Changing Spatial Segregation in Hong Kong 1991-2001

Recent release of the 2006 by-census figures reveals a continual deterioration of income disparity in Hong Kong and seems to further substantiates the thesis that Hong Kong is becoming a dual city. Yet, contrary to experience in North America, previous research failed to uncover growing spatial segregation within the city. It is argued in the literature that the absence of apparent spatial segregation may attribute to intervening local institutional factors, such as the welfare state effort particularly the provision of large scale public housing, or in the case of Hong Kong, the leasehold system of land and deliberate town planning effort of comprehensive private housing development on a large parcel of land. On the other hand, size of the spatial unit of analysis used in previous research may also be too big in allowing sensitive detection of the underlying segregation pattern in a compact city. This paper attempts to offer enhancement on the exploration of spatial segregation in Hong Kong. To improve the sensitivity of analysis, it would employ finer spatial unit of analysis of Census data at the ward and street block levels. Whereas on local intervening factors, the paper will focus on an additional dimension of segregation, the physical built environment. It will highlight the impact of urban decay on social and spatial segregation in a world city.