Resettlement_Department_Annual_Report_1961-1962 — Page 7

CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

THROUGHOUT the urban areas of Hong Kong, tens of thousands of shacks and shanties cling to the hillsides and rooftops and, at lower levels, cover such vacant land as remains between the towering blocks of multi-storey buildings on either side of the harbour. The greater number of these dwellings have been illegally erected on Crown Land by squatters, most of whom are immigrants from China of the past ten years. These people numbering over half a million, and unable to find any alternative place to live, have been tolerated until such time as their structures can be cleared.

2. It is the task of the Resettlement Department both to prevent the extension of these squatter areas and gradually to clear those who are occupying land which is required for development. Many factors in- fluence the prosperity of Hong Kong but the basic prerequisite to all social and economic development is land. Land for the schools, hospitals, the tenements and factories required to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding population. In the year 1961-62, 388.22 acres were cleared for development.

3. These clearances involved 70,753 people (including 11,439 cleared from Cottage Areas required for development). Clearances on this scale present an enormous rehousing problem which is dealt with by the construction of estates which provide at a low rental in multi-storey blocks a reasonable standard of accommodation, hygiene and amenity. This accommodation is eagerly sought after. Planning of the estates takes into account the welfare, recreational and educational needs of the new settlers. Since the original blocks were put up in 1954, when the Department was first created, imaginative modifications to the design of the blocks and layout of the estates have brought yet further benefits to the settlers.

4. The administration of these estates is already a large and ex- panding part of the Department's work. Over 460,000 people have been resettled and sites are being sought for future estates to house as many again during the next few years.

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