The missing pillar of soft facility management : a case study on the development of a vertical city in Sham Shui Po

Abstract

The housing crisis has been a pressing issue in Hong Kong due to the limited land supply and growing population. Several solutions have been suggested, among which “vertical city” is one of the new solutions advocated by the Urban Renewal Authority and the Town Planning Board. Vertical city is a colossal high-rise building containing a comprehensive array of elements essential for human habitation, including but not limited to residential units, offices, shopping centers, restaurants, recreational facilities, and entertainment amenities. The concept of “vertical city” has been adopted overseas, such as in Melbourne and Singapore. As there is no prior experience of managing a vertical city in Hong Kong, this study explores the best facility management practices for this type of development. Considering the insufficient research on soft facility management in this context, this study aims to investigate customized soft facility management strategies that address people’s concerns and needs pertinently. To provide more detailed research, this study has concentrated on a particular district, Sham Shui Po, allowing an in-depth analysis with tailored solutions. Sham Shui Po has been one of the districts facing severe housing problems, housing a significant number of the population in subdivided units. In addition, Sham Shui Po, being an aging and dense district, presents opportunities for upcoming redevelopment. Therefore, this study has aimed to explore the unique characteristics and needs of Sham Shui Po, while exploring valuable insights in soft facility management that could be adopted in a local vertical city. This study has employed a mixed-research-methodology approach, incorporating quantitative surveys with SSP residents, qualitative interviews with stakeholders and facility management experts, and a case study. From the data from quantitative surveys and stakeholder interviews, three key values of Sham Shui Po residents have been gathered, namely “comfortable living”, “proximity to amenities”, and “high quality of life”, which can be categorized as social sustainability. Given that residents emphasize social sustainability, soft facility management should be implemented within a vertical city to uphold these values and ensure the best living experience. Moving on to the potential concerns of a vertical city, the results from qualitative surveys and stakeholder interviews have provided five key concerns, including “vertical stratification”, “social isolation”, “lack of outdoor experience and recreational spaces”, “lack of green spaces”, and “diminished social characteristics”. Interestingly, their concerns are also related to social sustainability, which aligns with their core values. Therefore, corresponding soft facility management strategies have been suggested to ensure social sustainability in a vertical city. By gathering valuable insights from expert interviews and studying a successful case, STH BNK By Beulah in Melbourne, soft facility management strategies have been suggested regarding four major aspects, including “strategically locate different uses”, “event management”, “landscaping management”, and “general soft facility management”. Not only should these practices be implemented when managing a vertical city in Sham Shui Po, but they should also serve as a foundation of soft facility management of other vertical cities in Hong Kong. In conclusion, the missing pillar in soft facility management is “social sustainability”, which is a key driver of a high quality of life and comfortable living, especially in the context of a vertical city.