There is an idiosyncratic cultural propinquity of Chinese which allow for a *relatively* crimeless co-existence. For example the long-running de-facto political anarchy of the historical Kowloon City in Hong Kong points to a more unified and articulated social conscience which prevented it from collapsing upon itself. It was demolished out of Crown interest of political stability.

The long and arduous process of fostering and buttressing community consciousness would be crucial creating a STRONG sense of civicism, which is loaded with contradictive tensions in the face of individualism, absolute privacy, economic self-interest but political apathy en-masse. Otherwise you get the sort of efficient (which is arguable in itself) and ‘cold’ Bay St development you mention, transferred into residential zones.

The economic and political problem is certainly cultural.