Renovation of the podium roof of residential towers in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s political system, geography and population density make it one of the most crowded urban environments in the world.  Soaring real estate prices fed by profit driven developers and a deluge of investment and speculation from the Chinese mainland has led to shrinking apartment sizes and more expensive real estate.

While most apartments in those buildings with tiny footprints have barely outdoor space, the roof of the podiums seem to be ignored and wasted to a large degree. Many of the roofs became private terrace of the household on that floor or a disorderly public space for clothes drying.

Photo taken by Minjun Huang, 22/9/2016, Queen's Road West.

(Photo taken by Minjun Huang, 22/9/2016, Queen’s Road West.)

Above is the podium roof of the apartment building I am living in. It’s changing from a normal roof to a private terrace.

Photo taken by Minjun Huang, 22/9/2016, Queen's Road West.

(Photo taken by Minjun Huang, 22/9/2016, Queen’s Road West.)

Above is the podium roof of the adjacent building which has been private for long time.

These roof spaces have a great potentiality to be renovated into a part of the urban living, e.g. public roof garden linked with ground, or elevated streets while connected to other roofs of the adjacent podiums. It would not only be benefit for the residence who could get more outdoor space near home, but also create value for developers if the program combines with commerce. More importantly, it would make another surface for the urban living, and stimulate more possible activities for citizens.

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