Page 20 - 160 varsity ebook

18 /

Wasal Khan at his snack shop.
out urban renewal, with their sustain-
ability aim to support social inclusive-
ness and social mobility of the under-
privileged.
But many of Khan’s friends had
to move out of To Kwa Wan and bear
higher living costs.
Khan prefers staying in the area
and moving both his shop and home
to the nearby wet market. “I have
many friends here. I have business
here, and I have my home here, so it
(To Kwa Wan) is special (to me),” he
says.
Chloe Au Yee-wing, a social work-
er in the To Kwa Wan urban renewal
social service team, thinks the place is
unique for its intangible connections
between people. Notices posted by the Urban Renewal Authority in
The renewal projects involving the redevelopment zones.
Wing Kwong Street, Kai Ming Street, She recalls seeing the charm of the are becoming rare in Hong Kong,” she
Hung Fook Street, Yuk Shing Street neighbourhood when she first started says.
and Ngan Hon Street came to an end working in the area two years ago. “Strong community networks may
by August, with the last two shops “Walking from one end of the be alien to the young generation. Ur-
moved out on August 16 and the last street to another, everyone greeted one ban renewal and redevelopment are
resident moved out on August 31. another. They gathered around a burst not just about demolishing, compen-
Au says though many elderly peo- water main and joked about it. They sating and relocating. The ties be-
ple have resettled in buildings with put down shopping bags at shops and tween people matter too,” Au adds.
lifts, they prefer their old homes where retrieved them later at night… Small
they grew up with fond memories. communities with close ties like these
“

Urban renewal and redevelopment are not

just about demolishing, compensating and re-

Edited by Kelly Yu
locating. The ties between people matter too. Sub-edited by Reus Lok

”