No_3_October_1961 — Page 55

CENTRAL HONG KONG PLAN

facilitating the Garden Road junc- tion arrangements.

Morrison Street In order to complete the ring it is essential that an adequate north-south link be pro- vided on the west and it is proposed that Morrison Street be widened and extended for this purpose. Certain private land is affected by this pro- posal and it is recommended that this be resumed when required.

On car parking the report rejects the view that new multi-storey build- ings and places of entertainment should be required to provide space for parking in proportion to the demand created by users of the buildings.

It accepts the view that parking would have to be provided in asso- ciation with the development of new lots, directly by the Government on Crown land or by kerb-side parking. A degree of subsidy would be re- quired but must be kept to a mini-

muni.

on

Recommendations are based the principles that this responsibility should be accepted by the Govern. ment, that it should be met by the erection of multi-storeyed car parks, that all public parking should be paid for, and that parking should be at strategic points and differential charges made to assist in reduction of traffic congestion.

The Board's proposals briefly are that the existing parks at the Star Ferry and City Hall be retained, the park on the old Murray Parade Ground be confirmed (giving accom- modation for 1,300 cars) and that new parks accommodating 6,800 cars be provided.

Provision is made for a new Post Office Building for the Island in the Reclamation precinct immediately west of the Star Ferry and it is recommended that the existing Post Office Building should be demolished and the site sold except for the area required for the widening of Pedder Street.

A new Marine Department build- ing will also be built on Stage IV of the Reclamation as implementa- tion of the road and traffic recom- mendations will mean the demolition of the existing building which is out of date and due for replacement.

It is recommended too that space for a new fire station is this building should it be found there will be too little room in the existing Fire Brigade building for future require. ments. In that event, it is recom- mended, the existing building should be demolished and the area turned into a public urban square leading from the Vehicular Ferry to the city centre and to a rebuilt Central Market.

It is recommended that the Murray Barracks site should be reserved, for many reasons. for Government use, at least for the next few years.

Should it be found that all the area is not required for Government use the lower, and more valuable, portion would be available for sale for commercial use if Government building were to begin at the upper portions.

The Board does not recommend the removal of the Supreme Court or the Cricket Club from their pre- sent sites.

On the financial aspect the report says that a total of 15.7 acres will become available for sale for com- mercial or residential purposes over the next five to seven years while a further 1.7 acres adjoining the plan- ning area will also be freed for sale during this period.

In addition a portion of the 7.3 acres provisionally reserved for Government offices in the Murray Barracks area may also become available for commercial develop-

ment.

"It might also be noted," says the report, "that the buildings planned for the reclamation and dockyard areas including both private and Government will, if erected, provide a total floor area of over 12 million square feet, at an average plot ratio of 8.4 and a floor space index of 5.8. while still allowing by means of suitable design and layout a reson- able degree of public amenity.

"This compares with an average plot ratio of 7.7 and a floor space index of 5.4 for the triangular block bounded by Pedder Street, Queen's Road Central and Des Voeux Road Central.

"Discounting for the present the Murray Barracks land the area for disposal is 17.4 acres or 757,944 square feet and if sold at an average price of $260 per square foot (a not unreasonable and possibly most con- servative figure) this will result in a revenue of about $200 million. This equals the cost of formation and compensation payments for land ac quired."

Copies of the Report. including plans and photographs, cost $20.

CROP STORAGE IN TROPICS

ECOND of the Tropical Building Studies, prepared by the Build- ing Research Station, Garston, Eng- land. is Buildings For the Storage of Crops in Warm Climates, copies of which can be obtained from H.M. Stationery Office. London, at 4s. 6d. each.

causes of de-

The Study covers terioration and their control; climate;

building design; building materials

and construction; and describes

-

methods adopted in some modern stores in Africa, Singapore and Cyprus.

In summarising the Survey con- cludes that a well designed store should have smooth, crack-free in- ternal surfaces and no unnecessary cavities and projections. It should be easy to seal for fumigation. Hermetic stores need special design.

Excessive moisture should be con- trolled by adopting dry methods of

THE HONG KONG & FAR EAST BUILDER — VOLUME 16, NUMBER 3

construction, by sound wall and roof construction, by the use of vapour barriers, by refrigerant air-condition- ing, and by moisture absorbent materials.

Insulating materials for ceilings recommended are aluminium foil. wood-wool and lightweight concrete slabsi, corkboard, fibreboard, water- repellent insulating plasterboard, as- bestos board and foamed polystyrene.

53

Page 55Page 56