- G
14. This would, therefore, give a grand total of two million inhabitants for the Colony as a whole and would enable industrial and port expansion to be regulated accordingly.
15. 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 hardly 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 and rail connection with the harbour.
16. 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.)
18. Suggested location and acreage required in Kowloon to accommodate an additional population of 500,000 and an overspill of 100,000.
Population to be accommodated.
150 (1)
District.
Астев.
57,000
92,700
A. Hill District East of Ho Man Tin B. Kau Lung Tsai East
200
325
78,500
C. Kowloon Tong West
275
35,600
D. Castle Peak Road area
125
50,000
E. Kun Tong Reclamation
175
75,000
F. Hung Hom Reclamation
57,000
G. Gin Drinkers Bay
200
55,000
H. Tsun Wan
193
500,800
1,643
100,000
I. Overspill north of Kai Tak
350
600.800
Total Population & Acreage
1,993
Say:
600,000 on 2,000 acres.
(1) With the exception of Hung Hom, the net density of 500 persons per acre is reduced to 285 per gross acre (i,e. over the gross area): this is explained in the following section.
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-7.
3. HOUSING: DENSITY AND REDISTRIBUTION.
19. The housing conditions of Hong Kong present the most serious problem in the Colony. Density to the extent of 2,000 persons to the acre,() and not confined to small patches, in buildings which are of entirely obsolete design but which under present powers cannot be condemned, is something unknown in European countries,
20. After considering many alternative suggestions both as to numbers of the average family, floor area per person and number of building units per net acre, the type recommended by Mr. Owen, which gives 504 persons per net acre has been adopted for the purposes of making the calculations given in the preceding section. This is a considerably lower density than has been adopted for certain post-war rebuilding in Kowloon.
It is, however, very high compared with European standards when it is remember- ed 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 square feet per person.
315 square feet per family.
504 persons per acre.
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 on 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 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 acre or 500: the former is of course preferable and every effort should be made to realise it.
gross
22. In allocating land for housing purposes, a taken in order to allow for all communal purposes, e.g. community centres, acre must be shops, clinics, schools, and local playgrounds (but not major open spaces for which an additional acre per 1,000 persons should be allowed): thus, the 500 persons per net acre, which includes house space and roads only, will be reduced to 285 persons per gross acre. It is, however, recognised that in the 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 reduction of existing population is taken at 500, but the siting for new population (with the exception of Hung Hom which has an open space nearby) is taken at 285.
(1) An extreme but not unusual case given by Dr. Fehily shows 2,268 persons per acre.
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