Town Planning Research Articles

The use of creative case studies to explore non-verbal and non-ambulant children and young people’s well-being

Background and purposeThe aim of this paper is to describe and critically analyse creative research methods, exploring how these can offer ways to enable non-verbal and non-ambulant children and young people with cerebral palsy, to express their views about their well-being. The context of this research explored their choices for recreational activities, seeking to understand how their level of participation impacted upon their well-being. MethodsA qualitative comparative case study design was chosen comprising of two interviews, using photographs and diaries to elicit discussion, supported by observations. These observations provided evidence of well-being indicators that were interpreted by the researcher, alongside their parents. Seven participants volunteered, aged nine to sixteen years. Data were analysed utilising Braun and Clark’s six stages. Firstly, each case’s data sources were coded, themes identified, then across cases comparisons, arriving at three final themes. Triangulation of data sources which made up each case, enhanced the trustworthiness in this study. ResultsObservations were key to providing insight into their well-being. Interpretation of this rich data, supported by their parents, revealed that the participants could self-advocate, as shown by their intentional behaviours, to choose their level of participation. DiscussionThe researcher’s ability to be creative in the data collection methods is original in physiotherapy. It was important to work in partnership with parents, to ensure the correct interpretation of their intentional behaviours from the observations. The diaries and photographs added a unique contribution to knowledge, which enabled the non-verbal participants inclusion, empowering them to express their well-being. Study registrationThis study is registered with the International Study + Clinical Trials Network Register (ISRCTN) Number:42717948. Contribution of paper•This creative approach to a qualitative case study design has offered a new way to explore the well-being of participants who would not be able to carry out a typical interview. In this case it was with non-verbal and non-ambulant children and young people with complex cerebral palsy. The data has illustrated how they can be empowered to indicate their well-being, as their own advocates. It is important this work continues to provide deeper insight into this under-reported group. Physiotherapists should consider how they can include other non-verbal populations in research.•Physiotherapists who work with non-verbal children and young people with complex disabilities, need to find a way to hear their voices. A creative qualitative case study design offers this flexibility and should be considered as an authentic method for data collection in future studies. Children and young people with complex disabilities deserve to see themselves represented in research.•Physiotherapists are unlikely to work alone to achieve advocacy on behalf of non-verbal populations. Teamwork with designers, illustrators and town planners can contribute to move this agenda forwards. This can then increase the choices and opportunities for disabled children to enhance their well-being.

Current Status and Issues of Reconstruction Town Planning in Unosumai Area, City of Kamaishi

Current Status and Issues of Reconstruction Town Planning in Unosumai Area, City of Kamaishi

Formation and development of sources of legal regulation of urban planning activities in Austria and Austria-Hungary (second half of the 18th – beginning of the 20th century)

The article analyzes the formation and development of sources of legal regulation of urban development in Austria and Austria-Hungary (second half of the 18th - beginning of the 20th century). It is noted that only 12 years after the annexation of Galicia, the Austrian government began to carefully classify settlements. The need for such a classification was determined by the need to add an index to a detailed map of the country. The division of settlements into cities/towns/villages was to be carried out by the circular offices themselves as a result of the order of the court decree dated October 28, 1784. In the new governor’s order on this matter dated December 13, 1784, it was noted at the very beginning that the circular offices, despite clear instructions governorates, qualified settlements as cities, towns and villages only on the basis of their location, size, number of inhabitants, buildings, and therefore not on the basis of proper attributes. The province also ordered that a city (Stadt) should be considered a settlement that has the privilege of being a city. When settlements did not have this privilege, they were to be considered villages (Dörfer). The classification of settlements was to be based solely on their privileges and no other considerations could be taken into account; therefore, only the historical criterion was applied, and as a result, all the privileges from Polish times were accepted in those clauses of their provisions that recognized the settlement as a city or town.
 It has been established that the legal regulation of town planning activities in Austria in the XVIII–XIX centuries. was based mainly on legislative acts of various nature. The general rules of construction were determined by the Civil Code of 1811, the Law on City Rights, the Laws on Construction of 1829 and 1868, separate construction statutes for Galician cities/towns, adopted in the second half of the 19th century. Materials from the Josephine and Franciscan metrics, descriptions of localities and indicating the status of settlements, building regulations established for individual cities/towns of Galicia as part of the Habsburg monarchy play an important role in the study of the subject. The sources of legal regulation of town planning activities in Austria and Austria-Hungary (second half of the 18th - beginning of the 20th century) were the laws and regulations adopted at the level of central and local governments (magistrates, provincial boards). The list of such sources is wide - from the Civil Code to local specialized construction laws. The authorities also adopted provisions on the protection of cultural heritage and architectural monuments. The innovations introduced by the Austrian government were aimed at streamlining construction activities.

