Ancient village in central HK to be demolished
Print Edition
A 650-YEAR-OLD walled village in Hong Kong — the last of its kind — will be destroyed to make way for development.
There were once dozens of villages like Nga Tsin Wai, an ancient settlement in the heart of bustling Kowloon, in the city. They were built by Chinese clans centuries ago, and featured moats and watchtowers to guard against intruders.
While many remain intact on the city’s rural outskirts, Nga Tsin Wai is the only one left in the heart of Hong Kong.
The village was built in 1354 and the original walls and battlements have disappeared, leaving a collection of about 50 ramshackle houses, shops and a temple, hemmed in by concrete tower blocks that have grown up around it.
Authorities argue the village is in poor condition and should make way for better quality homes in an overcrowded city — 750 new flats will be built on the site.
The destruction of historic buildings, old communities and street markets has drawn criticism in recent years.
The last decade has seen the demolition of the landmark Queen’s Pier, built during the British colonial era, swept away for a bypass and harborfront development.
An entire street in the Wan Chai neighbourhood — known as “wedding card street” for the abundance of shops selling traditional Chinese wedding invites — was demolished to make way for residential development and luxury stores.
The government is under pressure to find space for 400,000 new housing units in the next 10 years to remedy the shortage of affordable homes.
But while there is a pressing need for more accommodation, district councillor Paul Zimmerman, an advocate of sustainable urban planning, said the people of Hong Kong are beginning to question the sacrifices made.
“How do you balance the (economic) gains and the impact on individuals? How do you maintain these areas without destroying the local culture?” he said.
“We have to take a more careful approach.”
The Urban Renewal Authority, which is overseeing the redevelopment of Nga Tsin Wai, described it as “decrepit” and said only a small number of villagers will be affected.
“The living conditions are poor due to the lack of proper maintenance and sanitation facilities,” a spokeswoman said.
Residents do not have a legal right to live there because the land is owned by the government, she said, adding that some elements will be preserved, including the temple.
People have gradually moved away from the village over the past 20 years and empty houses have been knocked down, but a small community of about 20 people remained, including a Chinese medicine pharmacy, barber shops and handcraft sellers.
“We are losing a tradition ... It will only become a money-making project,” said a knife-maker, surnamed Fan, who recently moved out.
Another resident in her 40s, surnamed Han, who works as an office clerk, said her family memories would disappear with the demolition.
Her father ran a shop in the village in the 1980s, and the family of 10 lived above it.
“A lot will be missed,” she said. “The house may be small, but I grew up here.”
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