Study Tour | Evolution of the City: Discovering Hong Kong’s Public Housing Story
Hong Kong, long known for its housing scarcity, was among the early providers of public housing estates in Asia. Following a tragic fire that broke out on Christmas Day in a Kowloon squatter area in 1953, the Government established Shek Kip Mei Estate as city’s first public housing to resettle 53,000 refugees. Since then, Hong Kong’s public housing model has evolved, but its first public housing prototype, the Mark I Resettlement Block, continues to be recognized today for its unique architectural design and the estate, an urban planning model.
Dr. Rosman Wai will bring us on an in-depth walking tour of Mei Ho House and the wider Shek Kip Mei Estate, including a revitalized flatted factory building, a special feature in public housing estates to meet tenants’ needs. In spite of decade upon decade of redevelopment and regeneration over 70 years, Shek Kip Mei Estate continues to be a vibrant residential community today.
Dr. Wai will guide us through the history from the emergence of the world’s famous public housing programme in Hong Kong to its development through time. We will see first-hand how graded historic buildings such as Mei Ho House have been given a new lease on life today, having been re-purposed into a museum and a youth hostel while the flatted factory into a creative arts hub.
End with an optional local lunch at neighbouring, soon-to-be- redeveloped Choi Hung Estate, which is Instagram-famous worldwide for its eponymous rainbow façade. This tour is recommended for anyone interested in urban planning and design, public housing, social policy, and the history of architecture.
Know Before You Go Cost:
- US$60 per person (does not include lunch)
- Eligibility: Open to ULI Asia Pacific Summit 2025 delegates by registration only.
- Capacity: Limited spots available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Departure Point: Regent Hotel.
- What to Bring: An umbrella, comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and a bottle of water.
How to Register
- Select your preferred tour when registering for the Summit.
- Already registered? You can sign up for a study tour by managing your registration [here].
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