Online foreign language teaching: challenges and solutions

This paper is devoted to the vital problem of foreign language teaching in the context of organizing online distance learning. The unfavorable epidemiological situation, modern political and economic transformations in the world have also had an impact on the sphere of education: online learning has received a powerful impetus for rapid development. Currently the digitalization of language education is one of the global trends, which is reflected in the requirements of the modernized Federal State Educational Standards of vocational and higher education. The development of digital didactics as a new essential branch of pedagogy touches upon the foreign language teaching process. At the same time, the implementation of innovations causes many difficulties and challenges for specialists who are used to traditional teaching methods and are trying to avoid reducing the quality of education. In this regard, the topic of this study is of particular relevance. The paper studies the benefits and drawbacks of foreign language teaching in educational institutions of various types, implemented with the help of distance technologies and modern teaching software. Both the teacher questionnaire and the survey made it possible to identify and describe in detail the advantages and disadvantages of conducting online classes in a foreign language in the Yaroslavl Town Planning College (Yaroslavl) and the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics (Moscow). The issue of increasing the effectiveness of the implementation of distant foreign language teaching was also considered by solving a number of methodological problems, such as the use of specific Internet discourse and clichs as part of communication in a foreign language at different class stages. The solution to this problem will let eliminate a number of psychological difficulties that all subjects of educational process face during online communication, and make communication more emotional.

Karsten’s Work as a City Branding Strengthener for The Semarang City, Indonesia

Currently the City of Semarang, Indonesia, is trying to have a BRAND which is expected to be able to show the potential of Semarang city. Semarang city is one of the cities in Indonesia which in planning the development of the form of town planning, was planned by a city planner who is also an architect named Ir. Herman Thomas Karsten. Karsten has a lot of architectural works in Semarang city, ranging from buildings that function as houses, offices, to other public buildings such as schools, markets, theater, office building, housings, and hospitals. Karsten's architectural works are known to be comfortable to view or use for their activities. This is shown by the many works of Karsten which are still being used well by building users. This study aims to reveal the potential of the city of Semarang related to the urban cultural heritage of Karsten's work. This research will provide benefits for the stakeholders of the Semarang City in determining the city branding of Semarang city. In addition, this research is also beneficial for the development of architectural scholarship, and will provide new insights to the academic community about the importance of cultural heritage in a city. This research will provide clarity, that the Urban Cultural Heritage will affect the city identity and city character. As for the community, this research will contribute to helping the creation of a new built environment for cultural heritage artifacts through the city's brand image.

Putting the Illegal into heritage practice

ABSTRACT This article considers the concept of Illegal that is used to challenge the disciplinary constraints of authorised heritage practice. The Illegal provides a conceptual device to consider the ontological reality of the heritage world and the necessary illusion of the heritage profession. Alongside, the critical challenges to the Authorised Heritage Discourse presented by Indigenous Worlds, guerrilla restoration, People Centred Approaches, Experimental Preservation, and creative heritage practice, the tactical activism of Illegal practice is offered as an insurgent tool for transforming heritage worlds. Two recent Illegal projects, the ‘Illegal Town Plan’ and the Illegal Museum of Beyond’s ‘Objects of the Misanthropocene’ exhibition project, present speculative insouciance as a method for putting the Illegal into heritage practice.

Mapping landslide events at Cameron Highlands, Malaysia in relation to land use, rainfall and elevation using Geographical Information System

The Cameron Highlands as the name implies is subjected to high landslide vulnerability due to its geographical location in a hilly area. The principal factors contributing to the landslide events in Cameron Highlands have been identified as heavy rainfall and substantial land use changes, which include infrastructural development and agricultural practices. Thus, there is a need to map the landslide events that occurred in Cameron Highlands using Geographical Information Systems concerning rainfall, land use and elevation. The relevant data were collected from the Department of Irrigation and Drainage Malaysia, the Department of Town and Country Planning Malaysia, and the Public Works Department Malaysia. Based on the findings, with the average annual rainfall exceeding 2,687mm, massive agricultural activities on hilly terrain and infrastructure development along the main road, confirmed the occurrence of landslide events in Cameron Highlands. In addition, most of the landslide events occur at an elevation of more than 1,800m above sea level. By knowing the respective locations of previous landslide events, local authorities will be able to take earlier precautions in mitigating and planning future development related to agricultural activities and infrastructure besides providing early warning and useful information to the public at large.

