600-year-old Walled Village Faces Demolition
With demolition pending, residents of Nga Tsin Wai walled village in Wong Tai Sin are organizing what may be their last ever outdoor market.
Since March of this year, the people of 600-year-old Nga Tsin Wai village have been putting on a lively market every month to raise awareness about the URA's impending redevelopment of the area. Organized by the Nga Tsin Wai Tsuen Concern Group, which advocates better heritage conservation and residents' rights, the fair assembles hawkers from around the village to display their homemade foods and wares in hopes to garner support from Hongkongers.
This Sunday’s market, however, could be the last: the Urban Renewal Authority, which announced its plans back in 2007, said they will start issuing demolition notices this month.
Despite the impending redevelopment, around 20 residents said they won’t be going anywhere: they want the right to build similar village settlements nearby in Wong Tai Sin so they can continue their existing lifestyle. The last urban indigenous village of its kind, the area has irrefutable historical significance.
So why the demolition? The URA claims that the planned residential redevelopment targeted for completion by 2019 would improve living conditions of residents. Right now, the organization says, there's a lack of sanitation and poor maintenance. After a conservation study by experts, The Urban Renewal Authority plans to “recreate the village ambience as far as practicable." But after botched attempts to preserve other heritage districts, such as Wedding Card Street and Queen’s Pier, we’re skeptical about the URA’s vision. In fact, the URA only plans to retain the gatehouse, stone tablet and Tin Hau Temple—for “village ambience," we presume.
Before the URA's plans reshape the district, catch Nga Tsin Wai's last market this coming Sunday from 12-7pm. Hawkers will be selling homemade snacks, daily utensils and second-hand furniture, while residents share a slice of Hong Kong heritage through personal stories.
Getting there: Head to Nga Tsin Wai Tsuen from Lok Fu MTR Exit B, then switch to minibus 39M. Get off at the fourth stop.