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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT
impossible to find a place within the urban zone where the sound of building cannot be heard from somewhere; and it is more or less true.
1,451 new buildings, including 528 European-type and 737 Chinese-type residences and 186 other structures, were completed, an increase of 30% over 1954-
787 plans, involving the construction of 1,767 buildings, were submitted to the Building Authority during 1955. These included 536 European-type residences, 958 Chinese- type residences, 73 factories, 53 apartment buildings, 17 schools, 3 churches, 5 blocks of staff quarters, 33 housing schemes, 20 offices, 45 warehouses and stores, 2 clinics, a convalescent home, a hostel, a cinema, 17 service stations, a Civil Aid Service training centre, and an ambulance station.
There were also
also 849 plans covering rehabilitation, alterations and additions, mostly to domestic properties, 47 site development schemes, and
and a large number of plans covering minor constructional work, such as garages and temporary buildings. In addition, 3, 182 plans were submitted for reinforced concrete details and drainage works, and amendments to previously approved plans.
NEW TERRITORIES HOUSING
In the New Territories (apart from New Kowloon) the Buildings Ordinance does not apply, but control of build- ings is exercised by the New Territories Administration, along the lines of the Buildings Ordinance where town buildings are concerned, but with wide latitude in respect of village housing. No structure may be erected without the approval of the District Officer concerned.
In villages of traditional South Chinese construction the houses are built in rows one behind another, usually all facing the same way, the exact position of the village being determined according to principles of geomancy. A typical example of geomantic siting is for a village to be built on the lower slopes of a hill, facing rice-fields and sea, with hills extending like two arms on the right and left, and with a grove of trees, which by tradition must not be cut down, immediately behind the village. Often there is a pond, and more trees, across the front of the village.