The Impact of Urban Planning on Places of Worship in Windhoek Namibia

Urban planning impacts freedom of religion through planning regulations applied by local municipalities in establishing places of worship in urban areas. However, incorporating religion in urban planning in most countries has remained insignificant, regardless of the new challenges of increasing religious diversity in most cities. This paper examines the role of urban planning policies in Namibia in establishing places of worship in Windhoek and its impact on freedom of religion in the City. Data was collected by reviewing and exploring journal papers, government documents, books, and newspaper articles. Neoliberal theory was employed to guide the study. The research established that the City of Windhoek, through planning policies, has a direct impact on places of worship, and to facilitate a sustainable process, the City put a moratorium on establishing new houses of worship to reduce the number of people intending to create such facilities. Applications for even places of worship by religious bodies, including churches, are treated the same as other applications for related institutions, even though the churches and other religious facilities have different ways of worshipping. In Namibia, the government and municipal urban planning departments benefit all religious organizations equitably. The study's findings contribute to the scientific discussions on places of worship and town planning policies in developing countries. The findings will benefit all stakeholders involved in developing places of worship, such as policymakers, academics, and researchers. The study is limited to Windhoek, and further studies should incorporate both urban and rural areas.

Urban studies and practices in the context of Social Transformation of Urban Planning in Russia (2008-2021 years)

The field of urban planning in Russia (hereinafter — UP) is of particular interest for sociological analysis. By M.S. Larson, results of the activity of architects and town planners are not only material features, but also cultural, behavioral patterns which are inscribed in urban planning projects. In the last decade, professionals, city managers, and developers have faced new challenges related to the quality of the urban environment. The request for new approaches in the field of renovation of urban spaces was formulated both by professionals, representatives of civil, expert communities and grassroots groups, and by government authorities (within the framework of the federal project “Formation of a Comfortable Urban Environment”).The focus of this article is the analysis of “urbanistika” (=urban studies and practices) in Russia in 2008-2021, based on materials from expert interviews with professionals with experience in the field of urban planning. Key aspects of the transformation of UP that were identified during the analysis include: 1) marketization of UP, 2) the formation of an individualistic discourse, 3) the formation of a therapeutic discourse, 4) a communicative turn in UP, which is shown by the example of the emergence of new methods (participatory design and others methods aimed at taking into account the opinions of residents during the urban planning process), as well as the emergence of new actors (bloggers and urbanists) in urban discussions and projects.

THE EFFECTS OF LOW CARBON CITIES FRAMEWORK CHECKLIST (LCCFC) IMPLEMENTATION ON COMMUNITY SATISFACTION LEVEL

Local authorities (LA) have been serving as leaders in their communities to implement the Low Carbon Cities Framework (LCCF). LCCFC, although carefully developed, has not been effectively utilised. This paper aimed to study the effect of LCCFC implementation on community satisfaction levels. The objectives of this paper were: (i) to determine the implementation of LCCFC in relation to community satisfaction, (ii) to analyse the levels of community satisfaction across economic, social, and environmental aspects, and (iii) to suggest strategies and frameworks for enhancing community satisfaction. A mixed method approach was employed, which encompassed both an interview and a questionnaire survey. The questionnaire survey reached a sample size of 400 participants, drawn from six distinct neighbourhood areas within the jurisdiction of the Subang Jaya Municipal Council. Meanwhile, the interview was conducted with town planners within a Local Authority (LA) as key stakeholders, alongside the community. The qualitative data was analysed using Atlas Ti, while the quantitative data was via SPSS. The findings of the present study reveal that the utilisation of the LCCF checklist by the local authority concerned is currently inadequate, thereby necessitating the identification of strategies for improvement and the formulation of action plans to enhance community contentment. It is recommended that the findings of the current study be utilised as a point of reference by other local authorities, thereby constituting a significant advancement in the pursuit of accelerating sustainable development.

