Face Off: Should the iconic Choi Hung Estate be redeveloped?
- Each week, two readers debate a hot topic in a showdown that does not necessarily reflect their personal viewpoints
- This week, students debate whether the iconic Choi Hung Estate should be redeveloped to keep up with modern times or conserve its heritage
It is rumoured that the Housing Authority will select 60-year-old Choi Hung Estate, with more than 7,400 households, to be demolished and rebuilt. Photo: May TseIf you are interested in joining future Face Off debates, fill out this form to submit your application.
For: Redevelopment is required to modernise the infrastructure
Wong Hoi-yu, 13, St Paul’s Co-educational College
While Choi Hung Estate may be considered one of the “most picturesque” locations in Hong Kong, urban renewal is imperative because of the antiquated infrastructure of the property.
Constructed over six decades ago, the estate is deteriorating, posing maintenance complexities and diminishing liveability. Redevelopment presents an opportunity to modernise the estate’s infrastructure, including electrical systems and structural components, ensuring heightened safety for residents. The outdated infrastructure could also be hampering implementation of modern technologies and energy-efficient solutions, and redevelopment would provide the opportunity for environmental stewardship and to reduce long-term operational costs.
Redevelopment could also facilitate superior spatial optimisation. The estate may have outdated configurations or inefficient space utilisation which can be corrected through redevelopment.
Transforming the estate could enhance community facilities to promote social interaction and nurture a sense of belonging. It also offers an opportunity to implement innovative services that cater to the evolving needs of residents, further enhancing the quality of life within the estate.
Some argue that collective memory is important, so redevelopment should not be pursued. But redevelopment does not equate to erasing local memories. With a revitalised appearance and structure, new memories can be created over time.
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One counterargument may be that redevelopment is costly and unnecessary, making it an unwise use of public funds. However, as mentioned, redeveloping the estate ensures residents’ safety and provides more resources for public housing. Redevelopment of the estate is not only necessary but also holds immense potential in revitalising the community, improving infrastructure, and creating a sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant living environment for residents.
Against: Redevelopment should be avoided as the estate has has historical significance
Taylor Ho, 13, Hong Kong International School
The Choi Hung Estate, one of Hong Kong’s oldest and most renowned public housing estates, has been a part of the city for 60 years. The distinctive rainbow colours make it truly unique and draw numerous tourists and locals, giving it an iconic status. It would be a shame to demolish it as it would be difficult replace its historical significance..
Built between 1962 and 1964, it has allowed the residents to build a loving and strong community over the years. People living in the estate have developed close connections and strong bonds with each other. The estate provides a social fabric through various activities like the basketball court, which encourages interaction among residents. Redevelopment would disrupt this social network, leading to a loss of support systems.
Moreover, the estate is also known for the small shops and stores within its premises, providing convenient shopping options for residents. Renovating the estate would force these shops and stores to go out of business for the time that the estate is under renovation. And even once the redevelopment is complete, there would be a chance of an increase in the rent and service charges for these shops, placing a burden on the businesses that rely on its affordability.
Therefore, not only would the residents be affected by redevelopment, but the owners of the small businesses as well.
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Renovating the Choi Hung Estate could cause difficulties for those living nearby. Since the renovation process would take a considerable amount of time, estate residents would need to temporarily relocate and readjust their daily routines and face certain challenges, potentially disrupting their social connections.
Additionally, common areas such as playgrounds, basketball courts and parking areas may need to be closed for safety reasons during the renovation process. The loss of access to these amenities can negatively impact the overall well-being and attitude of the residents in the vicinity of the estate.
In conclusion, redevelopment should be avoided due to the estate’s historical and cultural significance, strong community and affordable pricing.