HOUSING AND LAND
95
In west Kowloon, the Public Works Department completed six blocks of 2,400 flats in Upper Pak Tin Estate. This enabled the continuation of redevelopment of the Housing Authority's oldest Mark I estate, Shek Kip Mei, which was built in 1954-8. More than half the population of Shek Kip Mei Estate, or 33,000 people, have now been rehoused in improved self-contained flats. Nearby, 704 new flats in the second phase of Nam Shan Estate enabled other families to move from the second oldest Mark I Tai Hang Tung Estate (1955-6). The completion and occupation of a new commercial centre in this estate mark an important milestone in the authority's ambitious redevelopment programme, which will eventually remodel and completely change the environment of the 12 early estates. Meanwhile, however, the installation of water supplies and sanitary facilities to individual flats, the conversion of roof-tops to domestic flats, and a number of environmental improvements are making these older estates better places in which to live.
Housing in the New Towns
However, the bulk of public housing to be built over the next 10 years will be in the three new towns of Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin and Tuen Mun in the New Territories. While these three new towns are comprehensively planned as self-contained communities, the authority's new estates are also integrated neighbourhoods with a full range of schools, kindergartens, playgrounds and large shopping areas, as well as community and welfare centres, government offices and other facilities to meet the daily require- ments of residents.
Tsuen Wan New Town already contains 13 Housing Authority estates, with a further six under construction. On Tsing Yi Island the second phase of Cheung Ching Estate, with 1,460 flats in two twin-tower blocks, was completed. Further phases of this very large residential complex are still under construction. Work on Cheung Shan (Elephant Hill) Estate, attractively situated in the north Tsuen Wan hills, was nearing completion. Below Cheung Shan Estate, in the valley close to the future Tsuen Wan Mass Transit Railway terminus, Shek Wai Kok Estate was taking shape.
In Sha Tin, the reclamation of Tide Cove is dominated by the two linked estates of Lek Yuen (completed in 1976) and Wo Che, which is currently under construction. A further nine Housing Authority estates are under construction or are being planned for Sha Tin New Town.
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In Tuen Mun, 2,263 flats in Tai Hing Estate and a commercial centre were handed over by the Public Works Department during the year, completing the first phase. The flats in the three dominating 30-storey cruciform blocks in this estate were in con- siderable demand, both from applicants from urban areas as well as local families being rehoused in connection with the new town development. Another three blocks in Tai Hing Estate were under construction. Elsewhere in Tuen Mun New Town, two further estates were being built. Tuen Mun will eventually contain nine Housing Authority estates.
During the year, construction work also got under way on estates in the market towns of Tai Po, Yuen Long and Shek Wu Hui, as well as rural estates at Mui Wo and Tai O on Lantau Island.