Cities are living organisms that are constantly shaped by social and cultural influences throughout history. From a fishing village to an international financial centre, Hong Kong has undergone significant socio-economic and cultural changes in the last 180 years. As people and culture shape neighbourhoods and cities, street names reflect those characteristics.

In 2017, after a data science class, I found myself pondering this very idea while walking past Possession Street. Its Chinese name bore no resemblance to its English counterpart, sparking a curiosity about the linguistic connections between street names in Hong Kong. This curiosity led to the start of this project. Fun fact: 4.2% is the land covered by streets in Hong Kong, and let’s not forget, ‘42’ is the ultimate answer to life, the universe, and everything! 🚀