Adaptive reuse of historic building for public housing estate in Hong Kong : a case study of Wah Ha Estate

Abstract

There are around 8,800 historic buildings in Hong Kong. The historic building is a unique feature to showcase the place's identity or story. However, change is inevitable. Most of the building will be torn down and rebuilt for other uses. Therefore, how to conserve and reuse the building is a challenging topic. Especially to preserve those buildings that have deep meanings for humans. It is difficult to strike a balance between development and conservation. Especially in Hong Kong, even though the Hong Kong government expedited the building of public housing, it still cannot meet the demand. For those low-income groups, getting a subsidized housing is a dream. However, the Hong Kong Housing Authority launched an adaptive reuse project in Chai Wan. It is called Wah Ha Estate. It is the adaptive reuse of a historic building into a public housing estate. Previously, Wah Ha Estate was a resettlement factory estate named Chai Wan Factory Estate. It has been situated there since 1957. It witnessed the development of Chai Wan. Also, it is the evidence of Hong Kong's industrial development and the identity of its citizens. Therefore, in this research, I am embarking on a unique and pioneering study of the first and only adaptive reuse project in Hong Kong. This project, the conversion of a historic building into a public housing estate, represents a significant shift from industrial to residential use. It is a topic of great interest and importance in the field of urban development and historic preservation, and the uniqueness of this study is sure to pique the interest of all stakeholders. Through this research, I aim to shed light on the process and challenges of the adaptive reuse project. I will examine the impact of this project on economic, environmental, and social metrics and seek insights from professional stakeholders. The findings of this study not only have the potential to inform and shape future projects but also to inspire innovative solutions, offering insight into the current housing situation and the future development in adaptive reuse of Hong Kong.