A HISTORICAL REVIEW OF
HOUSING CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG
E. G. PRYOR
Introduction
The pattern of residential development in Hong Kong today is the cumulative result of historical forces which began to exert their influence almost from the time when the colony came under British jurisdiction in 1842. It is therefore towards an appreciation of the current housing situation that this study outlines Hong Kong's efforts to provide homes for its people over the past 130 years. In tracing the course of history in this particular field it will be found that the dreadful living conditions which persisted in many districts in the last century, and even in more recent years, have been the combined result of an overwhelming demand for and critical shortage of accommodation; the general poverty of the population; the inadequacy of utility services; the exploitation of families desperate for a roof over their heads; and the difficulty of enforcing (and sometimes the lack of) suitable regulations governing standards of building construction, the provision of household facilities and overcrowding. However, on the basis of recent achievements the future seems much brighter.
Founding of the Colony
The sea routes between Europe and China, first established by the Arabs in the 7th Century A.D., were reopened in the sixteenth century by the Portuguese who settled in Macau in 1557. Spanish, Dutch, English and French traders soon followed but during the eighteenth century the British merchants captured most of the China trade which comprised mainly exports of tea and silk. The East India Company initially held the monopoly of trade and Canton became the centre of business for the British merchants.
*Dr. E. G. Pryor is Senior Planning Officer in the New Territories Planning Section, Crown Lands & Survey Office, Hong Kong. This monograph has been extracted largely from his Ph.D thesis, "An Assessment of the Need and Scope for Urban Renewal in Hong Kong." The views expressed are entirely those of the author and do not necessarily coincide with those of the Government of Hong Kong. Author's copyright.
Plates 8-12 illustrate this article.
A HISTORICAL REVIEW OF
HOUSING CONDITIONS IN HONG KONG
E. G. PRYOR
Introduction
The pattern of residential development in Hong Kong today is the cumulative result of historical forces which began to exert their influence almost from the time when the colony came under British jurisdiction in 1842. It is therefore towards an appreciation of the current housing situation that this study outlines Hong Kong's efforts to provide homes for its people over the past 130 years. In tracing the course of history in this particular field it will be found that the dreadful living conditions which persisted in many districts in the last century, and even in more recent years, have been the combined result of an overwhelming demand for and critical short- age of accommodation; the general poverty of the population; the inadequacy of utility services; the exploitation of families desperate for a roof over their heads; and the difficulty of enforcing (and some- times the lack of) suitable regulations governing standards of build- ing construction, the provision of household facilities and over- crowding. However, on the basis of recent achievements the future seems much brighter.
Founding of the Colony
The sea routes between Europe and China, first established by the Arabs in the 7th Century A.D., were reopened in the sixteenth century by the Portuguese who settled in Macau in 1557. Spanish, Dutch, English and French traders soon followed but during the eighteenth century the British merchants captured most of the China trade which comprised mainly exports of tea and silk. The East India Company initially held the monopoly of trade and Canton became the centre of business for the British merchants.
*Dr. E. G. Pryor is Senior Planning Officer in the New Territories Planning Section, Crown Lands & Survey Office, Hong Kong. This mono- graph has been extracted largely from his Ph.D thesis, "An Assessment of the Need and Scope for Urban Renewal in Hong Kong." The views expressed are entirely those of the author and do not necessarily coincide with those of the Government of Hong Kong. Author's copyright.
Plates 8-12 illustrate this article.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.