So Uk Estate
Encyclopedia
Public housing in Hong Kong
Public housing in Hong Kong is a set of mass housing programmes through which the Government of Hong Kong provides affordable housing for lower-income residents. It is a major component of housing in Hong Kong, with nearly half of the population now residing in some form of public housing...
in the northern area So Uk
So Uk
So Uk is an area at the north of Cheung Sha Wan in New Kowloon of Hong Kong. It was originally a village of family surname So. It is now includes the area surrounding the So Uk Estate. A major hospital Caritas Medical Centre is also located with the area....
, a downhill
Downhill
Downhill is an alpine skiing discipline. The rules for the Downhill were originally developed by Sir Arnold Lunn for the 1921 British National Ski Championships....
in Cheung Sha Wan
Cheung Sha Wan
Cheung Sha Wan is an area between Lai Chi Kok and Sham Shui Po in New Kowloon, Hong Kong. It is mainly residential to the north and south, with an industrial area in between. Administratively it is part of Sham Shui Po District. The Sham Shui Po District includes Mei Foo as well as Lai Chi...
, Kowloon
Kowloon
Kowloon is an urban area in Hong Kong comprising the Kowloon Peninsula and New Kowloon. It is bordered by the Lei Yue Mun strait in the east, Mei Foo Sun Chuen and Stonecutter's Island in the west, Tate's Cairn and Lion Rock in the north, and Victoria Harbour in the south. It had a population of...
, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
.
History
The estate was built alongside of squatter areas. The squatter was later demolished for the construction of the estate of 16 blocks in 1960. The blocks were called "Houses" and named after varieties of flowers. Unlike many public housing estates built afterward, the architecturalArchitecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
design of the estates is unique in Hong Kong. There are 5,316 flats in the estate, with areas ranging from 19.5 to 49.1m2, with capacity of 15,200.
Of distinctive design, the estate was the home of many famous individuals during their youth in Hong Kong, for example, Sam Hui and his brothers, Wong Ka Kui
Wong Ka Kui
Wong Ka-Kui was a Hong Kong composer, songwriter, musician and singer. He was the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and the founder of the Hong Kong rock band Beyond....
and his brother in the band Beyond
Beyond (band)
Beyond was a rock band formed in Hong Kong in 1983. The band became prominent in Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia. They were also very popular in mainland China. The band was, and still is, widely considered as the most successful and influential Cantonese band from Hong Kong...
and many others.
Closed/demolished buildings
- Cedar House (金松樓)
- Cherry House (櫻桃樓)
- Orchid House (蘭花樓)
- Gladiolus House (劍蘭樓)
- Carnation House (石竹樓)
- Peony House (牡丹樓)
- Maple House (楓林樓)
- Willow House (綠柳樓)
- Marigold House (壽菊樓)
- Lilac House (丁香樓)
Buildings to be closed in 2012
- Azalea House (杜鵑樓)
- Begonia House (海棠樓)
- Camelia House (茶花樓)
- Larkspur House (彩雀樓)
- Lily House (百合樓)
- Lotus House (荷花樓)
Future
, over 48 years, the structure is still in good condition but its estimated high maintenance cost made the Hong Kong Housing AuthorityHong Kong Housing Authority
The Hong Kong Housing Authority is the main provider of public housing in Hong Kong. It was established in 1973 under the Housing Ordinance and is an agency of the Government of Hong Kong...
decide to demolish the six blocks in March 2012 . The Authority will compensate residents and aid in their move. It has also allowed residents the option of moving into Un Chau Estate
Un Chau Estate
Un Chau Estate , or Un Chau Street Estate before redevelopment, is a public housing estate on the reclaimed land of Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, Hong Kong, located between Un Chau Street and Cheung Sha Wan Road, next to MTR Cheung Sha Wan Station. It consists of 10 residential buildings completed in...
Phases 2, 4, and 5 in Sham Shui Po
Sham Shui Po
Sham Shui Po, or Shamshuipo, is an area of Sham Shui Po District, Hong Kong, situated in the northwestern part of the Kowloon Peninsula, north of Tai Kok Tsui, east of Cheung Sha Wan and south of Shek Kip Mei. Sham Shui Po is known for its street market for electronic devices.-History:Sham Shui Po...
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A foundation titled, "Farewell So Uk" http://www.souk.hk/ was established as a historical archive for the Estate and to document its history of its residents. It is sponsored by the Salvation Army
Salvation Army
The Salvation Army is a Protestant Christian church known for its thrift stores and charity work. It is an international movement that currently works in over a hundred countries....
of Hong Kong and the Salisbury YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
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