Sam K.S. Ho
DPhil in Sustainable Urban Development
Thesis
Spatial Heritage Syntax in Hong Kong: An Anchor for Sustainable Urban Development and Regeneration
Research abstract
Heritage is a crucial element in shaping the cultural identity and urban character of cities. However, traditional urban planning often focuses narrowly on built heritage, such as monuments and historic structures, overlooking the broader spatial and cultural significance of urban streetscapes and townscapes. This research introduces the concept of spatial heritage syntax, a framework that analyses the layers of heritage within urban environments at multiple scales — from individual blocks to districts. Drawing from the Point-Line-Plane model and the Historic Urban Landscape approach, this study aims to assess how heritage networks influence urban development and regeneration processes in both new development areas and decaying districts of Hong Kong. By mapping heritage values and identifying their agglomeration effects, this research seeks to inform sustainable planning policies that balance conservation with the need for urban growth, offering a path toward more resilient and culturally enriched cities.
Supervisor(s)
Dr Patricia Canelas, Dr Francesca Froy
Biography
Sam is pursuing a DPhil in Sustainable Urban Development at the University of Oxford, with a focus on the intersection of heritage conservation and urban regeneration. He began his studies in 2024, building on a strong academic foundation with dual MSc degrees in Urban Planning and Urban Analytics from the University of Hong Kong, as well as a BA in Archaeology and Geography from the University of Queensland. Sam's research examines spatial heritage syntax to understand how heritage networks influence urban development and regeneration, particularly in Hong Kong’s new development areas and decaying districts. He is a Chartered Town Planner (MRTPI) and works at the Planning Department of the HKSAR Government, applying his academic insights to real-world urban planning challenges. His goal is to contribute to sustainable urban policies that integrate heritage into the broader framework of urban growth.
Publications
Zhou, J., Ho, S. K., Lei, S., & Pang, V. C. (2021). Population density, activity centres, and pandemic: Visualizing clusters of COVID-19 cases in Hong Kong. Environment and Planning A: Economy and Space. https://doi.org/10.1177/0308518X211012700
Zhou, J. et al. (inc. Ho, S. K.) (2021). Intermodal Transport Data-Sharing Programme: Final Report. HKU Data Repository. doi:10.25442/hku.17040194.v1.
Papers and lectures
Ho, S. K. & Yang, T. (2022). Historical Development of Global Urban Studies and Planning Research Landscape from 1991 to 2020. ACSP2022 Annual Conference, Toronto, Canada.
Ho, S. K. & Yang, T. (2022). Unveiling Trends in Global Urban Studies and Planning Research from 1991 to 2020. 5th World Planning School Congress and 16th Asian Planning School Association Congress, Bali, Indonesia.
Research interests
Urban studies and planning, urban data science and analytics, public policy, heritage conservation, economic geography
