-4-
51
12
It was decided to find out what was the maximum additional population that could be accommodated in Kowloon, allowing also for an area large enough to take the overspill from overcrowded areas. This is the opposite to the usual method which consists in making a forecast based upon local increase plus immigration. Where the ground is limited, it is at any rate useful to find out what is the maximum which it will take. In making these calculations there must be, of course, agreement upon the maximum densities permitted in existing developed and in proposed areas; this will be discussed in the next section on Housing.
13
From the somewhat tentative survey of the sites and working on an assumed density, it appears that Kowloon could absorb an additional population of about 500,000, as well as about 100,000 which should be taken out of the overcrowded areas of Hong Kong and Kowloon( and which con sequently in the above table are still included in the Million Urban population of Hong Kong and Kowloon.)
14
This would, therefore, give a grand total of two Million inhabitants for the Colony as a whole and would enable industrial and post expansion to be regulated accordingly.
'5
There are two factors which would vary this figure. Firstly if a lower Density standard were adopted: the land being strictly limited, the total population would equally be decreased. The Colony may be faced with this alternative between a larger population or a better standard of living. (It need hurdly be explained that in a town with unlimited land, e.g. Karachi, the lower density does not curtail population, but means a more extensive urban area covered.) The other varying factor, operating in the opposite direction, allows the urban population to pass beyond the mountain barrier into the New Territories. A New Town of 100,000 inhabitants could be developed with its own industrial trading estate, and increased road rail connection with the harbour. [bjections, other than those of Planning, were made to this suggestion]
It is very necessary to have some general figures of this sort in view, as the whole scale of improvements and provision of public services must be based upon them. Water Supply, for example, might become a limiting factor as severe as that of land: and the areas required for offices, shops, car parks, streets, open spaces etc., must be based upon some ultimate population.
17
The following table gives an indication as to where these additional 500,000 persons could be accommodated in and near Kowloon and the acreage required. It also provides for the rehousing of the 100,000 overspill from the overcrowded areas of Hong Kong and Kowloon. (The positions and their rough areas were worked out with the Town Planning Officer.)
(Table given on Page 5)