Author Description

This dissertation, "Urban Development and Evolution in Hong Kong: Reciprocity Between Nature and Culture" by, Wing-ho, Michael, Chan, was obtained from The University of Hong Kong (Pokfulam, Hong Kong) and is being sold pursuant to Creative Commons: Attribution 3.0 Hong Kong License. The content of this dissertation has not been altered in any way. We have altered the formatting in order to facilitate the ease of printing and reading of the dissertation. All rights not granted by the above license are retained by the author. Abstract: Abstract of the thesis entitled URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND EVOLUTION IN HONG KONG: RECIPROCITY BETWEEN NATURE AND CULTURE Submitted by Chan Wing Ho, Michael for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at The University of Hong Kong in September 2007 This research focuses on the evolution of urban development and land administration in Hong Kong. It attempts to evaluate the factors and interacting processes which affect changes in land use, under the intertwined influences of topography, social make-up of the population, economic activities, government policies, military needs, administrative practices, third sector, and the commercial interests of land developing companies. Pertinent themes were selected to cover the selection of Hong Kong as the first colony in China ceded to the British, location of Victoria City, mode of city development, role of urban development, private sectors, government planning policies and the possible trends of urban growth. Five major areas were set to frame the study: 1) Hong Kong as the first British colony in China due to its geographical advantages; 2) topography as the dominating control on city location and urban development; 3) early urban development''s influences and controls on present urban zoning; 4) roles of the Government, private sector, public sector and military on urban development; and 5) improving accessibility to the praya as to enhance public enjoyment of the harbour-front of H