XN000022-1976-03-12 — Page 10

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REDEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME ANNOUNCED

The Hong Kong Housing Authority is to begin redevelopment of

overcrowded housing estates in the Chai Wan district this year.

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This was announced today by Mr. Brook Bernacchi, a member of the

Housing Authority, at the official opening of a public exhibition

The Changing Face of Chai Wan", at the district's community centre.

Mr. Bernacchi said: "The Housing Authority proposes this year

to commence the redevelopment of the Chai Wan (West) Estate as part of its comprehensive long-term programme for the modernisation of all Mark I

and Mark II estates in Hong Kong. Details of this particular scheme will

be announced shortly by the Housing Department."

'Mr. Bernacchi also said: "As a reflection of the growth of Chai

Wan it is worth noting that between 1966 and 1976 the population of the

district increased from 68,000 to 104,000 persons and that nearly 80 per

cent of the population now lives in public housing.

"It must be admitted that the first public housing in the form

of cottage areas and six storey Mark I & II resettlement blocks is, by

modern standards, now most unsatisfactory. It must also be acknowledged

that overcrowding is a problem of significant proportions.

"It must be recognised that step by step there has been a

progression towards the creation of a better environment in Chai Wan brought

about by the concerted efforts of the Housing Authority, the Urban Council,

various Government departments, local community associations, welfare

agencies and private developers. Symbolic of this progress is the recently

completed Hing Wah estate which is now being occupied by families for whom

/the hope

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