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LAND AND HOUSING
To cope with development in the New Territories and pinpoint individual land holdings, a wide coverage of up-to-date survey sheets on a scale of 100 feet to one inch is being completed. Most of the Colony is being mapped from air photos by Hunting Surveys Limited, the Crown Lands and Survey Office providing ground control and field checks on photo plots. These surveys form the basis for plans at other scales for planning, land records and other purposes which are compiled from photographic reductions. In addition, a small-scale air survey is being carried out to form a basis for revising the 1:25,000 scale maps of the Colony.
TOWN PLANNING
Town planning in Hong Kong includes the development of new industrial townships, the re-development of out-of-date urban localities and the gradual expansion of the urban areas. The basic aim, therefore, is to provide a framework within which public and private development may progress together; to ensure that adequate provision is made for industry and housing, for open spaces, public buildings, communications and social services; and to control the use and stimulate the development of land.
Since 1953, plans have been prepared for 38 planning districts in the urban areas. In addition many large-scale layout plans have been drawn up 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 re-development of private land, but have no statutory effect except where approved in accordance with the Town Plan- ning Ordinance.
The Town Planning Board consists of seven official and three unofficial members and operates under the Town Planning Ordin- ance. The board has, to date, published outline development and layout plans for 15 districts, 14 of which have been approved by the Governor in Council and one rejected. Approved plans cover the following areas: Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau, North Point, Chai Wan, Yau Ma Tei, Hung Hom, Ma Tau Kok, Kwun Tong Chai Wan, Ngau Tau Kok, Fung Wong Village, Cha Kwo Ling, north- east Kowloon, Sha Tin, the central district of Victoria, and Tsuen Wan and district. Plans of Sha Tin and the central district of Victoria are at present under statutory revision. A draft plan for