Multiple and intensive land use: case studies in Hong Kong

Multiple Intensive Land Use (MILU) achieves intensification of land use through mixing residential, commercial and other uses at higher densities at selected urban locations, while being supported by an efficient public transport and pedestrian network. Successful case studies in Hong Kong have more than five uses, i.e. Residential, Commercial, Recreational, Community facilities and Transport facilities. The residential component in these projects is usually between 30% and 65% of the total gross floor area. The MILU concept is being implemented in subsidized public housing projects as well. Multiple land uses within the podium, together with access to five or more modes of public transport and an accessible network of multilevel pedestrian links create the necessary variety, vitality and viability. The paper examines three different generations of MILU fabric and discusses the integrating design variables, while focusing on the life style and design approaches of Hong Kong.