Advertisement
Opinion | Instagram-famous Choi Hung Estate’s fate demands new approach
- Hong Kong’s approach to development has for too long prioritised demolishing and rebuilding instead of finding ways to preserve the city’s heritage
- Choi Hung Estate has a special place in Hong Kong’s history and cries out for new ideas in urban planning
Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
2
The redevelopment of the iconic Choi Hung Estate is on the Housing Authority’s agenda, according to media reports, which note that the city’s major public housing provider is working on 10 redevelopment projects as part of a push to meet high demand for affordable homes.
Advertisement
However, Choi Hung Estate has a special place in Hong Kong’s history. It is time the government reconsidered its strategy of equating redevelopment with reconstruction.
The estate was built 60 years ago. Distinguished by its colourful outer walls and Bauhaus-style architecture, the estate won a Silver Medal at the 1965 Hong Kong Institute of Architects Annual Awards. In addition to its design, the estate was host to important moments in Hong Kong’s history: it received Richard Nixon – who went on to become US president – in 1964, Britain’s Princess Margaret in 1966 and Princess Alexandra in 1967.
In recent years, its colourful facade won popularity on social media. Photos taken at the estate earned the attention of National Geographic, which made the spot one of the symbols of Hong Kong in many people’s minds.
So far, Hong Kong’s redevelopment of ageing estates has largely taken the approach of reconstruction. This is an easy and efficient solution, but disastrous for the preservation of the city’s uniqueness. Redevelopment should not just be about increasing the number of residential units and improving residents’ quality of life.
Advertisement
Choi Hung Estate’s unique flavour has no equivalent in the rest of China. Tourists from the mainland and around the world are drawn to the spot to get a sense of the lives of ordinary Hongkongers. While there has been some tension over the presence of too many tourists, the estate has become a rare destination where travellers have a chance to understand local people better.
Advertisement