Join us for “From Refugee Crisis to Real Estate Revolution: Hong Kong’s 1950s Transformation“, second episode in our “Hong Kong – Harbour Chronicles” series.
This episode dives into a fascinating period. Host Vince Chong and Simon Reid-Kay really dig deep into how a huge influx of refugees after WWII, which swelled Hong Kong’s population to a whopping two million, completely changed the city’s urban landscape.
They walk us through the pivotal shift from those dangerous squatter settlements to one of the world’s most extensive public housing systems. It was a massive undertaking that literally rehomed half a million people and kicked off a construction boom that just kept going. You’ll hear all about how local construction firms emerged, how property regulations evolved, and the crucial role the government played in shaping land policy.
While they celebrate the incredible progress, Vince and Simon don’t shy away from the ongoing challenges. It’s a sobering thought that 200,000 residents are still living in pretty substandard housing. They wrap up by showing us how that 1950s housing crisis didn’t just shape Hong Kong’s transformation into a global metropolis – it’s still influencing its property market even today.
