Nanded to m Laird during
his visit to Hay Kas
WAH FU ESTATE
path (20)
March 1969
2119.
The first units of accommodation of the Wah Fu Estate were com- pleted at the beginning of 1967; on a fine headland site surrounded on three sides by the sea. The headland has considerable historical associations, being bounded on the north by a stream originating on the slopes of Victoria Peak, passing through the Pokfulam reservoir and Dairy Farm lands, to empty into the sea at Waterfall Bay to the north of the Estate. This waterfall is probably the feature which attracted early settlers to Hong Kong and has been the subject of many paintings. It was here that early sailing ships in the area obtained fresh water supplies.
2.
The Estate is located about 11⁄2 miles from Aberdeen and 22 miles from the Mount Davis/Kennedy Town area. In association with the China Motor Bus Company, plans are in hand for improving the transport services
to cope with the increased population of the area. A bus terminus has been completed, with an employees' canteen, checkers' office, kiosk, etc.
3.
Construction is complete so far as site formation and the Phases I, II and III building contracts are concerned, and is in hand on the final phase of the estate. All work is expected to be finished by mid-1970.
4.
When completed, the Estate will have a population of over 54,000 people in almost 8,000 flats.
5.
The total site area of the scheme is 29 acres and the population r density will be 1,855 persons per acre. Despite this high ratio it has been possible, by utilising space on various levels within the buildings together with the recreation areas planned between the buildings, to provide almost one and a half times the total estate area for recreation, play space and other leisure activities, free of traffic and encumbrances.
6.
There are twenty-three blocks of flats (known as "houses") in all and all the accommodation is the usual Housing Authority type of one- room self-contained flat, with living space allocated on the basis of 35 sq.ft. per person, plus kitchen, bathroom/toilet and private verandah, whilst the blocks will range in height from eight to twenty-four storeys.
7.
The heart of the estate is the Town Centre accommodating the commercial and social activities which this large population will require to meet its everyday needs. This town centre presents a gay and attractive appearance by night as well as by day, and, from its promenade decks along the coastline, magnificent views out to sea and the distant islands can be, enjoyed.
8.
Facilities within the town centre include a restaurant, department store, and a community hall, in addition to the usual shops selling rice, groceries and a variety of other commodities. A series of market stalls are available for the sale of fresh fruit and vegetables and clinic facilities for private doctors are provided, to operate along with a small maternity unit. There are a post office, two banks, cafes, and small garden areas where the residents can sit out at leisure.
9.
A public branch library, to be operated by the Urban Council, will also include study cubicles for students anxious to have a quiet space away from their small flat when seriously studying for examinations, whilst four primary schools on the perimeter of the estate and ten kindergarten schools within the estate itself will meet the residents' educational requirements.
10.
The project has been designed and the construction supervised by the Architectural staff of the Housing Division, over a period, when complete, covering about 62 years, including the services and municipal engineering. This work is, at all stages, developed in accordance with the requirements of the Buildings Ordinance, in the same way as for any private real estate scheme.
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