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LAND AND HOUSING
private development may progress together; to ensure that adequate provision is made for schools, open spaces, medical facilities, communications and other necessary services; and to control the use and to stimulate the development of land.
Development densities in the present urban centres are as high as anywhere in the world and, with a possible increase in popula- tion from 3 to 4 million in the next 20 years, considerable new expansion must take place if these densities are not to rise even higher.
Planning activities are co-ordinated in the Planning Division of the Crown Lands and Surveys Office of the Public Works Depart- ment and are concerned mainly with the preparation of outline development plans. Plans for the New Territories are prepared at the request of the District Commissioner, who consults responsible local opinion in areas affected before individual plans are finally approved. Since 1953 plans have been prepared for thirty three planning districts in the urban areas. In addition many large scale layout plans have been prepared covering small portions of the urban areas and the New Territories. These plans are used as a guide in the sale of Crown land and the redevelopment of private land, but have no statutory effect except where approved in accordance with the Town Planning Ordinance.
The Town Planning Board consists of five official and three unofficial members, and is set up in accordance with the Town Planning Ordinance. The Board has, to date, published layouts and outline development plans for eleven districts: ten have been approved by the Governor in Council, and one refused. Approved plans cover the following localities: North Point, Chai Wan, Yau Ma Tei, Hung Hom, Ma Tau Kok, Kwun Tong Tsai Wan, Ngau Tau Kok, Cha Kwo Ling and North East Kowloon. This last locality, for which the development plan was approved in December 1960, covers an area of some 2 square miles centred on Diamond Hill. Large scale high density residential development is already under way in this area and the plan provides land for housing over 650,000 people. 70 acres are set aside for industry and a new commercial centre will be established. A three dimen- sional plan providing for cinemas, commercial and government buildings, and laying down development conditions, was approved
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