1966 — Page 134

Urban Council Proceedings 市政局議事錄 All AI Reviewed

E 279

Page 134 of 279

242

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

(20) MR. HENRY H. L. Hu asked the following question:-

Is it a fact that in our resettlement estates, the density of population is too high? What are the ratios of density in different resettlement estates? Does the Government intend to take certain measures to solve this problem?

THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied as follows:-

The planned net densities of resettlement estates (and here I think I might define this word density—the term "net density" includes internal roads, but excludes external surrounding roads) varies between 2 to 3,000 persons per acre depending on the terrain whereon the estate is located. This is certainly higher than we would like, but the necessity to re-house such large numbers with so little land available has forced the acceptance of these planning standards. Moreover, it will be recognized that additions to households and natural increases serve to aggravate the position further.

With regard to the relationship, in terms of density, between the different estates the position is as follows (net site density, i.e. excluding external roads, in thousands per acre):

Jordan Valley 1.45 Wong Tai Sin 2.13 Hung Hom 2.43 Tai Hang Tung 3.03 Li Cheng Uk 2.72 Shek Kip Mei 3.44

These densities may at first sight seem high, but comparable development in the private sector frequently provides densities exceeding those obtaining in resettlement estates, and densities of between 4 to 8,000 persons per acre are not infrequent.

With regard to the measures that may be taken to solve this problem, Government's extensive resettlement and low-cost housing programmes should, of course, eventually enable the densities in existing estates to be reduced.

MR. HU:-Thank you very much, but I would ask a supplementary question. Is any research being made, or has already been made, with regard to the security of the community? Is there any research for that sort of thing?

ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-Mr. Chairman, as far as I know, I can think of no research, but I think you can only go by experience in Hong Kong where these densities have prevailed in many parts of Hong Kong for some time, not in resettlement estates, but outside resettlement estates.

MR. HU:-But is the density of the population in certain areas in Kowloon a potential danger of disturbances?

CHAIRMAN: This, Mr. Hu, is a question which it is impossible to answer. Any area in any country in the world where there is a dense concentration of people is more liable to riot or disturbance than one where people are spread out.

MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, I would be grateful for your answer. My point is what measures would Government like to take with regard to densities that may become a threat to society if the population is concentrated in a certain area?

CHAIRMAN:-Mr. Hu, we can only take note of the point you have made.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Can the Director of Public Works say whether there are any density projections for future estates?

ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I am not quite sure what is meant by density projections. The point is that we plan future estates on the basis of between two to three thousand persons per acre, and of course with a higher block or higher type of resettlement estate this means you have a greater floor area on the ground which is not built over. But this is the basis of our planning, two to three thousand persons per acre.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Is this also the same planning projection for Government low-cost housing estates?

ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: It is very similar. Low-cost housing has a lower density because the area of the flats is higher than in resettlement estates, but marginally so.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-But isn't it the long-term policy of Government eventually to narrow the gap in the provision of amenities and open spaces for Government low-cost housing and for future resettlement estates? In which case, isn't it desirable that there should be planning to have an identical density of between two to three thousand both for low-cost housing estates and for new resettlement estates?

ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: This is the case, Mr. Chairman. The resettlement blocks have been planned on the basis of when it is possible, you can knock down the dividing walls and make a larger flat. But you cannot do that until such time as you have accommodation available.

