For a city of over 16,000 people per square mile, less than 7% of Hong Kong's land is designated for residential use. Subdivided apartments - aka "coffin units" - totaling 150 square feet aren't uncommon, reports The Wall Street Journal.
That Hong Kong appears to be completely insulated from the pervasive global housing crisis exacerbates the problem of overinflated real estate value. To the extent that its housing market reflects China's formidable economy, home prices in Hong Kong show no sign of attrition, having skyrocketed nearly 80% since 2008.
Polly Hui writes, "With demand for housing so hot, landlords are scrambling to take advantage. Subdivided apartments aren't illegal in Hong Kong, but they are subject to structural and fire-safety regulations," which are quite lax at best as evident by frequent fire incidents.
"Hong Kong isn't short of land. Our land-use design has failed to catch up with the changes in society," explains University of Hong Kong's professor Chau Kwong-wing in the article.

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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont