HOUSING AND LAND
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and 1980 led to an upsurge of racketeers attempting to build and sell huts for profit. The speed with which these huts are built and occupied led to a considerable expansion of squatter settlements, particularly outside areas which were planned for development. Patrols have now been expanded, and squatter hut racketeering has been successfully suppressed. During the year, the Crown Lands Ordinance was amended to increase substantially penalties against such racketeers and to place the burden of proof on an offender to show that he was not building with a view to sale. As a result of prosecutions, 130 people were convicted for illegal excavation or building on Crown land and fines of $200,000 were imposed. In the same period, 46 000 illegal structures or extensions were demolished.
Improvements to Squatter Areas
While it is policy to contain any new growth in squatting, the large, new squatter settlements that had been established in 1978–80 had led to the position where safety and environmental conditions in squatter areas, especially on the urban fringes, were highly unsatisfactory. This was highlighted by the fires and landslides during 1981 and 1982. A new division within the Housing Department was therefore established at the beginning of the year. Initially, firebreaks were cleared and hydrants installed through five major squatter concentrations. Smaller squatter areas were used to test the feasibility of installing metered supplies of water and proper drains and sewers to each hut, as well as communal latrines, bath-houses, and refuse collection services. As a result of the success of these pilot schemes, a comprehensive programme is now being implemented which is intended to improve conditions in those areas which will not be cleared for development for some time.
Town Planning
The main aim of town planning in Hong Kong is to provide a good living and working environment for its present and future population. To do this, it is necessary to ensure that the limited land resources are properly planned to meet the competing demands of housing, commerce, industry, transportation, recreation, education, medical and health, and other community facilities. This applies to both new development areas, such as Tuen Mun and Sha Tin, and the older congested urban districts, such as Yau Ma Tei and Western District, where the need for improvement is even more apparent.
The two bodies mainly responsible for town planning in Hong Kong are the Town Planning Board, chaired by the Secretary for Lands and Works, comprising 10 official and eight unofficial members, and the Land Development Policy Committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary and comprising 10 official members and one unofficial member.
Town plans, which can be broadly classified into two groups statutory and depart- mental - are prepared to guide future development and redevelopment. These ensure the provision of the required community facilities and public utility services, and control land use and building volume on individual sites.
Statutory plans for existing and potential urban areas are prepared under the provisions of the Town Planning Ordinance. The Town Planning Division of the Lands Department is responsible for the preparation and revision of statutory plans under the direction of the Town Planning Board. These statutory plans - outline zoning plans show areas set aside or zoned for residential, commercial, industrial, government, institutional and other purposes. They act as an important link between the government and the public, providing a guide to public and private investment by indicating the future broad pattern of land use,
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