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PART VI CONCLUSIONS
137
506. It was pointed out that apart from the sheer discomfort of inadequate housing and its adverse direct effect on the general health, slum conditions had wider indirect effects on family life in splitting the Chinese family unit, in forcing the children into crowded streets where they were often outside control of their parents, and on education and general social development by lack of privacy and denying the children space to do their homework, to study or to meet their friends.
507. The tensions generated by overcrowded housing conditions were exacer- bated in these areas by the overcrowded streets and the lack of recreation space. From these conditions, it was held that frustration would naturally arise amongst young people hemmed in by buildings, noise, dirt, smoke and smells which could lead to the aggressive expression of their frustration and discontent when the opportunity occurred.
508. On the other hand, it was pointed out that no direct connection could be shown between poor housing conditions and the disturbances, and there were other areas with equally poor housing conditions which remained quiet. Moreover the conditions have not only been in existence for a long time without causing disturbances, but have been improving markedly-though perhaps not speedily enough in recent years.
509. Social welfare circles felt that persons living in Government resettlement or low-cost housing estates were comparatively satisfied and they attributed this to greater security of tenure, reasonable rents, more open space and a greater provision of Government and voluntary agency services.
Comment
510. We have indicated at an early stage why we think the riots found their location along Nathan Road, north and south of Mong Kok. Consequently, we think that too much significance should not be read into the housing conditions in that vicinity. Nevertheless, we agree that housing is of prime importance to nearly all sections of the population in Hong Kong. As in other countries in the world which have experienced a refugee influx, it is the most obvious sign of the 'problem of people'.
511. In Hong Kong, it was the first aspect of the population explosion which attracted large scale efforts by Government in the shape of the resettlement pro- gramme and other Government-assisted housing agencies. These together have provided housing for nearly one million people in the last 12 years and private developers have made housing available for nearly two million. As one witness remarked, this is an achievement of which too little is known locally.
512. Nevertheless, it is clear that the problem still remains a large one with the need to rehouse great numbers from squatter areas and deteriorating old build- ings as well as to reduce overcrowding in the existing estates and to plan for urban renewal in the older urban areas such as Yau Ma Tei.