In for informality in formality – an exploratory case study of Hong Kong’s Cha Kwo Ling squatter village

This study investigates how the structural frictions between top-down formalization and organic survival have shaped Hong Kong’s housing development, using the Cha Kwo Ling squatter settlements as a critical case. Using a qualitative approach, this research triangulates archival records, site observations and qualitative interviews to examine the trajectory of urban squatter areas. While aggressive state formalization successfully elevated objective living standards, it simultaneously introduced tenure insecurity, suppressed mixed-use spatial practices, and fractured community networks. By analyzing these dynamics, we argue that contemporary housing strategies must steer away from suppression-oriented controls towards inclusive frameworks that incorporate informal practices into dynamic planning.