Penang is the rare tropical island where hitting the town beats lazing on the beach. Fortune-seekers from China, Europe and India have been drawn to this Malaysian island for more than two centuries, creating along with local Malays an eclectic mix that can feel both seductively familiar and exotic at the same time. The colonial capital they've left behind, George Town, oozes a hauntingly rustic charm, with colorful street art as much a draw as the heritage architecture. Its historical center is listed, along with Melaka, another enchanting Malaysian city further down the coast, on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Because of historical, political, and geographical reasons, only 23.7% of Hong Kong’s land is developed out of which only 6.8% land is used for housing. No wonder Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated places on the planet, with more than 6,400 people packed into every square kilometre. The city has spawned an array of remarkable solutions to its array of urban issues, ranging from one architect’s convertible apartment to the city’s desire to halt rampant property speculation. Perhaps the most important urban strategy that makes Hong Kong a celebrated exemplar of planning and design is the high-density residential architecture in Hong Kong.
A relatively small territory with a growing population of 7.2 million, Hong Kong SAR's residents depend heavily on public housing projects, known as public housing estates. These residential structures are notorious for accommodating thousands of people, with stacks of apartments shooting into the sky. Previously stigmatized, the estates were deemed poor or lower-class establishments and often looked down upon. With affordable houses now scarce, local attitudes have done a 180° and these structures have become nowadays a symbol of pride: Regardless of their size, location or condition, people are more than happy to belong to these high-rise communities, rather than not having an apartment at all. Walking around the grounds of an estate provides an insight to these emotions, both visually and in their atmosphere.
