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LAND AND HOUSING
The ever changing skyline of Central District saw the completion of the 34-storey Gammon House and the 25-storey Hutchison House, and most of the structural frame- work of the 37-storey new Alexandra House and the 42-storey AIA building. Many other projects were completed throughout the main urban areas and new townships.
New Building (Construction) Regulations came into full force in August, providing Hong Kong with its own structural design standards suited to its unique circumstances. Another development was the introduction of regular inspections by the Buildings Ordinance Office of all new private buildings completed after July 31, 1975. The object is to discourage illegal alterations by immediately requiring their removal. If the requirements are not met by a specified date, a contractor may be employed to carry out the work, at the subsequent expense of the owner. By the end of the year 1,072 notices had been served and it had been necessary to employ a contractor on 15 occasions. The Buildings Ordinance Office continued to take en- forcement action in other private buildings against reported illegal alterations giving rise to a serious structural, health or fire escape hazard.
The dangerous buildings division of the Buildings Ordinance Office continued to deal with the demolition or repair of dangerous buildings, the planned survey of potentially dangerous buildings, routine re-inspection of suspect buildings, and the repair of defective drainage systems. During the year some 149 buildings were closed and demolished, compared with 113 buildings in 1974; there were 453 repair notices served, compared with 519 the previous year; and 125 defective drainage notices were served.
Five appeals were lodged with the Appeals Tribunal against decisions made by the Building Authority under the Buildings Ordinance. Two of the cases were con- ceded by the authority, one decision by the authority was reversed, and one case was not within the jurisdiction of the tribunal. The fifth case had not been heard at the end of 1975. In addition, four disciplinary proceedings were initiated against one authorised person and three registered contractors.
Housing
Improved housing for an additional 1.5 million people living in sub-standard homes is the declared aim of the 10-year housing programme. It was announced in 1972, and a new Housing Authority was formed to implement and guide the new impetus. Since then the authority, with its executive arm the Housing Department, has been planning, building and managing new and existing housing estates. However, most of the current building work continues to be carried out by the architectural office of the Public Works Department.
About 23,000 flats have been completed and taken over by the Housing Authority since 1973, providing accommodation for 132,000 people. The programme is growing continually, and homes for more than 100,000 people are expected to be completed in 1976–7, rising to 200,000 a year in the 1980s.
At the end of 1975 there were 56 public housing estates under the management of the authority. These estates provide low-rent homes for more than 1.8 million people -43 per cent of the population.