It's a fault but not mine : 'living' in industrial buildings in Hong Kong

Abstract

This research studies the growing trend of using industrial buildings for domestic purpose in Hong Kong. There is a lack of literature and government statistics examining the industrial residents in Hong Kong. This research team made site visits, stayed in an industrial flat and conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 industrial residents and ex-residents, and asked seven of them to participate in a photovoice project. The team studied the condition of industrial residents in Hong Kong in five categories: i) definition of industrial residents; ii) socio-economic status; iii) decision-making process of moving in and out of industrial buildings; iv) daily living and coping strategies; and v) perception and the neutralisation process. Rational choice theory and neutralisation theory are used to illustrate the behaviour and perception of industrial residents. The research findings reveal that the residents are not people with low socio-economic status, most of our participants are young adults with higher education attainment, and most of their income is higher than the median monthly income of the Hong Kong labour force. The major reasons for living in the industrial buildings are the affordable rent, the fact that the industrial buildings can provide a satisfactory living environment, personal space, and convenience for work. Challenges of living in industrial buildings are caused by its illegality and the unsafe environment. Residents keep a low profile to avoid being detected and adopt different strategies to cope with problems there. However, joys can be discovered in the struggles, and some of the residents found freedom, good living standards, and friendliness with neighbours, and security guards. Although living in industrial buildings is illegal, most of the residents do not perceive living in industrial buildings as morally blameworthy behaviour.