https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/07352166.2026.2709428<\/a><\/p>\n\nAbstract<\/p>\n\n
This article examines how platform aesthetics shape neighborhood change through the case of wanghong (\u201cinternet-famous\u201d) urbanism in Kennedy Town, Hong Kong. Drawing on visual analysis, social media data, surveys, and interviews, it argues that the transformation of Kennedy Town into a wanghong destination demonstrates how digital platforms and the collective practices of their users interact with and amplify preexisting gentrification processes.<\/p>\n\n
The article conceptualizes wanghongization as a mode of urban change driven by the production and circulation of specific aesthetics, which reconfigure urban experiences and spatial practices in ways not fully captured by existing theories. To theorize this process, the article introduces the gentrification\u2013wanghongization cycle to describe how platform visibility and algorithmic amplification convert the preexisting aesthetics of gentrification into reproducible wanghong aesthetics, which subsequently intensify commercial restructuring and incremental landscape change.<\/p>\n\n
By foregrounding the aesthetic and visual politics, the article contributes to debates on platform urbanism, gentrification, and neighborhood change, offering a conceptual framework for understanding how digital representations and platform logics increasingly mediate and reshape contemporary urban transformation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Author: Shizheng Liang Source: Journal of Urban Affairs Link: https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/07352166.2026.2709428<\/a> Abstract This article examines how platform aesthetics shape neighborhood change through the case of wanghong (\u201cinternet-famous\u201d) urbanism in Kennedy Town, Hong Kong. Drawing on visual analysis, social media data, surveys, and interviews, it argues that the transformation of Kennedy Town into a wanghong destination demonstrates […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":145170531,"featured_media":6534,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_coblocks_attr":"","_coblocks_dimensions":"","_coblocks_responsive_height":"","_coblocks_accordion_ie_support":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_wpcom_ai_launchpad_first_post":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[776957933],"tags":[776958076,776958272,776958297,776958067,776958130,776958387],"class_list":["post-8447","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category--en","tag-newsroom","tag-platform-studies","tag-urban-development","tag-urban-space","tag-urbanism","tag-wanghong"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pai6UY-2cf","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":8440,"url":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/2026\/08\/24\/article-parallel-hong-kong-atmospheric-politics-of-wanghong-tourism-between-city-and-platform\/","url_meta":{"origin":8447,"position":0},"title":"[Article] Parallel Hong Kong: Atmospheric Politics of Wanghong Tourism between City and Platform","author":"\u624b\u6c11\u51fa\u7248\u793e","date":"24\/08\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Author: Shizheng Liang Source: Tourism Geographies: An International Journal of Tourism Space, Place and Environment Link: https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/14616688.2026.2668550 Abstract This article examines how digital platforms reshape urban atmospheres through the rise of wanghong tourism. Focusing on Kennedy Town, Hong Kong, it shows how the neighborhood\u2019s emergence as a wanghong hotspot was\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hong Kong Studies Newsroom"","block_context":{"text":"Hong Kong Studies Newsroom","link":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/category\/%e9%a6%99%e6%b8%af%e5%ad%b8%e8%a1%93%e6%83%85%e5%a0%b1%e5%ae%a4-en\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7907,"url":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/2026\/04\/08\/article-rethinking-commercial-space-as-livelihood-space-for-self-contained-new-town-development-a-reflexive-analysis-of-tin-shui-wai-hong-kong\/","url_meta":{"origin":8447,"position":1},"title":"[Article] Rethinking Commercial Space as Livelihood Space for Self-Contained New Town Development: A Reflexive Analysis of Tin Shui Wai, Hong Kong","author":"\u624b\u6c11\u51fa\u7248\u793e","date":"08\/04\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Author: Lu Shan & Mingze Bai Source: Planning Theory & Practice Link: https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/14649357.2025.2493113#abstract Abstract This study explores the relationship between commercial spaces and self-containment in new town development. Drawing on Polanyi\u2019s livelihood concept, it introduces a novel framework to examine the livelihood function of commercial spaces in job creation and\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hong Kong Studies Newsroom"","block_context":{"text":"Hong Kong Studies Newsroom","link":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/category\/%e9%a6%99%e6%b8%af%e5%ad%b8%e8%a1%93%e6%83%85%e5%a0%b1%e5%ae%a4-en\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":8295,"url":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/2026\/06\/30\/article-basketball-courts-in-hong-kong-a-historic-and-socio-political-perspective-on-social-infrastructure-in-a-high-density-city\/","url_meta":{"origin":8447,"position":2},"title":"[Article] Basketball Courts in Hong Kong: A Historic and Socio-political Perspective on Social Infrastructure in a High-density City","author":"\u624b\u6c11\u51fa\u7248\u793e","date":"30\/06\/2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Author: