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Hong Kong’s
LAND DEADLOCK

How large is Hong Kong compared to Singapore?

Hong Kong has a land area of 1,100 km , in which
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a quarter is developed while the remaining is
undeveloped land, including country parks and Green
Belt sites. Meanwhile, Singapore has a land area of 720
km , or only 65% of Hong Kong, but it has already
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developed 75% of its land (530 km ). Singapore’s
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developed land is double that of Hong Kong.

How crowded is How small are
Hong Kong? Hong Kong’s flats?

The population density in Hong Kong The living space per person in
far surpasses other metropolises – Hong Kong is 170 square feet,
in each km lives 27,400 people, a which is less than one and a half car
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ratio higher than that in Mumbai and parking space. The living space per
two times that of Singapore. In person in Singapore and in
some more crowded districts Shanghai are both larger than
like Kwun Tong, the per km Hong Kong by about 100
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population count can reach square feet.
59,400.

How expensive are Hong Kong’s flats?

If we divide Hong Kong’s median property
price of HK$6.2 million in 2017 by its
median household annual income of
HK$320,000, we get a median multiple of
19.4x. This means that in order to purchase
a flat, an average household would need to
save 19 years’ worth of their income Hong Kong ranks as the world’s
no. 1 city with the least
without other expenses. Hong Kong affordable home prices for the
ranks as the world’s no. 1 city with the
least affordable home prices for the EIGHTH YEAR
eighth year in a row. IN A ROW

How does Hong Kong’s land shortage problem
put a strain on our transportation system
and environment?
Firstly, commute time has increased. In 2016, the average car journey speed during
peak hours was 20.2 km/h in Hong Kong Island, which is not much faster than the
average cycling speed of 15.5 km/h. Public transport congestion is also a
severe problem – the MTR’s Tsuen Wan line was operating at its full capacity at a
reading of 102% capacity in 2015 during its morning peak hours, assuming each
m has the capacity of four people.
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Secondly, with high population density and traffic congestion, Hong Kong’s air
pollution causes 6,300 premature deaths and 45,000 visits to clinics every year.
Lastly, with a lack of recreational facilities, elderly facilities and community centres,
Hong Kong’s per capita community land is only 7 m , making it hard to foster a
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sense of belonging towards the community.