Squatters Fires And Colonial Rule In Hong Kong 1950-1963: A Forgotten Chapter

From the 1950s to the early 1960s, Hong Kong witnessed a series of devastating fires that resulted in significant loss of lives and property. These fires were often concentrated in squatter areas, where impoverished families struggled to make a living under colonial rule. This article explores the historical context surrounding these fires, their impact on the local population, and the response of the colonial government during this time.

Hong Kong's Squatter Problem

In the aftermath of World War II, Hong Kong experienced an influx of immigrants and a severe housing shortage. To accommodate the growing population, many families resorted to building makeshift shelters on government-owned land. These settlements, known as squatter areas, were often overcrowded and lacked proper infrastructure. The precarious nature of these dwellings made them highly susceptible to fires.

Colonial Rule and Neglect

During this period, Hong Kong was under British colonial rule. The colonial government, however, failed to adequately address the housing crisis and improve living conditions in squatter areas. Neglect and a lack of investment in infrastructure exacerbated the vulnerability of these communities to fire hazards.

The Shek Kip Mei Myth: Squatters, Fires and Colonial Rule in Hong Kong, 1950–1963

by Alan Smart(Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	120077 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	501 pages

FREE

The Squatters Fires

Beginning in the 1950s, a series of fires swept through the squatter areas of Hong Kong, leaving destruction and devastation in their wake. These fires often spread quickly due to the densely packed nature of the settlements and the flammable materials used in construction.

The fires not only resulted in the loss of homes and possessions but also claimed the lives of many residents who were unable to escape in time. The absence of proper firefighting equipment and limited access to emergency services further compounded the tragedy.

Government Response

In the face of this escalating crisis, the colonial government finally recognized the need to address the dire living conditions in squatter areas. Efforts were made to improve infrastructure and provide basic amenities, such as clean water and sanitation facilities. Additionally, new regulations were introduced to prevent further encroachments onto government land.

However, these measures were implemented at a slow pace, and many families continued to live in hazardous conditions. The lack of comprehensive planning and long-term solutions only perpetuated the cycle of poverty and vulnerability among the squatter population.

A Forgotten Chapter

The series of squatters fires that plagued Hong Kong between 1950 and 1963 remains a largely forgotten chapter in the city's history. While the fires brought attention to the dire living conditions faced by squatter communities, lasting change was slow to come.

Ultimately, it was not until the late 1960s and early 1970s that significant progress was made in addressing the housing crisis in Hong Kong. The construction of public housing estates replaced many squatter areas, providing safer and more stable living conditions for the population.

Legacy and Lessons

The squatters fires of the 1950s and 1960s serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by marginalized communities and the consequences of neglect by those in power. The lessons learned from this period have shaped modern urban planning and emphasized the importance of inclusive development and equitable access to housing.

Hong Kong's journey from a city plagued by squatter fires to a global financial hub is a testament to the resilience and determination of its people. The events of this forgotten chapter serve as a stark reminder of the past and the ongoing struggles faced by many communities worldwide.

The squatters fires that occurred in Hong Kong from 1950 to 1963 were a direct result of the housing crisis and neglect by the colonial government. These fires highlighted the dire living conditions faced by squatter communities and the need for comprehensive urban planning and equitable access to housing.

While the fires remain largely forgotten, their legacy serves as a reminder to acknowledge the struggles of marginalized communities and work towards creating a more just and inclusive society. The lessons learned from this period continue to shape modern urban development and remind us of the importance of addressing the root causes of societal challenges.

It is essential to remember the forgotten stories and experiences that have shaped our cities and societies, as they play an integral role in understanding our collective history and striving for a better future.

The Shek Kip Mei Myth: Squatters, Fires and Colonial Rule in Hong Kong, 1950–1963

by Alan Smart(Kindle Edition)

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	120077 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	501 pages

FREE

Alan Smart raises serious questions about the standard view that Hong Kong’s mass public housing programme was a direct and humane response by the Government to the Shek Kip Mei fire. Rather he argues that the Government’s response to that fire was grudging and incremental rather than a sharp and radical turning point, and that the security and stability of Hong Kong weighed as heavily, possibly more so, in the decisions than the predicament of the fire victims. His research shows that a whole sequence of major fires after Shek Kip Mei, and the political costs of the Mainland sending comfort missions to fire victims both before and after were needed to bring about the final commitment to provide mass public housing. In his critical examination of the conventional position, Professor Smart bases his case on a thorough reading of government records and provides a careful investigation into the origins of the public housing policy in Hong Kong.

This volume makes an important contrarian contribution to the postwar history of Hong Kong and is a significant addition to the study of its modern development.

Alan Smart is a Professor in the Department of Anthropology, University of Calgary, Canada. His previous book on Hong Kong’s housing was Making Room: Squatter Clearance in Hong Kong (Hong Kong: Centre of Asian Studies, 1992).

“A major contribution to our understanding of Hong Kong’s social history, this very readable study of public housing is highly relevant to contemporary Hong Kong. Alan Smart writes first class history with great conviction and, based on his own experience of their living conditions, with a special sensitivity to the squatter family and its struggle for shelter.

As he reconstructs in masterly fashion the transition from the squalid squatter colonies of early postwar Hong Kong to the massive public housing programmes that have transformed the living standards of so many Hong Kong families, he reveals the government’s reluctant acceptance of responsibility for providing decent housing for the community. In the process, he uncovers the serious handicaps of an unelected colonial administration. Professor Smart’s work is a remarkable piece of research into Hong Kong’s most pressing social problem.” —Leo F. Goodstadt