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5. In comparing Hong Kong with many other places two special characteristics of its problems at once emerge, neither of them perhaps unique, but each present to a highly intense degree: firstly the shortage of land for any sort of urban expansion or quarter: secondly an unlimited reservoir of possible immigration. The combined presence of these two
characteristics does indeed produce something like a unique result. Not to waste time on too elaborate comparisons, it may be remarked of the western countries such as England, that if one centre of population becomes too great, it may or should be possible to encourage migration within the land and so regroup the population (this is what is proposed on a regional scale for London). On the one hand land is available, on the other, the population (allowing for statistical increase or the contrary) can be anticipated. In the case of a nearer parallel, for example Ceylon, some attempt can be made to regulate the size of the Capital in relation to the rest of the island. But there does not appear to be any limit (sic) to the number of people who could pour into Hong Kong from the mainland and beyond the New Territories. Thus it has been stated that if, on the analogy of the Greater London plan, new towns were to be built on the limited suitable land of Kowloon or on the much less limited land of the New Territories, they would at once be filled up from this unplunibed reservoir on the mainland. The New York solution-where space is short, being limited to a peninsula, but where there is plenty of adjacent land available of building skyscrapers for business and population as well, does not commend itself for Hong Kong. The only policy as to numbers appears to be an artificially restricted population and some form of rigid transference from over-crowded areas into new quarters as and when they are prepared to receive them. There must be also a rigidly enforced standard of maximum density and imposed limitation upon industrial expansion. Both these will be difficult to enforce the population has become used to densities which, over large areas (not in small black spots) must be some of the highest in the world: industry is seeking a refuge in Hong Kong and it is hard to deny it entrance. As a recent writer has said 'the prosperity of this tiny British Colony stands out like a beacon. This is mainly due to the fact that the stability of British administration has afforded a refuge to commercial interests which have fled from the chaos prevailing elsewhere.' (1) The same tendency to flock to Hong Kong exists for people as well. Here then is the problem: to provide for this immigrant prosperity with so little space to offer it.
6. It has been assumed throughout this Report that the major urban activities should be confined to Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, and that the location of the Defence Services should have a preference for the island. The natural barrier of mountains North of Kowloon reinforces the former: and both preferences are related to the fundamental fact, which must not be lost sight of, that the Colony in its chief function is an entrepot port. PART II-GENERAL PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPMENT. 1. THE HARBOUR.
7. One of the first objects of harbour proposals for town-planning is to obtain more land without impairing the Fort. Sir David Owen's report is here a useful guide, 2 but his recommendations have not all been followed.
8. The head and sides of Kowloon Bay are straightened, on the west as far as Tai Wan, on the east to Cha Kwo Ling, with a boat building yard at Ma Yau Tong. Hung Hom Bay is reclaimed, leaving only a harbour
(1) A. S. Comyns Carr, K.C., Times-20th July, 1948.
(2) Also of course the development Report of 1947.
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entrance for Hung Hom. On the west of Kowloon, Yau Ma Ti Typhoon harbour is filled in, as well as the rectangular area at Cheung Sha Wan. Extensive reclamations are also possible at Gin Drinkers Bay and Tsun Wan These combined reclamations on the Kowloon side of the harbour would give a very considerable increase of territory. Much less reclamation is possible on Hong Kong Island itself. Starting from the western end, there is a narrow strip at Kennedy Town, the bay from Yaumati Ferry to Murray Road (in front of Chater Road) and the more debatable strip along the front of Connaught Road. There is next the Naval Dock, Causeway Bay, and a narrow strip east of North Point. A small reclamation in Shaukiwan bay has also been suggested, but requires further investigation.
9. Three new Typhoon shelters will be required by these coastal changes: they have been tentatively located (a) at the head of Kowloon Bay (in front of Kai Tak) (b) in front of Sham Shui Po (c) in front of Causeway Bay (reclaimed), using Kellet Island.
10. New piers are proposed at Kowloon Docks (absorbing the old Coaling Camber) and on the east side of Kowloon Bay at Ngau Tau Kok. The rebuilding of the Connaught Road piers which is due on structural grounds, is debatable, not from the Harbour angle, but by reason of the congestion and mixed zoning in the area behind. It has been contended that much of the coastal trade could be located elsewhere; this requires further investigation, Up to Western Street the godowns, shops, hotels and tenements are completely mixed and almost indistinguishable in building. West of Western Street the godown and commercial element predominates. Somewhere on this north coast a coal depot should be located.
2. POPULATION, SIZE AND GROUPING.
11. If the possible population-given unlimited land-is an incalculable quantity, the existing number of inhabitants is sufficiently difficult to calculate, concentrated on a limited area. It may, however, be assumed that at the beginning of 1948 the population of the Colony was as follows:-
Normal Urban Population of Hong Kong and Kowloon Floating Junk and Sampan
New Territories
1,000,000
200,000
300,000
1,500,000
12. It was decided to find out what was the maximum additional population that could be accommodated in and near Kowloon, allowing also for an area large enough to take the overspill from overcrowded areas. This is the opposite of 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. making these calculations there must be, of course, agreement upon the maximum densities permitted in existing developed areas and in areas proposed for development; this will be discussed in the next section on Housing.
In
B. From a 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 consequently in the above table are still included in the million Urban population of Hong Kong and Kowloon).
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