To Kwa Wan
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (March 2007) |
To Kwa Wan (traditional Chinese: 土瓜灣; simplified Chinese: 土瓜湾; pinyin: Tǔguāwān; Jyutping: tou2 gwaa1 waan1) is a bay and an area of the eastern shore of Kowloon peninsula. The area is part of urban Hong Kong, and is adjacent to Hok Yuen, Hung Hom, Ma Tau Wai and Ma Tau Kok. Administratively, the area belongs to the Kowloon City District of Kowloon.
To Kwa Wan is a mixed residential and commercial area, and is located to the west of the old Kai Tak Airport.
Most residential dwellings in the area are mid-rise flats of 10 or less floors, built in the mid-20th century. Newer buildings being built in or around To Kwa Wan are taller than 10 stories. Those flats built along major roads like Ma Tau Wai Road have commercial space on the ground floor.
Buildings along To Kwa Wan Road are mainly occupied by industry.
In the 1970s public housing estates were built in the area to provide relief in other crowded areas of Kowloon.
Poor building standards and ageing have been highlighted by crumbling facades which have hurt or killed people in the area. The demolition of older flats have given means for developers to acquire land in To Kwa Wan to build newer and more profitable residential flats.[1][2]
Green Space
Alongside high-density residential and commercial zoning, there are a few green spaces in To Kwa Wan:
- Hoi Sam Park - park facing Kowloon Bay
- Ko Shan Road Park
- To Kwa Wan Recreation Ground
Hoi Sham Island, formerly located in the adjacent bay, was incorporated into the peninsula due to extensive reclamation, becoming Hoi Sham Park.
Transportation
There only a few main roads in the area. All other roads are side streets servicing local residents. To Kwa Wan Road and Ma Tau Wai Road form a V-shaped corridor, while the East Kowloon Corridor is an elevated highway passing through the middle of To Kwa Wan.
The Kowloon City Pier Bus Terminus to the north services some local bus routes.
When the Sha Tin to Central Link is built, To Kwa Wan station will serve the area. However this line will result in expropriation and demolition of many residential flats.
See also
- Hoi Sham Island
- Kowloon Bay
- Grand Waterfront
- Celestial Heights
- Cattle Depot Artist Village
- 13 Streets
References
- ^ "Magazine 94 the collapse of to kwa wan". Squarefoot.com.hk. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
- ^ "Travel in Kowloon > To Kwa Wan". Thaiworldview.com. Retrieved 2016-12-11.