Ecosystem Service Value Evaluation and Spatial Function Change under Town and Village Layout Planning: A Case of Jintan District

This study proposes a systematic classification of production–living–ecological function indicators based on ecosystem services, thereby clarifying the spatial functions of villages. Based on the land use change survey data of the Jintan District in 2012 and 2018, the ecological impact of town and village layout planning in Jintan District was analysed by using a quantitative measurement model of ecosystem services. The findings revealed that the ecosystem service value (ESV) decreased by 792 million CNY in the Jintan District, with the largest decrease in water ecosystem services valued at 700 million CNY and in hydrological regulation valued at 576 million CNY. A clear regional difference in ESV was observed, with villages on the east and west coasts of Changdang Lake being higher-value areas and most villages or communities in urban areas being lower-value areas. The areas of cultivated land, construction land, and unused land have increased, while land types with higher ecosystem service value coefficients, such as wetland, water area, and grassland, have declined. The spatial pattern of production and living functions was quite similar, while there was a significant spatial aggregation characteristic of ecological functions.

Town Planning, Housing, and the Politics of Sanitation and Public Health in the Gold Coast (Colonial Ghana), c. 1880 - 1950.

Colonial officials remarked disparagingly about the nature of houses and what they presented as congested layouts in Gold Coast communities. Subsequently, drawing on nineteenth-century epidemiological theory that connected diseases and poor health to defective housing and congested settlements, the colonial administration introduced measures to redesign and reorder Gold Coast communities. This article examines the connection between colonial town planning and housing measures and the politics of sanitation and public health in the Gold Coast. It argues that the colonial state's imposition of imported British town planning measures, building techniques, and housing styles in the Gold Coast and their aspiration to compel Gold Coast people to build and pattern their communities along so-called sanitary lines could not be fully realised. Thus, the extent to which colonial town planning and the accompanying transformations in African building styles improved sanitation and consequently, public health, is difficult to determine. Nonetheless, this study reveals that the local population's holistic approaches to spatial designing and planning of their communities and their building styles were somewhat altered by the colonial imposition of eurocentric town planning policies and building styles.

Reinventing the Urban Neighborhood Green Index in the Context of Urban Ecology as a Conceptual Framework in Northern Nicosia, Cyprus

Today, one in two people live in urban environments, and this number is expected to rise. Urban ecology is among the main concepts of the ecological urban planning agenda for cities where the consequences of global warming and climate change are increasing day by day. Urban open green spaces provide a variety of ecosystem services for city dwellers. It is important that green spaces are accessible, efficient, walkable and properly planned in the city. Within this framework, via the relevant theoretical evaluation, a conceptual framework was constructed to redefine the urban neighborhood green index. Regarding the existing definitions within the related literature, this developed index includes quantitative, qualitative and perceptual parameters and has been newly introduced to measure and analyze green spaces in a more comprehensive layout. There is also a need to establish an ecological approach to urban planning to increase the quantity and quality of urban green spaces in Cyprus, including in Northern Nicosia. Therefore, Northern Nicosia, with its three selected neighborhoods, was chosen as the study area. As the main methodology of the study, a thorough assessment of the quantitative component of the developed index with its four parameters of per-capita green space, proximity to green space, area percentages and type of green spaces is made. Maps from the Town Planning Department and satellite images from the Nicosia Turkish Municipality and GIS were used for this quantitative measurement. Based on the findings, it can be argued that the urban green spaces are not sufficient when assessed based on most of the parameters evaluated within the study to construct a comprehensive green space index. It was found that the green spaces in the city are accessible, being within 337 m, which is reasonable. However, there are very few active and accessible open green areas in these neighborhoods within the 300 and 500 m buffers, as a remarkable number of the green spaces, which are shown on the map, are in an abandoned condition. In addition, the amount of active green space per capita is 3.35 m2, which is well below the 9 m2 predicted by WHO. The area percentages of the neighborhoods are also below the required standards. Therefore, the findings show that Northern Nicosia can benefit by addressing these deficiencies to achieve a higher urban neighborhood green index. Furthermore, the theoretical model is efficient for the assessment of urban spaces at the neighborhood scale and can be used in other cities worldwide, especially in cities with a relatively low density. In sum, this study, which considered not only the quantitative parameters but also the qualitative and perceptual features, has the potential to expand scientific knowledge on measuring and analyzing urban neighborhood green spaces.

