The Pattern Of Urban Life In Hong Kong 
CENTRAL POLICY UNIT
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
THE PATTERN OF URBAN LIFE IN HONG KONG: A DISTRICT
LEVEL COMMUNITY STUDY OF SHAM SHUI PO
THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG FEBRUARY 2012
i
Executive Summary
1. Introduction
This research was commissioned by the Central Policy Unit of the HKSAR
Government in response to the growing public concern over the socio-economic problems and urban decay in Sham Shui Po (hereafter as SSP). Studies on the urban life revolving SSP have been spasmodic. It is only until the mid-2000s that academics and the public began to put more attention to the district. At the moment, there is a modicum of studies already conducted, and the public seems to have developed stereotypes of the district, which is widely seen as a dilapidated and hopeless geographical area. Building on the existing studies, this research is intended to take a fresh look and systematically analyze the pattern of urban life in SSP, the socio-economic problems in the district and the ways in which such problems can be possibly tackled. The pattern of people’s life and the ‘SSP problems’ are complex and multi-dimensional. Social issues and economics are mingled with politics and physical environments. For this reason, the research adopts an integrated approach, drawing on different disciplines such as politics, geography, social work, architecture and cultural studies in order to examine the pattern of urban life in SSP.
2.
Research Puzzle
ii
SSP is one of the oldest districts in Hong Kong. Similar to other old districts, SSP is afflicted with urban decay. To add to the complication, SSP is stricken with a range of social and economic maladies. For example, in 2008 the median household monthly income of SSP (HKD$13,800) is the lowest among all District Council districts
(HKD$18,000) (Census and Statistical Department, 2008). Likewise, the labor force participation rate of SSP (56.3 percent) is
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION
THE PATTERN OF URBAN LIFE IN HONG KONG: A DISTRICT
LEVEL COMMUNITY STUDY OF SHAM SHUI PO
THE CHINESE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG FEBRUARY 2012
i
Executive Summary
1. Introduction
This research was commissioned by the Central Policy Unit of the HKSAR
Government in response to the growing public concern over the socio-economic problems and urban decay in Sham Shui Po (hereafter as SSP). Studies on the urban life revolving SSP have been spasmodic. It is only until the mid-2000s that academics and the public began to put more attention to the district. At the moment, there is a modicum of studies already conducted, and the public seems to have developed stereotypes of the district, which is widely seen as a dilapidated and hopeless geographical area. Building on the existing studies, this research is intended to take a fresh look and systematically analyze the pattern of urban life in SSP, the socio-economic problems in the district and the ways in which such problems can be possibly tackled. The pattern of people’s life and the ‘SSP problems’ are complex and multi-dimensional. Social issues and economics are mingled with politics and physical environments. For this reason, the research adopts an integrated approach, drawing on different disciplines such as politics, geography, social work, architecture and cultural studies in order to examine the pattern of urban life in SSP.
2.
Research Puzzle
ii
SSP is one of the oldest districts in Hong Kong. Similar to other old districts, SSP is afflicted with urban decay. To add to the complication, SSP is stricken with a range of social and economic maladies. For example, in 2008 the median household monthly income of SSP (HKD$13,800) is the lowest among all District Council districts
(HKD$18,000) (Census and Statistical Department, 2008). Likewise, the labor force participation rate of SSP (56.3 percent) is