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

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E 279 Page 134 of 279 Page 134 of 279 242 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL (20) MR. HENRY H. L. Hu asked the following question:- Is it a fact that in our resettlement estates, the density of population is too high? What are the ratios of density in different resettlement estates? Does the Government intend to take certain measures to solve this problem? THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied as follows:- The planned net densities of resettlement estates (and here I think I might define this word density—the term "net density" includes internal roads, but excludes external surrounding roads) varies between 2 to 3,000 persons per acre depending on the terrain whereon the estate is located. This is certainly higher than we would like, but the necessity to re-house such large numbers with so little land available has forced the acceptance of these planning standards. Moreover, it will be recognized that additions to households and natural increases serve to aggravate the position further. 2. 3. 4. With regard to the relationship, in terms of density, between the different estates the position is as follows (net site density, i.e. excluding external roads, in thousands per acre): Jordan Valley 1.45 Wong Tai Sin 2.13 Hung Hom 2.43 Tai Hang Tung 3.03 Li Cheng Uk 2.72 Shek Kip Mei 3.44 These densities may at first sight seem high, but comparable development in the private sector frequently provides densities exceeding those obtaining in resettlement estates, and densities of between 4 to 8,000 persons per acre are not infrequent. With regard to the measures that may be taken to solve this problem, Government's extensive resettlement and low-cost housing programmes should, of course, eventually enable the densities in existing estates to be reduced. MR. HU:-Thank you very much, but I would ask a supplementary question. Is any research being made, or has already been made, with regard to the security of the community? Is there any research for that sort of thing? ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-Mr. Chairman, as far as I know, I can think of no research, but I think you can only go by experience in Hong Kong where these densities have prevailed in many parts of Hong Kong for some time, not in resettlement estates, but outside resettlement estates. MR. HU:-But is the density of the population in certain areas in Kowloon a potential danger of disturbances? CHAIRMAN: This, Mr. Hu, is a question which it is impossible to answer. Any area in any country in the world where there is a dense concentration of people is more liable to riot or disturbance than one where people are spread out. MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, I would be grateful for your answer. My point is what measures would Government like to take with regard to densities that may become a threat to society if the population is concentrated in a certain area? CHAIRMAN:-Mr. Hu, we can only take note of the point you have made. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Can the Director of Public Works say whether there are any density projections for future estates? ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS:-I am not quite sure what is meant by density projections. The point is that we plan future estates on the basis of between two to three thousand persons per acre, and of course with a higher block or higher type of resettlement estate this means you have a greater floor area on the ground which is not built over. But this is the basis of our planning, two to three thousand persons per acre. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Is this also the same planning projection for Government low-cost housing estates? ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: It is very similar. Low-cost housing has a lower density because the area of the flats is higher than in resettlement estates, but marginally so. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-But isn't it the long-term policy of Government eventually to narrow the gap in the provision of amenities and open spaces for Government low-cost housing and for future resettlement estates? In which case, isn't it desirable that there should be planning to have an identical density of between two to three thousand both for low-cost housing estates and for new resettlement estates? ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: This is the case, Mr. Chairman. The resettlement blocks have been planned on the basis of when it is possible, you can knock down the dividing walls and make a larger flat. But you cannot do that until such time as you have accommodation available. HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 243

Baseline (Original)

E 279 Page 134 of 279 Page 134 of 279 242 HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL (20) MR. HENRY H. L. Hu asked the following question:- Is it a fact that in our resettlement estates, the density of population is too high? What are the ratios of density in different resettlement estates? Does the Government intend to take certain measures to solve this problem? THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied as follows:- The planned net densities of resettlement estates (and here 1 think I might define this word density-the term "net density" includes internal roads, but excludes external surrounding roads) varies between 2 to 3,000 persons per acre depending on the terrain whereon the estate is located. This is certainly higher than we would like, but the neces- sity to re-house such large numbers with so little land available has forced the acceptance of these planning standards. Moreover, it will be recognized that additions to households and natural increases serve to aggravate the position further. 2. 3. 4. With regard to the relationship, in terms of density, between the different estates the position is as follows (net site density, i.e. excluding external roads, in thousands per acre): Jordan Valley 1.45 Wong Tai Sin 2.13 Hung Hom 2.43 Tai Hang Tung 3.03 Li Cheng Uk 2.72 Shek Kip Mei 3.44 These densities may at first sight seem high, but com- parable development in the private sector frequently pro- vides densities exceeding those obtaining in resettlement estates, and densities of between 4 to 8,000 persons per acre are not infrequent. With regard to the measures that may be taken to solve this problem, Government's extensive resettlement and low cost housing programmes should, of course, eventually enable the densities in existing estates to be reduced. MR. HU:-Thank you very much, but I would ask a supplementary question. Is any research being made, or has already been made, with regard to the security of the community? Is there any research for that sort of thing? ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: -Mr. Chairman, as far as I know, I can think of no research, but I think you can only go by HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL 243 experience in Hong Kong where these densities have prevailed in many parts of Hong Kong for some time, not in resettlement estates, but outside resettlement estates. MR. HU-But is the density of the population in certain areas in Kowloon a potential danger of disturbances? CHAIRMAN: This, Mr. Hu, is a question which it is impossible to answer. Any area in any country in the world where there is a dense concentration of people is more liable to riot or disturbance than one where people are spread out. MR. HU: Mr. Chairman, I would be grateful for your answer. My point is what measures would Government like to take with regard to densities that may become a threat to society if the population is concentrated in a certain area? CHAIRMAN: made. -Mr. Hu, we can only take note of the point you have MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Can the Director of Public Works say whether there are any density projections for future estates? ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: ---I am not quite sure what is meant by density projections. The point is that we plan future estates on the basis of between two to three thousand persons per acre, and of course with a higher block or higher type of resettlement estate this means you have a greater floor area on the ground which is not built over. But this is the basis of our planning, two to three thousand persons per acre. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Is this also the same planning projection for Government low cost housing estates? ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: It is very similar. Low cost housing has a lower density because the area of the flats is higher than in resettlement estates, but marginally so. MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-But isn't it the long term policy of Govern- ment eventually to narrow the gap in the provision of amenities and open spaces for Government low cost housing and for future resettle- ment estates? In which case, isn't it desirable that there should be planning to have an identical density of between two to three thousand both for low cost housing estates and for new resettlement estates? man. ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: This is the case Mr. Chair- The resettlement blocks have been planned on the basis of when it is possible, you can knock down the dividing walls and make a larger flat. But you cannot do that until such time as you have accommoda- tion available.

