Viewpoints Lai Wai-lun, who organised the Shek Kip Mei Government Primary School party, said: 'I miss the old days because people in the new estate aren't as warm, open and friendly as before. People close their doors and hardly talk to others. People are not interested in knowing their neighbours.' Bernard Lim Wan-fung, president of the Hong Kong Institute of Architects and a professor of architecture at Chinese University, said: '[Another] impressive idea was to turn part of the Shek Kip Mei estate into an artists' village and outdoor food bazaar.' Historian Ho Tim-keung said: 'For many people, living in Shek Kip Mei Estate in the 1950s is the most unforgettable period of their lives. It was shortly after the baby boom of the post-war era and Hong Kong had undergone drastic changes. The quality of public housing then was ridiculous.' Lee Cert-quinn, Assistant Director of Housing (Estate Management), said: 'All of the 1,640 households affected by the current clearance exercise have accepted Domestic Removal Allowance ranging from HK$2,600 for one-person households to HK$7,520 for households of six or above. Over 99 per cent of the households have been rehoused in nearby estates in the same district. About 10 remaining households agreeing to move out have been given a two-week grace period, and must vacate their units by November 1.' Web links www.housingauthority.gov.hk - home page of Hong Kong Housing Authority and Housing Department www.com.cuhk.edu.hk/varsity/0505/our_community2.htm - an article on Shek Kip Mei Estate written by a Chinese University student www.pbase.com/hltam/shekkipmei - photos of Shek Kip Mei Estate Discussion Should people affected by redevelopments be rehoused in the same district? Enquiries How many of you in your class live in public housing estates? Do you like living there? Find out about public housing estates built in the 1950s and 60s. Should they all be demolished and re-built to improve the tenants' living environment? Do you know your neighbours well? How often do you talk to them?
