A Probit Analysis of Development Control: A Hong Kong Case Study of Residential Zones

This paper uses a probit model to evaluate a total of 1353 sets of cross-sectional development control (planning application) statistics not previously published for 3 classes of statutory residential zones in Hong Kong over a period of 24 years from 1975. As far as the selected zones are concerned, the findings refute the critical view that the Town Planning Board process in Hong Kong generates significant rent-seeking activities in favour of large developers. They also reject the official assertion that the decisions made by the Town Planning Board are independent of exogenous policy influence of government.