The Role of Narrative in Shaping Space: a morphological Study on Urban Transformations in Hong Kong

Abstract

<p>The research presented here stems from a pilot study that develops a comprehensive programme to systematically investigate and represent the morphological evolution of urban complexes in Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China. Housing and mixed-use urban areas in Hong Kong are facing rapid economic and social change. While the city has been much-researched, this contribution presents a unique perspective and applies a different lens and theoretical approach better suited to this particular environment. A historical narrative of how the city has evolved has been compiled, allowing us to re-think how it may be sustained, thrive and further develop in the future by considering alternative strategies for design, funding, management and procurement in the built environment. An understanding of history is crucial to the envisioning of a future. Hong Kong’s urban blocks and housing estates built before and immediately after the Second World War (WWII) have been partially demolished, inadequately maintained or transformed into an increasingly high-rise and highly dense urban form. As the author believes, they represent a unique urban development pattern, which planners and designers should acknowledge in the future. Successful urban regeneration cases must be adequately explained and illustrated; some are large and integrated, and others are small and fragmented. This chapter intends to create a coherent body of knowledge of the evolution in three central areas in Hong Kong: North Point, Quarry Bay and Wan Chai.</p><p>Firstly, this chapter discusses the nature of urban density and provides a general city background. Secondly, it introduces urban morphological concepts and research strategies applied in observing urban transformations at time and spatial levels. Thirdly, it provides three case analyses observed from the literature review and the mapping of physical changes. In conclusion, the chapter identifies the particular characteristics of urban transformation processes and housing prototype evolution. The study argues that the quality of mixed-use in the gentrification of a city, amidst pressure from the intensification of land use, can be achieved within the existing urban fabric and lessons extrapolated for new developments. The chapter concludes by showing how newly constructed narratives may help us gain a deeper understanding of our cities, influence us and help us better conceptualise our future. By changing the narrative and representation methods, new imaginaries may be broadened, and new thinking and practice may be evoked.</p>