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HOUSING AND LAND
of 407 421 people, an increase of 24 530 over the previous year. Some own several properties throughout the territory, but most are owners or part-owners of small, indi- vidual flats.
Urban Renewal and Environmental Improvement
The purchase continued of privately-owned property zoned for open space and govern- ment, institutional and community uses in the areas covered by the town plans for Western, Wan Chai and Yau Ma Tei. During the year 10 properties were acquired at a cost of $10 million and 28 properties were cleared and demolished. All eligible tenants were offered rehousing and given ex-gratia allowance upon clearance. The cleared sites, in most cases, will be developed and managed by the Urban Council as open space and park lands for the benefit of those living in crowded areas.
The land sales programme for the Urban Renewal Pilot Scheme in an area bounded by Queen's Road Central, Queen's Road West, Hollywood Road, Shing Wong Street and Gough Street was completed. Accumulated revenue derived from the auctioned sites within the scheme was $625.5 million.
To assist the Hong Kong Housing Society's Urban Improvement Scheme, the govern- ment resumed 10 properties in Wun Sha Street, Causeway Bay and seven properties in Ap Lei Chau Main Street, Ap Lei Chau. The Housing Society plans to build at each site a high-rise domestic block over a podium with ground floor shops and first floor community facilities. Negotiations with former owners on the amount of compensation for their resumed properties are progressing. All eligible former occupiers affected by the resump- tion are being rehoused and given ex-gratia compensation to assist them in resettling in their new homes.
Acquisition for Public Purposes
When private property needed for the implementation of public works projects cannot be acquired by negotiation, the use of compulsory powers becomes necessary. Property is then acquired under either the Crown Lands Resumption Ordinance or the Mass Transit Railway (Land Resumption and Related Provisions) Ordinance. These ordinances provide for the payment of compensation based on market values at the date of reversion. If agreement cannot be reached on the amount payable, either party can refer the case to the Lands Tribunal for determination. In the new town areas of the New Territories, acquisition is usually effected by a system involving the payment of cash compensation in respect of at least half of the land acquired, and the issue of land exchange entitlements in respect of the remainder. These entitlements give the landowner an opportunity to participate in development.
The compulsory surrender of marine rights, usually required for reclamation projects or the grant of pier leases, is effected under the Public Reclamation and Works Ordinance or the Foreshores and Sea Bed Ordinance as appropriate. These ordinances provide for the lodging of objections to a scheme and for the payment of compensation where private rights are affected.
Public works affecting existing highways but not involving the acquisition of private land are dealt with under the Streets (Alteration) Ordinance, which also has similar provisions for the lodging of objections and the payment of compensation.
During 1981, more than $16 million was paid in compensation for land and buildings acquired, either under compulsory powers or by agreement, in the urban areas of Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.