Interplay of Street Politics and the Origins of High-Density Standards in Hong Kong’s Resettlement Housing

Abstract

This study explores the origins of the density policy of resettlement housing in Hong Kong. Drawing on Alan Smart’s research, a key argument presented is that the density standards were a response to geopolitical pressures from street sleepers, influencing the colonial government to provide permanent resettlement housing. By adopting the theoretical concept of repertoire of contention, this archival research, supplemented by left-wing newspapers, scrutinizes the varying responses, including propaganda and street relief, to the Tung Tau and Shek Kip Mei fires. This study traces the origins of density policy in resettlement efforts, aligning with Moroni’s view that “the mere quantity of density is meaningless unless it serves a broader purpose.” Density control in the resettlement process was the premise for colonial legitimacy. This study fills gaps in Smart’s research and contributes to the high-density living discourse beyond the conventional narrative of Hong Kong’s housing landscape.