An opinion piece stresses that thousands of ageing high-rises in Hong Kong will require repair work in the coming years, with responsibility for projects needing to be addressed amid reports of bid-rigging.
Hong Kong is inevitably a high-rise city, with limited land area leading to upward development since the 1950s, causing many buildings to show their age. According to a 2021 study by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, out of around 50,000 buildings, more than 9,100 were over 50 years old. By 2030, the number is forecast to reach closer to 14,000. Of the total, 44,250 are privately owned, with 81 per cent (around 36,000) being residential.
All buildings require maintenance due to wear and tear, plus statutory safety checks imposed by the government and cosmetic exterior work desired by owners. Under the Mandatory Building Inspection Scheme, owners of selected high-rise buildings 30 years or older must appoint a registered inspector to conduct prescribed inspections and supervise repairs in common parts, external walls, and projections. The Mandatory Windows Inspection Scheme applies a similar process for buildings 10 years or older.
As of the end of 2023, 64 per cent of all private buildings had reached the 30-year threshold, with a further 17 per cent to do so within 10 years. The opinion piece argues that Hong Kong must address this long-term issue, particularly responsibility for projects amid reports of bid-rigging.
