香港的楼，为什么越建越高？

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the implications of Hong Kong's vertical urban development, highlighting the risks associated with high-density living, particularly in light of a recent tragic fire incident that exposed the vulnerabilities of such structures [3][16]. Group 1: Urban Density and High-Rise Buildings - Hong Kong has the highest number of skyscrapers globally, with 569 buildings over 150 meters tall, reflecting its extreme vertical development [7]. - The city's high-rise buildings create a "concrete jungle," leading to a suffocating living environment where distances between buildings can be as narrow as 1 meter [12][11]. - The vertical living arrangement, once seen as a solution to space constraints, has turned into a potential death trap during emergencies like fires [14][15]. Group 2: Historical Context of Vertical Development - The population of Hong Kong surged from 600,000 in 1945 to over 2.2 million by 1950, creating immense pressure for housing [17][19]. - The geographical limitations of Hong Kong, with over 70% of its land being mountainous, necessitated the shift towards vertical construction to accommodate the growing population [21][22]. - Legislative changes in the 1950s and 1960s, such as the revision of building regulations, facilitated the rise of high-density residential buildings [25][36]. Group 3: Economic Implications of Real Estate - The real estate sector has been a significant pillar of Hong Kong's economy, contributing over 20% to government revenue and employing a large portion of the workforce [56][57]. - The 1997 Asian financial crisis severely impacted the housing market, leading to a dramatic drop in property prices and a rise in negative equity among homeowners [48][51]. - The "85,000 units" housing plan aimed to address housing shortages but was ultimately derailed by the financial crisis, highlighting the fragility of the housing market [45][58]. Group 4: Current Housing Challenges - The affordability crisis in Hong Kong is severe, with a housing price-to-income ratio of 20.9, making it the least affordable housing market globally [62]. - Recent government initiatives, such as the "Lai Zheng Plan," aimed to increase housing supply but faced significant public resistance, leading to stalled projects [66]. - The current administration is focusing on increasing public housing units, with a target of 189,000 units over five years, to alleviate housing stress for lower-income families [67].