Compliance with Open Space Standards in Residential Areas of Oyo, Nigeria

Against the widespread non-adherence with statutory requirements for open space provision in virtually every segment of cities, especially in residential areas, this study examined compliance with open space standards in three distinct residential zones (core, transition and sub-urban) of Oyo, a traditional city in Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted with two stakeholders: self-built house owners (SHOs) and town planning officials (TPOs). Systematic and convenience sampling techniques were used to select participants from the groups, respectively. Direct measurements of open spaces within lots were carried out to determine if they met the required standards. Information obtained from the SHOs included their socio-economic characteristics, level of awareness, perceived importance, compliance with standards and factors influencing compliance. The TPOs also provided information on standards (plot coverage and setback requirements), mechanisms and tactics for regulating open space provision. The study showed low awareness of the open space requirements among homeowners in the three residential zones. The compliance level in the core area was the lowest because the area was largely built prior to the introduction of planning regulations and coupled with the residents’ low status. On the contrary, despite the low awareness, the sub-urban area had the highest level of compliance because the homeowners in this area have a higher socio-economic status and personal preferences for ample open space in their compounds. These outcomes support the underlying concepts and propositions advocated by historic and structural theories of urban form. The study, therefore, recommends modifying the existing open space standards to align with the city’s historical development and local conditions in various residential areas to encourage compliance.

Skopje City Wall Housing Complex

The 1963 earthquake in Skopje, North Macedonia, prompted an international response culminating in the Town Planning Project financed by the UN Special Fund, which resulted in a new master plan for the city. An international competition for the reconstruction of the Skopje city center was launched as part of the project. The Kenzo Tange entry, which won three-fifths of the first prize, became a representation of the new Skopje. It relied on an autofabulation approach, using elements like ‘city gate’ and ‘city wall’ as important parts of the concept. One of the major features was the City Wall housing development which encircled the central business district (CBD). This paper examines the initial proposal and the phases it passed through to become a new development plan for the center. In this process, Tange played a significant role, defining major planning aspects of the complex, which was later completed according to projects by local architects. The City Wall supported housing as permanent activity in the center and introduced a housing complex of towers and blocks, which became a prominent feature of the Skopje skyline. Although it had to be adapted to the existing conditions and some of the original ideas had to be abandoned, the City Wall complex stood the test of time. Unfortunately, especially since the late 1980s and throughout the 1990s, a number of interventions and alterations have compromised its appearance and some of the basic ideas. The paper argues that the City Wall complex should be proclaimed a cultural heritage, and immediate action should be taken to prevent irreparable damage and to preserve the City Wall as an important and recognizable image of Skopje’s townscape.

ACCESSIBILITY AND CONNECTIVITY ANALYSIS IN THE GROWING RURAL AREA: A CASE STUDY OF REMBAU DISTRICT, NEGERI SEMBILAN

Rural areas are the ideal place to handle urban sprawl, whether for future administrative, college, manufacturing, residential, commercial, or for business growth. In the land development context, the shifting from rural into several areas such as agricultural into houses or subdividing real estate into commercial lots etc. were seen to be worth trying. However, this will succeed with the help of better road connectivity to the demanded area. This research is aimed to explore the road accessibility and connectivity and its function in supporting the growth of land development in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. The research methodology produces maps of new potential growth development areas using GIS techniques. For data acquisition, there was a two-approach which is using the primary and secondary data. The primary data consist of the observation on the site, interview method with the experts and local people. Meanwhile, the secondary data is using the Landsat data from USGS to produce a land-use map for four consecutive years, base map and route connectivity data for GIS method, and statistical data from related agencies. The result of this research is to produce a new potential development map in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan. Remote sensing (RS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) allows the town planners to identify the potential rural spaces to cater the urban population.

