ENG-1955 — Page 166

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HONG KONG ANNUAL REPORT

years, modern shop and tenement buildings differ little from those in Kowloon. For any building in reinforced concrete it is obligatory to employ an architect.

TOWN PLANNING

A preliminary planning report for Hong Kong was prepared by Sir Patrick Abercrombie in 1948. This set out the main lines along which long-term development should proceed. The population, however, has risen well beyond the limit of 2,000,000 envisaged at the time of Sir Patrick Abercrombie's visit. This has accelerated development in the Colony and produced significant alterations to the data on which the Report was based. Several large new reclama- tions, which had not been envisaged for many years to come, have already been completed or are advancing rapidly towards completion. The reconstruction of Kai Tak Airport, necessitated by world developments in aviation, has led to other alterations, and the growth of industry has required the development of Kun Tong and Tsun Wan as industrial

centres.

Wherever possible, however, the main intentions of the Report are being followed. Within the preliminary pattern given in it, the preparation of outline development plans is undertaken by a small Town Planning Unit, which is part of the Public Works Department and coordinates govern- mental work on planning problems. The plans set out the principles to be followed in the improvement of any district concerned, and when necessary, are broken down into greater detail to show the lay-out of specified zones.

As the Government owns the freehold of virtually all land in the Colony, there is little or no impediment to the controlled use of unleased Crown land. When planned improvements affect land already leased, compulsory pur- chase, or purchase by negotiation, is sometimes necessary. A Town Planning Ordinance, giving powers both in this respect and in regard to the control of the use of land, has been in force since 1939, but it is only recently, due to increased development, that full use is being made of its provisions, in order that the best possible use may be made of the limited area available for development.

See also the section on land tenure in the Production Chapter.