Reshaping the urban quality of Hong Kong Using Mass Transit Railway Networks

Before 2007, Hong Kong’s railway networks were operated under two railway operators, namely the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) and the Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation (KCRC). The system was merged into the Mass Transit Railway Corporation (MTRC) with an aim to centralize public resources and to enhance the entire operation of the network, which include altogether 10 railway lines with a total servicing length of about 180 km. Except for the East Rail previously operated by KCRC opened in early 20 th Century linking Kowloon to Mainland China, the early generation of the railway network including the Island Line, Kwun Tong Line and Tsuen Wan Line, are all located inside the built‐up downtown area and constructed underground. These lines were opened for operation from 1979 to 1982. With the introduction of these lines, the metro areas were extended substantially toward the outstretch districts, forming the various population clusters and extending the urban development patterns of Hong Kong.