2026-05-13 23:34:20 · Baseline

View content

E 279

Page 134 of 279

242

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

(20) MR. HENRY H. L. Hu asked the following question:-

THE ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS replied as follows:-

The planned net densities of resettlement estates (and here 1 think I might define this word density-the term "net density" includes internal roads, but excludes external surrounding roads) varies between 2 to 3,000 persons per acre depending on the terrain whereon the estate is located. This is certainly higher than we would like, but the neces- sity to re-house such large numbers with so little land available has forced the acceptance of these planning standards. Moreover, it will be recognized that additions to households and natural increases serve to aggravate the position further.

With regard to the relationship, in terms of density, between the different estates the position is as follows (net site density, i.e. excluding external roads, in thousands per acre):

Jordan Valley

1.45

Wong Tai Sin

2.13

Hung Hom

2.43

Tai Hang Tung

3.03

Li Cheng Uk

2.72

Shek Kip Mei

3.44

These densities may at first sight seem high, but com- parable development in the private sector frequently pro- vides densities exceeding those obtaining in resettlement estates, and densities of between 4 to 8,000 persons per acre are not infrequent.

With regard to the measures that may be taken to solve this problem, Government's extensive resettlement and low cost housing programmes should, of course, eventually enable the densities in existing estates to be reduced.

ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: -Mr. Chairman, as far as I know, I can think of no research, but I think you can only go by

HONG KONG URBAN COUNCIL

243

experience in Hong Kong where these densities have prevailed in many parts of Hong Kong for some time, not in resettlement estates, but outside resettlement estates.

MR. HU-But is the density of the population in certain areas in Kowloon a potential danger of disturbances?

CHAIRMAN:

made.

-Mr. Hu, we can only take note of the point you have

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Can the Director of Public Works say whether there are any density projections for future estates?

ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: ---I am not quite sure what

is meant by density projections. The point is that we plan future estates on the basis of between two to three thousand persons per acre, and of course with a higher block or higher type of resettlement estate this means you have a greater floor area on the ground which is not built over. But this is the basis of our planning, two to three thousand persons per acre.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-Is this also the same planning projection for Government low cost housing estates?

ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: It is very similar. Low cost housing has a lower density because the area of the flats is higher than in resettlement estates, but marginally so.

MR. CHEONG-LEEN:-But isn't it the long term policy of Govern- ment eventually to narrow the gap in the provision of amenities and open spaces for Government low cost housing and for future resettle- ment estates? In which case, isn't it desirable that there should be planning to have an identical density of between two to three thousand both for low cost housing estates and for new resettlement estates?

man.

ACTING DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS: This is the case Mr. Chair- The resettlement blocks have been planned on the basis of when it is possible, you can knock down the dividing walls and make a larger flat. But you cannot do that until such time as you have accommoda- tion available.

1966 — Page 134

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