State-Engineered Temporary Urbanism and Multi-Dimensional Adaptability of the Transitional Housing Scheme in Hong Kong

Abstract

Temporary urbanism, originally a Western response to urban challenges, has spread globally. In Hong Kong, it is embodied by the transitional housing scheme, which departs from Western models through the state’s strong involvement in design, funding and regulation to tackle the acute housing crisis. This article examines the scheme’s development, institutional arrangements and outcomes through adaptability – a core principle of temporary urbanism – using a comprehensive framework with spatial, institutional and social dimensions. Our analysis reveals that while the scheme has navigated bureaucratic constraints via spatial and institutional adaptability, neglect of social adaptability has strained residents and undermined its effectiveness. Two policy gaps stand out: the mismatch between available private temporary space and local needs; and incongruence between simplified government targets and the adaptation burdens borne by users. The study calls for balanced approaches to temporary urbanism that better integrate all three dimensions of adaptability to effectively address urban issues.

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