From a small fishing and farming community 120 years ago, Aberdeen, on the south-west coast of Hong Kong Island has grown today to a thriving town of about 50,000 people. For the locality that gave the Colony its name-"Heung Kong," Cantonese for Fragrant Harbour - there is even greater deve- lopment planned for the future.
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ABERDEEN'S POPULATION EXPECTED TO RISE FROM 50,000 TO 200,000
AN outline plan has been approved
for the long-term development of Aberdeen, one of the Colony's main fishing ports on the south-west coast of Hong Kong Island.
The development plan, prepared by the Town Planning Board, is aimed at eventually transforming Aberdeen into a satellite town with a population of more than 200,000. The present population is approaching 50,000.
Although provision is made for the introduction of more light industries into the area to provide wider oppor- tunities for employment, fishing will still remain the basic industry.
TRADITIONAL FEATURES
The town planners have also in- dicated their intention of preserving, as much as possible, Aberdeen's tradi- tional features such as the boat population and the floating restau- rants which are important attractions for tourists.
The outline development plan en- visages a new town centre, which will be built on land to be reclaimed from the sea. This centre will provide the main nucleus and focal point of future activities in the town,
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The development plan covers area of 1,074 acres and includes, in addition to Aberdeen itself, the neigh- bouring island of Ap Lei Chau and a third of Brick Hill to the south.
Proposals for the development of the area were first drafted and published by the Town Planning
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Board in April, 1963. Leaders of the communities of Aberdeen and Ap Lei Chau were consulted to obtain local opinion and to find out their requirements.
The maintenance of an active fish- ing industry and the provision of amenities for the boat population have been important considerations which the Government planners have kept before them in all stages of the planning programme.
were
Only minor amendments necessary in the final version of the plan to meet suggestions put forward by various representative bodies.
Copies of the approved outline development plan with an explanatory statement are now on sale at $8 each at the Publications Counter, General Post Office.
OTHER MAIN PROPOSALS
Apart from the new Town Centre, the other main proposals in the out- line development plan are:
1. An improved typhoon shelter and centre for the fishing indus- try in Aberdeen harbour, also known as "Shek Pai Wan";
2. A main industrial area on land to be reclaimed by filling in Staunton Creek:
3. An anchorage for pleasure craft and floating restaurants in Aber- deen Channel; and
4. A road tunnel to provide faster and easier access to Aberdeen
from the north side of Hong Kong Island.
Government has already started to carry out the reclamations covered by the plan but these will still need a number of years to complete.
The largest of these reclamations about 17 acres
will be at the eastern end of Aberdeen Harbour to provide a site for the Town Centre, This reclamation will also form an artificial isthmus joining Aberdeen to Ap Lei Chau.
CREEK TO GO
Another area of just over ten acres near the Wholesale Fish Market is already being reclaimed while the whole of Staunton Creek will be filled in.
A breakwater of some 1,380 feet in length is being constructed at the western entrance to Aberdeen Har- bour. The area protected by this breakwater will be used as a working port for fishing craft.
The Town Centre will include a commercial centre and sites for a bus terminus and for Government pur- poses. The Town Planning Board recommends that the upper floors of the commercial buildings should be devoted to residential development.
An increase 111 the number of factories in the area is envisaged and several industrial zones are provided to cope with future expansion. The principal industrial area is sited in the newly-reclaimed Staunton Creek, with a possible extension later further east.
THE HONG KONG & FAR EAST EUILDER-VOLUME 19, NUMBER 2
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