ent Plan
17 acres. It will be the largest of several reclamations which Govern- ment proposes to carry out as part of the development project. which will be spread over many years.
The draft layout plan provides for the whole of Staunton Creek to be filled in and for the reclamation of another area of just over ten acres near the Wholesale Fish Market.
The Government town planners estimate that the population of the Aberdeen area and the island of Ap Lei Chau will increase from the present total of 40,000 to 90.000 by 1965 with the completion of the two Resettlement Estates and the low- cost housing areas to the west of the Police Training School.
The area is expected eventually to have a population exceeding 200.000.
The purpose of the outline development plan is to
is to maintain Aberdeen as one of the Colony's main fishing ports. Aberdeen at present is the home base for some 5.000 vessels of all types.
Provision is also made in the outline plan for coping with future industrial expansion. At the same time, it is the intention of the town planners to preserve, as much as possible, the picturesque features of Aberdeen with its boat population and floating restaurants. as a tourist attraction.
Improved Typhoon Shelter
pro-
Apart from the proposed new Town Centre, the other main posals put forward by the Town Planning Board are:
THE HONG KONG & FAR EAST BUILDER
(1) an improved typhoon shelter and centre for the fishing fishing industry in Aberdeen Harbour. also known "Shek Pai Wan":
as
(2) a main industrial area located on newly-reclaimed Staunton Creek:
(3) an anchorage for pleasure craft and floating restaurants in Aberdeen Chamnel; and
(4) a
road tunnel to provide faster and easier access to Aberdeen from the north side
of Hong Kong Island.
The outline development plan is being exhibited until the end of June at the Crown Lands and Survey Office of the Public Works Depart- ment and in the Government Branch Offices at Farm Road. Kowloon.
After this. the Town Planning Board will consider all objections and make such amendments as are considered necessary before submit. ting the development plan to the Governor-Council for approval.
Local Opinion Sought
To meet the requirements of the people of Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau. the planning experts consulted leaders of the two communities in order to obtain local opinion as to the kind of town facilities and boat anchorages they want.
The future Town Centre will be- come the main focal point of the area, situated as it will be on the isthmus to be formed by the re- clamation between Aberdeen and and Ap Lei Chau.
A detailed scheme for the site will be prepared after the outline plan is approved by the Governor-in-Coun- cil.
It will provide a commercial cen tre and sites for a bus terminus and for Government purposes. The Town Planning Board recommends that the upper floors of the commercial buildings should be devoted to residential development.
A breakwater of some 1,380-foot in length is to be constructed at the
VOLUME 18, NUMBER 1
western entrance to Aberdeen Har- bour. The area thus enclosed by the breakwater will be used as a work- ing port for fishing craft.
Industrial Sites
At present the majority of the people in Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau are directly or indirectly dependent upon the fishing industry, but it is likely this will change in the next few years.
It is expected that the number of factories in the area will increase mainly because of the large labour market.
Of the industrial areas shown in the outline plan. the principal one will be sited in the newly-reclaimed Staunton Creek. with a possible extension later further east.
Sites have been set aside in Aber- deen Harbour for trades which cater to the needs of the fishing industry. Some ancillary industry is expected on Ap Lei Chau and an area for boat building yards has therefore been provided in Aberdeen Channel.
Provision is made in the plan for open spaces and recreational areas, particularly in the residential zones. Some sites to the south of Staunton Creek have already been developed for institutional use. Further sites are planned to the west of Brick Hill.
Public buildings shown on the plan included fire and police stations, clinics. hospitals and temples.
Sites have been carmarked for schools to cater for an estimated population of 200.000.
Road Tunnel
If the development programme is to be fully implemented, an improve- ment in existing road communica- tions will be essential to cope with the increased flow of people and goods to and from Aberdeen.
The only practical way of achiev ing this, in the opinion of the Town. Planning Board, is to construct a road tunnel.
(Continued on page 98)
87