Hong Kong's High-Density Residential Apartments

Jan 25, 2013 21 comments

Because of historical, political, and geographical reasons, only 23.7% of Hong Kong’s land is developed out of which only 6.8% land is used for housing. No wonder Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated places on the planet, with more than 6,400 people packed into every square kilometre.

Many of the city’s 7 million residents live in high rise apartments that towers Hong Kong’s brilliant skyline. There are a total of 6588 high-rise buildings in all of Hong Kong, far surpassing New York’s 5818 buildings, making Hong Kong a true skyscraper city.

Living conditions, however, are a lot to be desired for with people living like dogs in cages. In order to capture this maddeningly dense and repetitive shoe-box type claustrophobic residential structure, German photographer Michael Wolf has produced a beautiful series called "Architecture of Density."

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The name Michael Wolf might ring a bell to some of you. He is the same photographer behind the Tokyo Compression series.

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Comments

  1. This is an outstanding photographic essay. It certainly points out what high density cities should NOT aspire to.

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  2. Average PPSF: ~US$500
    ps: Hong Kong people

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  3. R Garcia, I disagree. With a finite amount of land, this type of housing is more responsible and sustainable in the long run. As a specie, we should lean more towards a denser and communal style of living.

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  4. The trouble is, many in HK do aspire to live in them. But only because land is a premium and many people cannot afford to live otherwise.

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  5. Fist pic, perfect texture for modeling~

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  6. Horrific concept. Such a large planet, we can live in harmony with nature, yet we choose to build lifeless cement boxes. Humans are a sad spieces...

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  7. Imagine trying to find a parking spot around one of these places.

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    1. Sorry, most people live in these house can't buy a car

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    2. Most middle class in HK can afford a car except public transport is cheaper and very efficient that over 90% of HK's population uses it.

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  8. we, ordinary HKers, all lives in "dog cages", in varies size. Rich people lives in higher floors with larger "dog cages", unfortunately, looks the same from outside. That's why we all rush to nearby countries for some fresh air in holidays.

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    1. Ovwhpuv, I believe that once you are inside your apartment, it doesn't really make much difference how many more apartments are around, since you see the same walls from within. But transportation must be a pain, since there are so many people living in a reduced area. It must be impossible even to ride a bike, or how is it?

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    2. You can't bike in American suburb either because everything is too far away

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  9. I come from Hong Kong. Certainly, I am living in one of these boxes with very high housing price.~

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  10. Poor people, and all for money. What about the fact that I in Poland earn 70% less but I have 50% more time for myself and I live in

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  11. wat happens in 10 yrs time ? they just gonna stack higher

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  12. I imagine that in HK is mandatory, in case of fire, the use of the stair way to heaven or else they have devoleped a high speed non eletrical stair.

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  13. God forbid if one of these buildings catches fire....

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  14. looks like straight lines to me !!

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