A Study of Gentrification in Hong Kong

Gentrification has accompanied social polarization and urban redevelopment and renewal in many global cities. While Hong Kong has experienced significant socio-economic polarization associated with its shift from a manufacturing to a higher order services economy, this polarization has not been duplicated spatially to a large extent because of institutional and other obstacles to redevelopment of the city's obsolete housing stock. Nevertheless redevelopment is accelerating as are complex processes of gentrification. Using Kennedy Town in Hong Kong as a case study, this research seeks to identify the main commercial changes associated with redevelopment and gentrification, and identify and evaluate the social impact of gentrification on both the incomers and original residents.