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HOUSING AND LAND
It has been estimated that in the rural parts of the New Territories some 300,000 people will ultimately need some form of assistance within the housing programme. Planning is already well advanced for rural communities on the islands of Cheung Chau and Peng Chau, and at Mui Wo and Tai O on the island of Lantau. The same applies to Sham Tseng, Tan Kwai Tsuen, Lau Fau Shan, Sai Kung and Sha Tau Kok on the mainland. In all these townships, development is related to rural public housing estates.
Private Building
Hong Kong's improved economic performance in 1976 resulted in tangible evidence of rising capital investment in industry and commerce, which in turn generated increased activity in private building. Work was begun on a number of development schemes-the designs for which had previously been left on the drawing board to await a more favourable financial and economic climate.
There were 807 new building proposals submitted for approval during the year, compared with 658 in 1975. The total cost of new buildings completed was $1,730 million, a decrease of 8.5 per cent compared with 1975.
Among notable building projects completed were the 37-storey Alexandra House office building in Central District on Hong Kong Island and, on the southwest coast of the island, most of the major buildings and the cable car system at Ocean Park-one of the largest oceanarium complexes of its kind in the world. Substantial development was also completed on Tsing Yi Island, where the Dow Chemical complex and many oil storage tanks were constructed. On The Peak, the Strawberry Hill and Kellett View high class residential projects were completed.
Plans were approved for the new 63-storey Hopewell Centre office building in Wan Chai, which will be the tallest building in Hong Kong. Many other projects for residential, commercial and industrial uses were approved, including a 25-storey office block to replace the old China Building in Central District. Constructed in the 1920s, this was one of the first buildings allowed to go higher than four storeys.
Several development schemes by the Mass Transit Railway Corporation were processed, the largest being for what is in effect a small town to house 25,000 people over the Kowloon Bay depot. Throughout the year the mass transit unit of the Buildings Ordinance Office carried out examinations of existing buildings adjacent to railway construction sites to make sure of their safety.
An advanced stage was reached in the planning of a middle-income housing development at Pok Fu Lam to accommodate 18,000 families. The scheme includes schools, play areas and full community facilities, and it represents a major contribu- tion to the housing effort by the private sector.
The Priorities Committee of the Buildings Ordinance Office continued its efforts to ensure that financially viable private development schemes that are in the public interest are awarded priority in the processing of submissions. A total of 44 schemes received priority, compared with 37 priorities granted in 1975.