Redevelopment of aging public estates: evaluation of sustainable development of subsidised housing

Abstract

Announced few months before, a public housing estate in Hong Kong, Ming Wah Dai Ha, which is owned and managed by Hong Kong Housing Society which is planned, is to process redevelopment in the coming years (HKHS, 2011). The social voice nowadays are focusing on the land provided by the redevelopment project can be used as subsidized housing to fulfill the housing demand for better housing and home owning aspiration of the lower or middle income group. However, at the other side, development caused changes to the living of the residents there, and also the environment and social culture of that area.

This discussion has drawn my attention that whether redevelopment of public housing estates in Hong Kong is a sustainable way of housing development or not. It is both important to meet the housing needs of the people and to preserve the environment. Land is scarce in the urban area of Hong Kong, we know that it need to put at top priority to fulfill the need of citizens who still on the waiting list or suffer for high housing costs. However, the role of housing management organizations and housing managers should have the responsibility on maintaining the quality of living environment.

For the case of Ming Wah Dai Ha, many councilors from political parties request the government to redevelop to use the land for My Home Purchase Plan. The request reflects the subsidized public housing policy now cannot satisfy the need of citizen on their desire on home ownership or even harmonious living environment. The unfulfilled right could be the result of problems, such as affordability and long waiting time for subsidized housing. These housing problems show the deficiencies of the existing housing policies in Hong Kong.

I think this is an interesting topic for us to review, evaluate and recommend, on the issues on balancing the need of subsidized housing by citizens and the impact of redevelopment on the society, for selecting the suitable way for sustainable housing development in Hong Kong.