Press Release

Kwun Tong Garden Estate Community Fun Day
Connects Generations of Neighbours and
Kicks Off Cultural Heritage Preservation Programme

The Hong Kong Housing Society (HKHS) held a Community Fun Day (Fun Day) today (12 November), kicking start the cultural heritage preservation programme for Kwun Tong Garden Estate – the second of its kind rolled out by HKHS for estates under redevelopment planning, following its pilot launch for Ming Wah Dai Ha.  The Fun Day is also one of the celebration activities for the 25^th Anniversary of the Establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

HKHS Chairman Walter Chan said, "Kwun Tong Garden Estate is one of the oldest rental estates of the Housing Society and also known as the 'back garden of Kwun Tong'.  It is rich in collective memories and neighbourhood stories carried over half a century.  The Fun Day is a perfect occasion for old and new residents to reunite and celebrate.  They will experience together the unique culture of the estate through exhibition and interesting activities and relive the feelings, stories and objects of the neighbourhood.  All these will play a part in promoting a harmonious community and its sustainable development."

Walter Chan continued, "The Housing Society treasures the communication with our residents and stakeholders in every redevelopment project.  We have been engaging them through different channels since the redevelopment of Kwun Tong Garden Estate was conceived in 2017.  We will maintain a people-centric approach when enhancing the quality of the living environment for the estate.  In addition, redevelopment information will be disseminated timely and we will provide adequate support to the concerned residents on rehousing and decanting arrangements."

The redevelopment planning and construction of Kwun Tong Garden Estate (II) will be carried out in two stages.  The first stage of construction is expected to commence in 2026/27 at the earliest.  The total number of subsidised housing units provided will be doubled to more than 5,800 upon completion of the whole redevelopment project.  The project serves to improve the living environment and also to increase housing supply.  The decanting block at Ting On Street near Kwun Tong Garden Estate is scheduled for completion by 2025/26, providing a rehousing option for residents affected by the first stage of the redevelopment.

The Fun Day was co-organised with the Family Development Foundation, and one of the performances was a vintage fashion show performed by a group of elderly residents living in HKHS's rental estates.  Showcasing onstage multiple sets of creative vintage costumes designed by the students of Hong Kong Design Institute, the silver hair models performed catwalk with vitality, celebrating intergenerational harmony together with the younger generation.

In the photo and experience areas, old photos and various objects collected from the residents were displayed such as historical rent record cards and tenancy agreements, capturing the footprints of the estate in the past and recollecting the residents’ fond memories in the estate.  The Fun Day also introduced the milestones of Kwun Tong Garden Estate and the winning entries from "Kwun Tong Garden Estate Community Photo Competition" which captured the precious moments of the estate in the eyes of the residents.  Participants also enjoyed much fun in the nostalgic game booths, through the experiential activities and performances during the Fun Day.

The cultural heritage preservation programme of Kwun Tong Garden Estate will tie in with the redevelopment of the estate, and a community documentary project is about to commence to record the unique history and culture of the estate, as well as stories about the residents and the community.  Other community engagement projects will also be launched to unite residents and build a sustainable community.