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Urban planning

Urban planning
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Urban planning. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Sewoon Plaza in Seoul. Built in 1968, the plaza was South Korea’s first mixed-use residential and commercial complex. Photo: David D. Lee
South Korea

Iconic South Korean district on the brink in divisive urban renewal fight

Conservationists worry that reshaping Seoul’s Sewoon District risks erasing both heritage and livelihoods.

Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Patriotism is not a business plan for the Northern Metropolis

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Hong Kong transport

Editorial | Kai Tak’s transport solution could be a model for other Hong Kong districts

The Philippines

Manila vs Hong Kong: the 2 sides of Asia’s housing affordability crisis

Asia is home to 60 per cent of the world’s slum dwellers and some of the planet’s most expensive real estate.

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Children walk through a flooded area in Baseco, one of the biggest slums in Manila, the Philippines. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong culture

Opinion | Why securing Hong Kong’s economic future is a cultural question

One-off events are not enough for a city in dire need of a cultural revival that nurtures its subcultures and lets future creators thrive.

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Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong’s Exco gives green light to plans for Kai Tak monorail

Route will stretch 3.5km, connecting Kai Tak Cruise Terminal to MTR station, with four stops in between.

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Hong Kong society

Editorial | Balance is vital for urban Hong Kong to coexist with wild animals

Monitoring numbers and humane management will boost the city’s reputation and respect for a rich natural fabric alongside urban development.

A wild boar is seen at Fei Ngo Shan Road on August 21, 2024. The number of wild pigs fell from about 1,830 in 2022 to around 900 in 2024. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong tourism

New 200-berth marina, clubhouse planned in Hong Kong revamp of Aberdeen site

Development Bureau aims to launch first tender for a marina in nearly 40 years in 2027.

100 Top Tables: Cities of Gastronomy

How Unesco’s Creative Cities are reimagining tomorrow, from food to design

From Macau’s City of Gastronomy status to Unesco’s new focus on architecture, the UCCN is rewriting how cities harness creativity to shape their future.

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Macau Government Tourism Office
Hong Kong society

Plan for full taxi access to Discovery Bay sparks anger among residents

More than 1,100 people sign petition calling for greater public consultation.

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Taxi access in Discovery Bay is currently restricted to the north of the development. Photo: Roy Issa
Hong Kong economy

Northern Metropolis land-use laws won’t undermine board’s authority: experts

Compressing procedures to two months will break traditional development ‘shackles’, lawmaker argues.

The Northern Metropolis scheme covers 30,000 hectares of land near the border with mainland China. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong environmental issues

Opinion | To stay competitive, Hong Kong must embrace nature-based solutions

The government’s push for improved urban design is strategic and timely. Now it must turn ideas into action.

Hong Kong courts

Hong Kong government: golf course flats study has ‘no legal effect’ in appeal

Rule changes render environmental study moot, lawyer says as authorities appeal court ruling rejecting report’s approval.

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Hong Kong society

Town planning body slammed for neglecting disabled people over Wan Chai plan

Ex-legislator among those calling for review to make development plan covering Sau Wa Fong and Nam Koo Terrace more barrier-free.

St Francis Street is a major thoroughfare in the neighbourhood connecting Queen’s Road East to the Starstreet Precinct, but its steep and narrow one-way path with a gradient of about 1:6 already poses barriers to residents with disabilities. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong society

HK$5 million plan to install anti-terrorism bollards near Hong Kong’s Sogo store

Authorities plan to place bollards and crash barriers at road crossings near Sogo in Causeway Bay and at the nearby Paterson Street pedestrian precinct.

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An artist’s impression of how the pedestrian crossing at Sogo will look with safety bollards installed. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong economy

Opinion | Northern Metropolis can combine best of central planning and free market

Guided by the national five-year plans, the Hong Kong government is changing policies and offering attractive terms for the project.

Hong Kong society

Letters | How government-led building repairs can work in Hong Kong

Readers discuss the safeguards needed to ensure fairness and effectiveness, and public demand for the coin collection service.

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Architecture and design

Hong Kong’s AI-driven future and human past contrasted in 2 riveting projects

Sterile AI-driven designs at the Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture are at odds with a group’s efforts to preserve community stories.

Visitors view a display at the 2025 Hong Kong Shenzhen Bi-City Biennale of Urbanism\Architecture exhibition at the East Kowloon Cultural Centre. Photo: eKCC
Hong Kong housing

Opinion | Hong Kong’s fire victims need empathy, clarity and a plan

The fire must compel us to re-examine how we assign risk, structure contracts, insure homes and support communities after a catastrophe.

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Hong Kong transport

Hong Kong’s MTR Corp gets green light to plan 7.5km South Island line extension

Transport chief Mable Chan describes the new project as the ‘future power line’ of Southern district.

Indonesia

Deadly Indonesia fire fuels claims of ‘back-room dealings’ on safety

Unions blame bribery for lax enforcement after 22 workers died in a burning Jakarta office building with no emergency exits.

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Firefighters at a building in central Jakarta where a fire killed 22 people on December 9. Photo: TNS
Accidents and personal safety

Letters | Hong Kong’s ageing buildings need better care under stronger rules

Readers call on the government to revamp the city’s governance of building management and repair, and rethink its approach to teenagers’ social media use.

Workers carry out emergency repair works outside Po On Building in Mong Kok on July 5, 2023, after concrete chunks fell off the building for a second time in three days. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong culture

Opinion | Frank Gehry’s vision for Hong Kong’s arts hub was an opportunity lost

Years after Gehry delivered the Guggenheim Bilbao, one of the world’s most successful museums, his vision for Hong Kong was rejected.

Asean

In wake of Hong Kong blaze, Southeast Asia’s fire hazards come under scrutiny

Serious structural defects and inefficient bureaucracy tainted by corruption are common in the region, fire safety experts say.

Hong Kong society

Letters | Commercialisation of Hong Kong’s public venues must come with a caveat

Readers discuss the government’s bid to open up underused public venues, call for a Firefighters’ Day, and take issue with the sensationalisation of news.

Dancers perform at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre piazza on November 16, as part of the Asia+ Festival programme this year. Photo: Sam Tsang
Hong Kong economy

Good deal for all? Can Hong Kong urban renewal body’s payout review fix scheme?

Cash-strapped Urban Renewal Authority is reviewing compensation scheme for flat owners forced out by redevelopment. But is a wider rethink needed?

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Hong Kong economy

Letters | Time for Hong Kong to move on IP trading, or our neighbours will

Readers discuss the city’s still meagre efforts to become a regional IP hub, the community charm of Victoria Park Tennis Stadium, and the use of physical cheques.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong has set course to join the ‘yacht club of Asia’. Can it find a way?

Yacht tourism could potentially be worth billions of dollars annually to Hong Kong’s economy, but unlocking that potential remains a challenge.

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