Historic Pok Fu Lam village named alongside Venice in World Monuments Watch list
One of the last villages on Hong Kong Island makes global list of places under threat, raising hopes that it could become a world heritage site
Pok Fu Lam village has been named in an international list that seeks to preserve threatened monuments around the world.
And being included in the list means that the 150-year-old Pok Fu Lam village has the potential to become a world heritage site, one expert says.
The village, which for years has been threatened with development, is one of the last villages on Hong Kong Island. Some 2,000 people live in the village in what is classified as "squatter housing", in spaces constructed from metal sheets. Its history dates back to at least 1868.
The village also features historic structures that were part of the city's largest dairy farm, including an octagonal cowshed, main office building and a two-storey Western-style house used as staff quarters. The cowshed and office building have a grade-two status under the city's heritage classification, while the house is classified grade one.
The New York-based non-profit World Monuments Fund described Pok Fu Lam village as "a unique collection of modest traditional buildings on narrow lanes and alleys in the heart of Hong Kong". "The modest appearance of the village belies its importance to the history of Hong Kong," it said.
Villager Siu Kwan-lun, who was among a group which nominated the site for the list, said they wanted to bring attention to the village's unique history. "We want to let the whole of Hong Kong know about Pok Fu Lam village and get to know the place," he said. The village, located next to housing complex Chi Fu Fa Yuen, has for years been under development pressure. In his policy address this year, Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying added further pressure with his proposal to lift development restrictions in Pok Fu Lam.