ENG-1969 — Page 193

LAND AND HOUSING

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Fires, in increasing numbers, are causing severe structural damage to post-war buildings, particularly reinforced concrete multi-storied flatted factories even though these buildings were designed in accordance with international standards for fire-resisting construction. Although complete demolition has rarely been found necessary, structural repairs can be costly and frustrating to factory

owners.

The activities of the three control and enforcement sections of the Buildings Ordinance Office, which are responsible for Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and the New Territories respectively, are now becoming more widely known, as indicated by the number of complaints received (over 823 in 1969) and letters to the corre- spondence columns of the local newspapers. The task of these sections, which is an onerous one, is to investigate and take action against illegal alterations in private buildings. Priority is given to the removal of those illegal works which present a significant fire, structural or health hazard. A total of 3,885 statutory notices affecting 601 buildings were served during the year.

URBAN RENEWAL

The 1965 Report of the Working Party on Slum Clearance proposed the creation of an Urban Renewal District and a smaller Pilot Scheme Area in the west central area of Hong Kong Island. In 1969 approval was given for the planning and engineering feasibility study prepared by the Public Works Department for the Pilot Scheme Area covering, some 13 acres between Hollywood Road and Queen's Road Central. There are some 330 lots of private land within the Pilot Scheme Area which will have to be acquired. Nearly all post-war completed buildings and some buildings now under construction will be allowed to remain. It is proposed that the clearance and redevelopment should be staged over a number of years so as to minimise the effect on existing residents and to enable them to be rehoused, at least to some degree, within the existing area.

The larger Urban Renewal District comprises some 250 acres in the Western and Sai Ying Pun districts of Hong Kong Island. The Town Planning Board has been instructed to prepare an outline zoning plan for this area and it is hoped that it will be available for