news review
One flat in every 26 minutes
Singapore's Housing Development Board (HDB) intends to build 100.000 units from 1971 to 1975 - or at the rate of one unit every 26 minutes. The pace of work is presently affected by shortage of labour and rising costs of construction materials, but these problems are expected to be overcome by 1973.
So far, the HDB has built more than 125.000 units, which accommodate 700.000 people or about 35% of Singapore's population. When the target is achieved, HDB flats will house 1.2 million people by the end of 1975.
Despite the rise in land and building costs, the HDB has not raised the rents, service and inain- tenance charges, or selling prices of its flats. But it has rejected the idea of selling shop space to occu- pants because HDB thinks such sales will compli- cate the control of their business. On the technical side, HDB is presently studying the feasibility of using industrial water for flushing toilets. It will involve the installation of a dual-pipe system.
Gammon (Hong Kong) expands overseas
Gammon (H.K.) has bought 65% of the shares in Milne Construction, an Auckland-based building and civil engineering group. The deal is subject to the approval of the New Zealand Government Re- serve Bank.
Last year, the two companies jointly won a 25% share in the contract to build the Rarotonga Airport on the Cook Islands. Gammon (H.K.) is currently building roads in the New Hebrides and is planning to expand its activities in the South Paci- fic. The idea is to employ the knowhow of Milne Construction in setting up a subsidiary in the New Hebrides, with Gammon (H.K.) holding 65% of its equity as well.
Investigations into quality of concrete
Mr Szeto Wai, an unofficial member of the Legislative Council, Hong Kong, last month in- quired about the building authority's investigations into reports of sub-standard concrete being used in the construction of buildings.
He asked: "Will Government confirm that a number of buildings newly completed or presently under construction have recently been subjected to investigations by the Building Authority in respect of the quality of the concrete in their construction and, if so, would Government give the total number of buildings involved and the results of investigations?”
In his reply, the Director of Public Works, Mr J.J. Robson said: “I confirm that a number of private buildings have been subjected to detailed
Toa Payoh, the largest township in Singapore, accommodates 100,000 people
Far East BUILDER. September 1971
7
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.