought by the baby boom after World War II. According to the projection by the Census and Statistics Department carried out in 2011, the number of people aged 65 and above will rise significantly from 13% in 2011 to 30% in 2041. While almost 40% of the elderly are living in public housing; and numerous researches suggest “Ageing in place” is the unarguable preference of the elderly for them to live with dignity and autonomy in their familiar community, this study is therefore focusing on two questions: First, whether the prevailing housing provisions and policies could facilitate ageing in place for the elderly in the public rental housing estates. Second, what is the way forward for successful and sustainable ageing in place in public rental housing in the coming era of ageing. Three key elements for ageing in place are identified including adequate provision of affordable housing; suitable “environment” meeting the elderly’s needs in physical and social aspects; and a living arrangement assisting formal care by professionals and informal cares by families. Empirical findings concluded that the accessibility of public rental housing for the elderly in the past decade was adequate. However, analysis on the trends of demand and supply for waiting list applicants revealed the potential shortage in future by reference to the lengthening waiting time despite the priority schemes for the elderly all along. The main reasons are the strong resistance to new estate development; and ageing of existing stock. A thorough research in the current housing policies revealed that the Hong Kong Housing Authority has implemented vigorous maintenance and improvements works; and numerous management policies in facilitating the aged people living in public rental housing estates. Their effectiveness was assessed through a case study on a representative old public rental housing estate viz. Kwai Shing West Estate comprising a questionnaire survey with a sample of 49 elderly respondents; field study on the estate facilities and services; and interviews with five knowledgeable stakeholders of government official, resident representative, elderly services providers and District Councillor sharing insights from different perspectives. Case study findings supported that the elderly were satisfied with their living conditions and community in public rental housing estate. However, they generally looked for better transport; more recreational facilities and open spaces; as well as social gathering opportunities to enhance their social lives. On the dark side, the social and community support services were inadequate as limited by the historical establishment and imbalanced allocation amongst estates. The current policies have also failed to identify and assist those “Hidden” elderly. Furthermore, the elderly were not much aware of the social services and housing policies fostering harmonious families. At last, the deteriorating trend of co-residence of the young and elder generations has been weakening the family support and increasing demand on social services of daily living assistance. Based on the empirical findings in my study, several recommendations on the way forward in enhancing ageing in place in public rental housing are attempted. / published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management

published_or_final_version / Housing Management / Master / Master of Housing Management