An approach of geological mapping and geotechnical investigation: Case study from the Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Nepal

Urbanization is rapidly growing throughout the world, especially in the least developed and developing countries necessitating proper land use planning. However, the lack of sufficient study has created the possibility of unprecedented geohazards. In this study, a detailed geological and engineering geological mapping along with the geotechnical analysis of soils and sediments from the Bhainsepati–Pharsidol area of Lalitpur District has been carried out. Detailed geological maps and geological cross-sections were prepared on the scale of 1:25,000 following the most adopted stratigraphy of central Nepal for both hard rocks and Quaternary deposits. Two mappable geological units like the Tistung Formation and the Chandragiri Limestone of the Phulchauki Group are found within the hard rock succession at the study area’s hill sections. Similarly, the Quaternary succession is mapped into the Lukundol Formation and the Chapagaon Terrace deposits of Kathmandu Valley sediments from older to younger succession respectively. There is a distinct erosional unconformity between the rocks of the Phulchauki Group and the Quaternary Valley sediments. A kinematic analysis of discontinuities developed in the rocks was carried out in the rock slopes found in the area. Both field and laboratory analyses of soil samples were carried out for the representative samples. The laboratory tests include moisture content, specific gravity, particle size distribution, soil consistency, compaction, and consolidation properties. Finally, an engineering geological map was prepared on the same scale as geological mapping showing the details of the distribution of geo-materials. This study is expected to be valuable to make proper land-use decisions for town planning and developmental activities in the rapidly growing city of Nepal.

The “soft edge”: Heritage, special character, and new planning directives in Aotearoa cities

Divergent visions for urban form are currently contesting the future of cities in Aotearoa. Severe pressures of population growth, inadequate housing supply, and unsustainable transport systems are raising a spectrum of voices on the appropriate planning response. The heritage field is enfolded in these debates, as intensification pressures have amplified questions about the value of historic urban fabric and the planning mechanisms that sustain it. To what extent should cities’ existing areas be retained or developed, and who gets to decide?
 Focusing on the “soft edge” of heritage—early suburbs valorised as “special character”—the paper traces the history of heritage-making in urban Aotearoa and its role in maintaining the ontological security of the settler state. It first explores the processes of identifying and managing historic urban forms that have gradually evolved through Aotearoa’s planning legislation, from the early town planning acts to the Resource Management Act 1991. It then analyses the tension between contemporary urban planning directions and historic places conservation, exploring the concept of “amenity,” which is implicated in both. It concludes with some avenues for deeper collaboration between planning policy and heritage-making for more spatially and culturally equitable cities.

Mapping the Anthropocene: Atelier NL, a Case Study of Place-Based Material Craft Practices

This paper argues that mapping as a methodology can support localised production, as exemplified in the case study of the design studio Atelier NL which marries contemporary design sensibilities with traditional glass and ceramics craft-making techniques. The paper puts forward the argument that by paying attention to local ecosystem services through mapping, place-based design solutions can be developed. Furthermore, the paper argues that the methodologies deployed by Atelier NL borrow from contemporary art creative mapping practices. This case study uses the framework of the Anthropocene to situate these mapping practices identified within the case study and contextualises these within 20th-century environmental arts practices, and those of the environmental art pioneers the Harrisons in particular. Finally, the paper argues that these mapping practices are responding to the conditions of the Anthropocene which increasingly makes clear that culture and nature are enmeshed, an insight that 19th-century town planner Patrick Geddes argued for more than a century ago.

Building colonial Hong Kong: Speculative development and segregation in the city – A book review

Cecilia Chu, an urban historian, was surprised at her studies that unmasking the 19th-century colonial land tenure system resulted in “good government” in Hong Kong. She found the colonial governance evolved to respect traditional Confucian values of impartiality, integrity, and a commitment to the public interest. The need for Hong Kong government to be self-sufficient by Britain was the original driver for this to happen; that is, the requirement to sell public land to raise revenue from the European and Chinese Speculators essential for the development of Hong Kong. Chu’s research revealed that both events and politics over time required the government to move beyond laissez-faire economics and to become interventionist to tackle diseased slum areas and unsafe buildings and to shape new urban development to deliver healthier housing and better environments. Overseas experience of epidemics had led to a growing understanding of the relationship between health and economy in the 19th century. Populations fleeing Hong Kong during epidemics served to demonstrate that the city needed to be healthy if it was to prosper. This caused the government to adopt interventionist policies. In particular, the government intervened in its land sales strategy to reduce fiscal revenue income from sales to induce the private sector to contribute towards social provision in public health, housing and modern town planning. It also had a bearing on colonial segregation strategies to reflect different expectations of the European and native Chinese communities. Crucially, while the colonial administration remained in power, greater involvement of the Chinese elites in the bureaucracy gave legitimacy portraying Hong Kong as a “land of justice.” This demonstration of “good government” helped maintain the loyalty of the Chinese merchant elites and native Chinese population.