Jeroen van Ameijde Source: Urbanie & Urbanus Link: https:\/\/www.uandujournal.com\/abstract.php?id=114 Abstract Basketball courts play a unique role in Hong Kong\u2019s high-density urban fabric, offering opportunities for sports and socialising in every neighbourhood within the territory. This study examines their historical roots and development in colonial Hong Kong, increasing socio-political significance,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hong Kong Studies Newsroom"","block_context":{"text":"Hong Kong Studies Newsroom","link":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/category\/%e9%a6%99%e6%b8%af%e5%ad%b8%e8%a1%93%e6%83%85%e5%a0%b1%e5%ae%a4-en\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7488,"url":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/2025\/12\/29\/publication-cultural-architecture-and-late-colonial-space-constructing-cultural-centres-in-hong-kong\/","url_meta":{"origin":8447,"position":3},"title":"[Publication] Cultural Architecture and Late-Colonial Space: Constructing Cultural Centres in Hong Kong","author":"\u624b\u6c11\u51fa\u7248\u793e","date":"29\/12\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Author: Melody Hoi-lam Yiu Publisher: Routledge Link: https:\/\/www.routledge.com\/Cultural-Architecture-and-Late-Colonial-Space-Constructing-Cultural-Centres-in-Hong-Kong\/Yiu\/p\/book\/9781032710013?source=shoppingads&locale=en-GBP&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22847665198&gbraid=0AAAAACwvVory8xpwrLZZgm1RB1oR-mBxN Abstract This book offers the first in-depth study of three major Hong Kong public cultural architecture works, Tsuen Wan Town Hall, Shatin Town Hall and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre (HKCC), built in the late-colonial years. Recent developments at the West Kowloon\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hong Kong Studies Newsroom"","block_context":{"text":"Hong Kong Studies Newsroom","link":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/category\/%e9%a6%99%e6%b8%af%e5%ad%b8%e8%a1%93%e6%83%85%e5%a0%b1%e5%ae%a4-en\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/publication.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/publication.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/publication.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/publication.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/publication.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7313,"url":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/2025\/10\/29\/article-city-of-the-anthropocene-surreal-hong-kong-in-hon-lai-chu-and-dorothy-tses-a-dictionary-of-twin-cities\/","url_meta":{"origin":8447,"position":4},"title":"[Article] City of the Anthropocene Surreal: Hong Kong in Hon Lai-chu and Dorothy Tse’s A Dictionary of Twin Cities","author":"\u624b\u6c11\u51fa\u7248\u793e","date":"29\/10\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Author: Xiaofan Amy Li Source: Journal of Asian Studies Link: https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1215\/00219118-11904371 Abstract This article examines Hong Kongese writers Hon Lai-chu and Dorothy Tse's cowritten A Dictionary of Twin Cities (\u96d9\u57ce\u8fad\u5178) (2012) in relation to the question of urbanity in the Anthropocene era. While much attention is paid to anglophone literature\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hong Kong Studies Newsroom"","block_context":{"text":"Hong Kong Studies Newsroom","link":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/category\/%e9%a6%99%e6%b8%af%e5%ad%b8%e8%a1%93%e6%83%85%e5%a0%b1%e5%ae%a4-en\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7476,"url":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/2025\/12\/23\/article-towards-a-cyberpunk-translation-for-global-cities-a-study-of-kowloon-city-in-hong-kong\/","url_meta":{"origin":8447,"position":5},"title":"[Article] Towards a “Cyberpunk Translation” for Global Cities: A Study of Kowloon City in Hong Kong","author":"\u624b\u6c11\u51fa\u7248\u793e","date":"23\/12\/2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Author: Song Ge Source: Perspectives: Studies in Translation Theory and Practice Link: https:\/\/www.tandfonline.com\/doi\/full\/10.1080\/0907676X.2025.2509029 Abstract This research explores the relationship between cyberpunk aesthetics and translation in the context of Kowloon City, Hong Kong. Kowloon City, with its grid-like street layout, historical tenant buildings, vibrant shop signs, and (once) low-flying airplanes, becomes\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Hong Kong Studies Newsroom"","block_context":{"text":"Hong Kong Studies Newsroom","link":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/category\/%e9%a6%99%e6%b8%af%e5%ad%b8%e8%a1%93%e6%83%85%e5%a0%b1%e5%ae%a4-en\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/typesetter.hk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/article.png?fit=1280%2C720&ssl=1","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8447","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/145170531"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8447"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8447\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8450,"href":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8447\/revisions\/8450"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6534"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8447"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8447"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/typesetter.hk\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8447"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}