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the City was erected in the early days of the Colony, when town planning was little practiced even in Europe, the conditions to-day are a heritage, the elimination of which involves immense sums of money, and probably considerable opposition if attempted on a large scale.
7. Generally many of the old houses suffer from defects which are attributable to the Ordinance of that time. Passed in 1903 the measure was framed to meet existing conditions, both structurally and hygienically as they were then understood and practiced. But, viewed in the light of modern practice and knowledge, many of its provisions are found to be lax and the following are the main resultant defects:—
Note:-
(a) The open space is insufficient, especially with regard to earlier houses, i.e. those built on land purchased prior to 1903.
(b) Latrine accommodation is insufficient.
(c) Staircases are too narrow and steep, and often unlighted.
(d) Means of escape in case of fire insufficient.
(b) In the case of new buildings where owners are able to provide by means of a well or otherwise an adequate water supply, flush sanitation is now usually provided on each floor. This is one of the most important steps forward in sanitation that has been achieved.
(c) and (d) have been provided for by recent amendments of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance, which call for any new staircases in tenement houses to be of fire-proof construction, with alternate means of egress to all floors more than twenty-three feet above the footpath. The remarks above apply more particularly to the housing of the wage-earning Asiatics. The housing for the wealthier classes is provided for by modern flats three or four storeys high, and in the suburban areas by detached or semi-detached houses usually two storeys high which may be occupied separately or as flats.
8. A new Buildings Ordinance is being drafted, which will eliminate many of the present defects and demand a higher standard generally, whilst the building owners are themselves realising the advantages of modern constructional methods. Town planning improvements are being carried out wherever possible in Hong Kong whilst the development of Kowloon is proceeding according to a definite lay-out.
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the City was erected in the early days of the Colony, when town planning was little practiced even in Europe, the conditions to-day are a heritage, the elimination of which involves immense sums of money, and probably considerable opposition if attempted on a large scale.
7. Generally many of the old houses suffer from defects which are attributable to the Ordinance of that time. Passed in 1903 the measure was framed to meet existing conditions, both structurally and hygienically as they were then understood and practiced. But, viewed in the light of modern practice and knowledge, many of its provisions are found to be lax and the following are the main resultant defects:—
Note:-
(a) The open space is insufficient, especially with regard to earlier houses, i.e. those built on land purchased prior to 1903.
(b) Latrine accommodation is insufficient.
(c) Staircases are too narrow and steep, and often
unlighted.
(d) Means of escape in case of fire insufficient.
(b) In the case of new buildings where owners are able to provide by means of a well or otherwise an adequate water supply, flush sanitation is now usually provided on each floor. This is one of the most important steps forward in sanitation that has been achieved.
(c) and (d) have been provided for by recent amendments of the Public Health and Buildings Ordinance. which call for any new staircases in tenement houses to be of fire-proof construction, with alternate means of egress to all floors more than twenty three feet above the footpath. The remarks above apply more particularly to the housing of the wage-earning Asiatics. The housing for the wealthier classes is provided for by modern flats three or four storeys high, and in the suburban areas by detached or semi-detached houses usually two storeys high which may be occupied separately or as flats.
8. A new Buildings Ordinance is being drafted, which will eliminate many of the present defects and demand a higher standard generally, whilst the building owners are themselves realising the advantages of modern constructional methods. Town planning improvements are being carried out wherever possible in Hong Kong whilst the development of Kowloon is proceeding according to a definite lay-out.
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