Living in a coffin home | Insight | 360° VR Video

Summary

Hong Kong, known as Asia's world city, is a vibrant financial hub and densely populated area. However, behind its glitzy skyline lies a severe poverty crisis, with one in five residents living below the poverty line. The city's affordable housing shortage has led to the rise of 'coffin homes'—tiny, subdivided apartments where dozens of people live in cramped, claustrophobic conditions. Mr. Sammon Wang, a resident of one such home, reveals the harsh reality of his daily life in a space no larger than a coffin. He shares his experience of living in constant noise, unable to escape the discomfort of his environment.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hong Kong is a vibrant global city, known as the 'power of the Orient,' and serves as a major financial hub and port in Asia.
• 🏙️ Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated regions in the world, with over 6,000 people per square kilometer.
• 💔 Despite its glitzy skyline, Hong Kong faces significant poverty, with one in five people living below the poverty line.
• 📉 The city is also grappling with a growing wealth gap and an aging population, which complicates improvements in living conditions.
• 🏚️ Hong Kong is known for its severe lack of affordable housing, leading to overcrowded living situations.
• 💀 'Coffin homes' are a common form of housing where small apartments are subdivided into even tinier partitions for more people.
• 🚪 Over 20 people often share a single property that has limited facilities such as one bathroom and sink, with no kitchen for cooking.
• 📏 Mr. Sammon Wang, a resident of a coffin home, has a personal unit measuring only 1 meter by 2 meters—about the size of a coffin.
• 📺 Mr. Wang spends most of his time inside his small unit, watching television, which he leaves on 24 hours a day, even when asleep.
• ⛔ The claustrophobic living conditions in coffin homes have led to residents fearing silence and darkness, with many seeking constant distractions like TV.

Q & A

What is Hong Kong commonly referred to as?

Hong Kong is commonly referred to as 'Asia's world city' and 'the power of the Orient'.

What is the population density of Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated places in the world, with more than 6,000 people per square kilometer.

What is the poverty rate in Hong Kong?

One in five people in Hong Kong are living below the poverty line.

Why is affordable housing a major issue in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong faces a severe lack of affordable housing, and its rapidly aging population has exacerbated this problem.

What are 'coffin homes' in Hong Kong?

Coffin homes are small apartments that have been subdivided into even smaller partitions, often housing many people in cramped conditions.

How many people live in a typical coffin home?

In some cases, more than 20 people live within a single coffin home complex.

What is the size of Mr. Sammon Wang's personal unit in the coffin home?

Mr. Wang's personal unit measures just one meter by two meters, about the size of a coffin.

What is the living condition like in the coffin home shared by Mr. Wang?

The unit is cramped and claustrophobic, with minimal space for living, only a small mattress for sleeping or watching TV. There are shared toilets and a single sink.

What does Mr. Wang do to escape the cramped space of his coffin home?

Mr. Wang occasionally takes the 12 flights of stairs to the roof for a brief respite from the confined space.

Why does Mr. Wang keep his television on all the time?

Mr. Wang keeps his television on 24 hours a day, even while he sleeps, because he finds the silence and darkness of his coffin home unsettling and is afraid of being alone in the quiet.