The Overcrowding Problem in Hong Kong.
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by
allenchan (student)
Overcrowding problem is a socially hot talk in the society recently. Yet, the government has been paying a lot of effort and putting much emphasis on this issue in order to create a better living condition for her residents. Living in a cramped area, people want to move to other places that is much more comfortable or hope the area that they are living now can be renewed as soon as possible because overcrowding is seriously undermining their quality of life in different aspects.With regard to the safety of the overcrowded area, the area is often regarded as dangerous because of a number of social problems. We all know that the rental price of flats in an overcrowded area, like Kwun Tong and Mong Kwok, is cheaper than others in the town. As a result, a lot of poverty and new immigrants from mainland incline to rent a
flat in an already-crowded area. The supply of such flats cannot fulfill the demand for it. Illegal and unauthorized structure and buildings are likely to emerge to settle the excessive demand for living space. Gradually, the number of illegal structures reaches the highest. The most frightening is that if there is a fire, the fire will spread rapidly and uncontrollably in the area through illegal structures. There is no doubt that those illegal structures can jeopardize people’s life owing to the general absence of key facilities that can protect people’s life. For instance, fire extinguishing devices is lacking commonly.Moreover, the ...
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flat in an already-crowded area. The supply of such flats cannot fulfill the demand for it. Illegal and unauthorized structure and buildings are likely to emerge to settle the excessive demand for living space. Gradually, the number of illegal structures reaches the highest. The most frightening is that if there is a fire, the fire will spread rapidly and uncontrollably in the area through illegal structures. There is no doubt that those illegal structures can jeopardize people’s life owing to the general absence of key facilities that can protect people’s life. For instance, fire extinguishing devices is lacking commonly.Moreover, the crime rate in such area is often high. With a lot of people who are on lower social ladder living in the same and tiny area, crime may readily be found. Those who are difficult to make a living is likely to commit crimes as they just cannot provide a better environment or daily necessities to their family members and offspring. Together with other favorable condition of overcrowded area, they may engage in drug smuggling, theft, prostitutions, gang activities… Overcrowded area is a hotbed of developing crimes which is threatening other innocent residents.In respect of hygiene problem, it is another concerning issue. Generally speaking, overcrowded area is unhygienic. Starting from a flat, it is common that a large flat is separated to several small rooms which can be leased out at a lower price to different people. Recently, we can find that some people are living in a cage featuring only a tiny space for just sleeping. Other furniture and facilities like kitchen, toilet, bathroom, are shared among the lessees. It is not hard to imagine how disgusting the facilities are if there is no regular cleaning. Everyone has to take turn to use the facilities, then, each lessee has to do everything in rush. For instance, cooking materials are not thoroughly cleaned. As a whole, sewage and garbage may not be treated in a proper way. Conversely, it is favorable to rats, insects and bacteria that can transmit various diseases. People may get ill easily. Last but not least, public facilities become relatively insufficient. A large number of people have to strike desperately for a place of a public area. Given a fixed number of public facilities, say a public library, a town park, a public toilet, individuals living in an overcrowded area can only be allocated with little resources. If there are no any corresponding regulations, resources may be unevenly distributed. Even worse, the extensive use of those properties can lead to a faster rate of deterioration which deprives other of having a better living environment and fair resources allocation. Never can the people obtain what they desire and have a ideal quality of life in a community if they are living in a high density, overcrowded area that have limited resources.Overcrowding derives a lot of problems that can worsen the overall general living standard, such as safety problem, hygiene problem and resources allocation. Being on of the metropolis of the world, Hong Kong is supposed to guarantee to her residents that nobody’s quality of life is going to be damaged because of the overcrowding of an area. Every individual has the right to have a comfortable, pleasant living environment.
