Urban problems

1. Urban problems Housing problems

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. MDC City LDC City RURAL-URBAN MIGRATION CBD OVERSEAS MIGRANTS Inner city Outward migration of higher-income group

6. Housing problems • Inadequate quantity • Housing shortage • Overcrowding • Poor quality • Slums • Squatters • Poor sanitation, pollution, social problems… • Urban decay

7. Inadequate quantity of housing • common in LDC cities • demand for housing exceeds supply, leading to housing shortage / housing attainability --> overcrowding

8. 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) housing in inner city areas / at city margins / on hillslopes

9. 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

10. 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

11. 1.1.1 Causes and Impacts of Housing Problem in MDCs • Housing demand > supply • Keen competition of land uses • Second World War • Overcrowding

12. 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%

13. 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

14. Second World War • many houses were seriously damaged and destroyed during WWII. • The housing stock was badly depleted.

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

16. 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.

17. 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

18. 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

19. Squatters • they are illegal, temporary housing found • on roof tops • hillslopes fringing the urban areas • and on stilts or boats in the sheltered coastal areas near the city

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. Solutions to housing problems • New town development • Urban renewal • Slums / squatters clearance • Provision of more housing

24. New Town development • new town = a planned community aiming at solving certain problems, e.g. population redistribution

25. Fanling-Sheung Shui

26. Shatin

27. Tsuen Wan

28. Tin Shui Wai

29. Tai Po

30. Tseung Kwan O

31. Tung Chung

32. Yuen Long

33. Factors of new town development • to relieve congested urban areas • to decentralize industries • for land use separation • for administration purpose

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

35. 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

36. 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.

37. Successful in HK? • New towns  green towns • Can multiple-nuclei really help? • Heavy commuting traffic nowadays • Tin Shui Wai = City of sorrow?

38. Urban renewal

39. Urban renewal • Redevelopment = the demolition of bad housing • Rehabilitation = involves improvement of existing old buildings and environment rather than demolition of buildings

40. 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

41. 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

42. slum / squatter clearance • replaced by public housing • to solve the problems of landslides / fire hazards / poor living conditions

43. building more adequate houses • through public organizations, e.g. Housing Authority / Housing Society in Hong Kong • or private sectors / developers

44. 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")

45. 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

48. Why building government headquarters at Tamar site? • Long-term solution to the acute shortage of office space faced 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.

49. 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。