TNAG-0003-FCO40-39-Commission-of-Enquiry-into-the-Kowloon-disturbances-addition-1968 — Page 158

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PART VI CONCLUSIONS

(ii) Environment: Physical and Social

513. Related to the question of overcrowded housing conditions is that of the lack of open space which is particularly severe in Yau Ma Tei and Mong Kok. Social workers again felt that this may be a continuing cause of tension amongst the residents of these areas and stressed the need for a greater provision of recreation grounds and open space in the overcrowded urban areas. They felt that a proportion of this open space had to be in the immediate vicinity of the residential areas in view of the limited leisure time available to most of the poorer people.

514. As in the case of inadequate housing, however, it was pointed out that the shortage of open space and recreational facilities was not mentioned as a causative factor by any of the participants in the disturbances. Furthermore, the shortage is not confined to the area in which the disturbances occurred. It is equally serious in other areas and the situation has been improving noticeably.

Comment

515. Overcrowded housing conditions and shortage of open space are two aspects of urban congestion which point to the need for a continuing programme of urban renewal and new town development. These are costly in time as well as money and may, in turn, create new social tensions through the displacement of large numbers of people into a new environment.

516. Nevertheless, we believe that the growing aspirations of the population demand a better social environment and as this can only be achieved, to the extent necessary, by a combination of new building and re-building we would strongly endorse any proposals, such as the development of new communities, designed to reduce population stress in the central areas of Hong Kong and Kowloon.

517. The absence of evidence as to any direct connection between the lack of recreational outlets and these disturbances is not unexpected. The link is more likely to be indirect and scarcely apprehended, and although social inadequacies of this kind are not in themselves sufficient to cause people to lose self-control and to riot, we believe that they are universally recognized as factors in creating dissatisfaction. In Hong Kong in particular, the full use to which all such facilities are put is eloquent evidence as to the priority of their need. The April disturbances also show the potential when deviant outlets are found for surplus energy and

emotion.

518. Social. Witnesses also spoke of the undesirable effect, particularly on young people, of the evident spread of bars, dance halls and brothels through the areas in which the disturbances took place. Mention was also made of the number of undesirable films, books and magazines.