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Hong Kong Ant Tribe

On Hong Kong’s 1,108 square kilometers of land live 7.07 million people. They have the world’s densest skyline while also German photographer Michael Wolf has completed photographing two collections “Architecture of Density” and “100×100” (100 households living in 100 square feet public apartments), in Hong Kong. The two pieces of work show the inside and outside of Hong Kong housing, and the other side behind the scenes. Photographer: Michael Wolf. Compiler: Fei Tian. Source: M97 Shanghai Contemporary Photography Gallery.

Architecture of Density

Because of historical, political, and geographical reasons, only 23.7% of Hong Kong’s land is developed. 76 square kilometers of land is developed for housing use, which occupies only 6.8% of the total land area.

Due to the high population density caused by limits on land development, 7.07 million people mainly live in residential high-rises. There are a total of 6588 high-rise buildings in all of Hong Kong, far surpassing New York’s 5818 buildings, becoming a veritable “skyscraper city”.

Michael Wolf’s “Architecture of Density” collection takes a look at these oppressive concrete “curtains”, painting a picture of abstract patterns that blot out the sky.

Michael Wolf “Architecture of Density” #57 (2006)

Michael Wolf “Architecture of Density” #119 (2008)

Michael Wolf “Architecture of Density” #39 (2003)

Michael Wolf “Architecture of Density” #98 (2008)

Michael Wolf “Architecture of Density” #23 (2005)

Michael Wolf “Architecture of Density” #111 (2008)

Michael Wolf “Architecture of Density” #43 (2006)

Michael Wolf “Architecture of Density” #19 (2003)

Michael Wolf “Architecture of Density” #108 (2008)

Michael Wolf “Architecture of Density” #95 (2008)

100X100

Hong Kong’s average housing prices is 12.6x the median annual household income, ranking first/highest in the world. As of 2011, 47.7% of Hong Kong city residents live in public apartments (government subsidized housing) or residences (government rent-controlled housing) because they are unable to purchase private housing. It’s per capita residential space is 12.8 square meters.

Kowloon’s Shek Kip Mei Estates was Hong Kong’s first public housing development. On 1953 December 24th, the wooden Shek Kip Mei experienced a large fire, leaving 53,000 people homeless. The Hong Kong government directly intervened to provide housing, building new public housing in the original location for the disaster victims. Shek Kip Mei became a model, beginning Hong Kong’s era of public housing.

At the end of 2007 April, Michael Wolf learned that Shek Kip Mei Estates was to be demolished and rebuilt, and spent four days time going door to door to photograph every one of Shek Kip Mei’s 100 square feet (approximately 9.3 square meter) rooms, revealing these half-century old public housing units, and the stories of the 100 households that live there. 2007 May 1st, Shek Kip Mei’s residents began to move out, and the demolition began.

Michael Wolf “100×100″ #20 (2006). Name: Lam Sam Mui. Age: 93. Time at this residence: 30 years. Former occupation: Peddler. What aspect of this public housing do you like: No comment.

Michael Wolf “100×100″ #26 (2006). Name: So Sheung (right). Age: 94. Time at this residence: 25 years. Former occupation: Food delivery boy. What aspect of this public housing do you like: Low rent.

Michael Wolf “100×100″ #18 (2006). Name: Choi Ting Shou (right). Age: 69. Time at this residence: 27 years. Former occupation: Security guard. What aspect of this public housing do you like: Friendly neighbors.

Michael Wolf “100×100″ #4 (2006). Name: Liu Kam Chiu (left), Chung Fut (right) Age: 70 (left), 81 (right). Time at this residence: 17 years. Former occupation: Cleaning woman (left), peddler (right). What aspect of this public housing do you like: Convenient transportation, friendly neighbors, good ventilation.

Michael Wolf “100×100″ #15 (2006). Name: Tham Ho. Age: 99. Time at this residence: 26 years. Former occupation: Cement plant worker. What aspect of this public housing do you like: Low rent, can chat with neighbors, neighbors take care of each other (one neighbor helps her buy food every day).

Michael Wolf “100×100″ #37 (2006). Name: Yau Ka Yan. Age: 11. Time at this residence: 6 years. Occupation: Student. What aspect of this public housing do you like: Neighbors are good-natured and entertaining in conversation.

Michael Wolf “100×100″ #92 (2006). Name: Ma Gui Woon. Age: 68. Time at this residence: 13 years. Former occupation: Clothing factory worker. What aspect of this public housing do you like: Everything.

Michael Wolf “100×100″ #40 (2006). Name: Tam King (left). Age: 82. Time at this residence: 25 years. Former occupation: Metalwork factory worker. What aspect of this public housing do you like: Convenient transportation.

Michael Wolf “100×100″ #69 (2006). Name: Tsang King Wah. Age: 11. Time at this residence: 7 years. Occupation: Student. What aspect of this public housing do you like: Convenient transportation.

Michael Wolf “100×100″ #2 (2006). Name: Chung Ying. Age: 84. Time at this residence: 12 years. Occupation: Housewife. What aspect of this public housing do you like: Good environment, friendly neighbors.

Backlink: http://www.chinasmack.com/2012/pictures/hong-kong-high-density-housing-cramped-living-conditions.html

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Posted by ChinaSmack Sunday, 27 May 2012 on 10:06.

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