Considered as a public housing marvel, Fai Ming Estate stands tall. It is on Fai Ming Road in Fanling Hong Kong. This estate tells tales of planning challenges and community resilience.
Fai Ming Estate got its name from its location. It is on Fai Ming Road. The Chinese name is 6689660e90a8. The Cantonese Yale is fa12b mechng chyu16bn. Before its completion it was known as Fanling Area 49 Public Housing Development.
Fai Ming Estate faced some hurdles. It sits in a valley between Kei Lak Tsai and Pak Tai To Yan. The land was initially for government use. But the demand for housing changed that.
Original plans featured a 34-story block with 700 flats. The building was set to start in 2013 and end in 2017. An environmental impact assessment changed things. Uncommon bat species lived on the land. The assessment said the west side should be for planting only. Foundations could not block water paths. This led to a recreational park being built.
In 2014 surveying showed more land issues. The new plan included two blocks. One block would have 41 stories. The other would have 18. The increase in flats addressed a new housing policy.
The blocks were finally completed in 2019. Sing Fai House is a non-standard block. Tai Fai House is the other block. Together they house 952 flats.
Fai Ming Estate faced another challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic. In January 2020 the government wanted to use it for quarantine. It was for people close to those infected. Residents of nearby estates protested. They were worried about the location. It was close to high-density housing. They were also concerned about the capacity of North District Hospital.
Protests broke out. Makeshift roadblocks appeared. Portable traffic barriers were used. Bricks and bicycles blocked entrances. A building lobby was set on fire. Riot police arrived. Eleven people got arrested. The government suspended work. Journalists found furnished flats. The government’s announcement appeared to be ready for occupation.
The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong intervened. They met with Chief Executive Carrie Lam. She pledged not to use Fai Ming Estate for quarantine. The government dropped its plans.
Fai Ming Estate represents community and planning. It stands as a testament to overcoming challenges. It reflects Hong Kong’s ever-changing story.