Visual Sociology of Housing Crisis

Visual sociology is an impactful tool in applied research. Have you used it in your work? A new exhibition tackles the social stigma of living in subdivided units, bedspace and ‘coffin home’ apartments.

Aerial view of three people in a small, crowded space, beside plants and clothes. — Professor Ruby Lai with artists Miu Law and Victor Sham

A/ Professor in sociology, Ruby Lai, has turned aspects of her research on Hong Kong’s subdivided flats into an interdisciplinary art exhibition, in collaboration with artists Miu Law and Victor Sham. Prof Lai’s research team conducted fieldwork for two years in Kwai Chung, Tai Kok Tsui and Kwun Tong.

These living conditions are a result of the housing crisis. The units have a median floor area of 118.4 square feet (11 square metres). Over 200,000 Hongkongers who missed out on public housing live in subdivided units.

New laws announced in 2024 will require subdivided flats to be referred to as ‘basic housing units,’ and they must measure at least 8 square metres (86 square feet), with windows and an individual toilet. The rule, however, will not affect bedspace and ‘coffin home’ apartments.

Prof Lai and colleagues’ exhibition shows the resourcefulness of residents. She says:

‘Art and something bigger like community engagement could organically emerge from academic research… This could be one of the impacts of scholarly work.’