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calculations given in the preceding section. This is a considerably lower density than has been adopted for certain post-war rebuilding at Kowloon.
It is, however, very high compared with European standards when it is remembered that 200 persons per acre recommended for a very limited area in the London Plan, came in for very serious criticism from housing and townplanning reformers.
21 The figures which have been adopted (slightly modified from Mr. Owen's) are:-
7 persons per family
3 dwellings per building unit.
24 building units per acre.
45 per person.
3254 per family.
504 dwellings per acre.
persons
It was generally felt that this standard should be tried out in building before adopting it. Alternative figures for general distribution have been prepared for the reduction to 300 per acre. Before making a final decision of the target to be aimed at, it is strongly urged that this lower density should also be worked out, both in detail for housing accommodation and in its effect upon the total population which the area will take at this density. The Medical Officer's Report on his trial Survey, the incidence of Tuberculosis in high densities, and the Social Workers' and Welfare evidence should be fully investigated and co-related before a decision is arrived at as to whether the target should be 300 per net aore or 500: the former is of course preferable and every effort should be made to realise it.
an
22. In allocating acreage for housing purposes, a 'gross' acre must be taken in order to allow for all communal purposes e.g. Community Centre, Shops, Clinic, Schools, loo al playgrounds, (but not major open spaces): additional acre should be allowed for those purposes; thus the 500 persons per net acre (which includes house plots and roads) will be reduced to 285 persons per gross acre. It is, however, recognised that in existing overcrowded areas this target will be difficult to obtain, except under complete rebuilding which should eventually take place. Open spaces, local playgrounds and other Community needs must be found, as near as possible to the population to be served. Accordingly in the calculations, the reductions of existing populations is taken at 500, but the siting for new populations(with the exception of Hung Hom, which has open space nearby) is taken at 285.
23. This additional acre introduces the principle of 'Community' Planning which so far has not been developed at Hong Kong. It is acknowledged that it will take a long time to introduce a community structure into the monotonous building of 3 storey Tenements. But a beginning should be made so that any new publio or quasi public building can be located with reference to this structure: and, of course, it must be introduced from the start in the layout of new
areas.