Despite the departure of the area's factories, poor air quality remains one of the main drawbacks of living in Kwun Tong

POLLUTION REMAINS A major problem in Hong Kong's most densely populated district - the residential and industrial mix that is Kwun Tong. Severe noise and air pollution has also been a problem in other districts on the eastern side of Kowloon, such as Ngau Tau Kok and Kowloon Bay. Legislators from these districts have included issues related to pollution in their election platforms, promising to solve this long-standing problem. Despite the relocation of a number of Kwun Tong factories in the 1980s to Shenzhen and Guangzhou, the construction of commercial plazas and the redevelopment of old housing estates has bolstered pollution levels. In the past decade, Kwun Tong has rid itself of its factories, but in their place have sprouted a number of commercial complexes. Kwun Tong has emerged as a competitive decentralised location, attracting the operations of multinationals and banks such as Standard Chartered, tempting them with cheaper costs. Congestion and overcrowding is another big problem in Kwun Tong, a fact which was highlighted in a recent government study, released earlier in the month, which projected that after Sha Tin, Kwun Tong would be the second most populous district in 2010, housing 651,300 people. The residential area in Kwun Tong stretches from the Kwun Tong MTR station to the Ngau Tau Kok MTR station. The housing clustered around Kwun Tong station is more than 30 years old. Moving westwards along Kwun Tong Road towards Ngau Tau Kok station, you can find newer developments. Most of these residential buildings are single developments and do not contain in-house facilities. Prices of apartments around the station are cheaper than elsewhere, mainly because of the twin drawbacks of congestion and a noisy environment. Prices here range from HK$1,800 per square foot to HK$2,200 per sq ft, according to property agents. Adding to the noisy atmosphere are shopping centres, minibus stops, restaurants and cinemas, all situated around Kwun Tong station. The area's many old buildings are being either redeveloped or pulled down to make way for newer ones and there is the constant din of drills and construction, shattering the peace of residents during the day, especially those in apartments facing the industrial area and the Kwun Tong bypass. 'We have a very good transport system which links us to Hong Kong Island, the New Territories and other parts of Kowloon. However, the place is often under reconstruction hence it is noisy, you feel that there is no peace at home during the daytime,' a resident complained. Yue Man Centre, a 13-year old development by Cheung Kong (Holdings), contains about 500 units and is the largest development in the area. The residential units are built over a two-storey shopping complex, which gives residents easy access to shops and restaurants, and is just four minutes' walk from the nearest MTR station - Ngau Tau Kok. The apartments in Yue Man come in only two sizes - 726 sq ft and 860 sq ft - both having three bedrooms. Midland Realty's Jim Fung, residential district manager for Kowloon East, said the three bedrooms are the main attraction for people looking to buy in this area. A 860 sq ft apartment in Yue Man costs about HK$2.28 million, a bargain if you are prepared to do without good views. Buyers with lower budgets can choose from a number of smaller apartments, measuring about 550 sq ft, for less than HK$1 million in other Kwun Tong developments. Rentals at Yue Man are HK$12 per sq ft, while in other buildings in the same area they are cheaper - HK$10 per sq ft on average. 'The apartments are smaller and buildings are closer to each other near the MTR station. You don't get many views like [the ones] up on the hill,' said Mr Fung. To get away from the noise and pollution, one can look for apartments on the hillside - which the locals refer to as the 'Kwun Tong Mid-Levels' - though they are more expensive than the ones near the MTR station. 'Kwun Tong has a hilly landscape. Some of the most expensive apartments are built up at the mid-hill, because of the quieter and cleaner environment,' said Mr Fung. The 'Mid-Levels' encompass Kung Lok Road and Hong Lee Road, and the prices of apartments there range from HK$2,200 per sq ft to HK$2,600 sq ft. Despite being more than 20 years old, spacious and peaceful surroundings make the Nam Hong Building, on Hong Lee Road, a popular choice among local residents. All Nam Hong's units come in one standard size - 1,103 sq ft with a car-parking space. 'All the units are more than 1,000 sq ft, which is a rarity in Kwun Tong district,' Mr Fung said. An apartment in Nam Hong on one of the upper floors, with one suite and two bedrooms, costs about HK$2.85 million. Rentals are, on average, HK$14 per sq ft. The Nam Hong Building is on top of the hill and captures good views of the harbour and Hong Kong Island. Units facing southeast and southwest overlook the old Kai Tak airport and Lei Yue Mun. A unique feature of developments in Kwun Tong Mid-Levels, including the Nam Hong Building, is that all the apartments come with car-parking spaces. 'It is more suitable for residents who have their own cars as units are sold with parking lots,' said one resident. Otherwise, those without a car can take a 10-minute minibus ride to Ngau Tau Kok MTR station. However, on the down side, apartments in this area are old and often require a substantial amount of renovation. Also, they tend to have a lack of in-house facilities, which one usually finds in newer developments in other districts. Next week: Yuen Long Graphic: pro26gwz