Assess the effectiveness of urban redevelopment project implemented by the Urban Renewal Authority : a case study on Kwun Tong Town centre project

Abstract

According to URA, the organization was designed to act as either implementer or facilitator in urban redevelopment projects with a “people first” basis. The aim of redevelopment was set to improve quality of life of local residents and promote proper building maintenance, yet, URA had been commented on its fail to maintain its “people first” approach when economic benefit from the project drives in, voices of local society was ignored and the in-district improvements bring by redevelopment does not benefit local community but only allowing privatization of land resources to developers, middle class or even speculators. In terms of care to local community under “people first” approach as intended to practice by URA, the outcome had been ineffective and not corresponding to its approach, compensation policies have led to social unfairness; the high capital sources dependence on public private partnership in redevelopment project driven by the self-financing characteristics of URA further worsens in-district housing affordability when marginalization and gentrification take place; from social and economic side of local people, the redevelopment is unsatisfactory and disappointing while URA and private developers seems being the winners. Yet, URA had shown its effort on improving transportation facilities as a part of urban planning with harm to local at relatively lower level than to social and economic aspects.