MARINE DEPARTMENT LIBRARY
water), but some doubt has now arisen whether the summer flow will be adequate. The matter is still under investigation.
SO UK ESTATE
(Chairman-architect: Mr. Eric Cumine, F.R.I.B.A.)
The So Uk Estate, at Cheung Sha Wan, Kowloon, is the Authority's third scheme, and its most ambitious to date. It is probably one of the largest domestic housing developments ever carried out, as an inte- grated whole, in the Far East, with an estimated capital cost of over $50m.
In August 1955, Mr. Eric Cumine, F.R.I.B.A., was appointed to undertake the preparation of a master lay-out plan for the site, which is about 18.79 acres in extent, to supervise site formation work, and to co-ordinate the work of a consortium of architects who will develop various portions of the site. A survey of the site was completed in November 1955.
A number of alternative schemes prepared by the architect were considered by the Authority: that tentatively adopted, in April 1956, as utilizing the site to the best advantage, envisages the construction of over 5,000 flats, to house about 28,000 persons, in 12- or 16-storey blocks that is a density of about 1,450 persons to the acre. Included in the estate are two 18-classroom primary schools, a number of shops, an estate office, and plenty of recreational and open space. The site is fairly easy to develop, with a gentle slope extending to the northern boundary; cross-contour building can therefore be avoided except in one place, and the need for difficult and expensive site formation is thus largely obviated. Most of the blocks will face south, and as the site slopes from south to north the blocks will for the most part be on differing levels, a circumstance which is favourable to the provision of very adequate light and air in spite of the high density aimed at.
PROGRESS
General proposals for development of the site have been approved by Government, and agreement given for a loan of $50m from the Development Fund to carry out the project, interest being charged at 5% per annum. The Secretary of State has approved a grant of up to £88,875 ($1,422,000) from the Colonial Development and Welfare Fund to meet three-quarters of the cost of site formation, the balance to be met by the Authority.
13