ENG-1971 — Page 168

114

LAND AND HOUSING

the metrication programme, in respect of land matters, with all branches of the Crown Lands and Survey Office and with the Registrar General (Land Office) and the New Territories Adminis- tration.

An exhibition of 'The Mapping of Hong Kong' was held at the City Hall in February 1971. It lasted for six days and was extremely successful. Some 25,000 people, mainly students, visited the exhibi- tion and all available stocks of maps and plans put on sale were bought. As a result of the interest created the demand for maps and plans has continued to be heavy. Since April, the Director of Lands and Survey has taken over from the Government Printer the responsibility for providing, distributing and selling all official maps and plans of the Colony and a sales office set up on the 19th floor of Murray Building is kept busy.

) |

TOWN PLANNING

S

Since 1953 plans have been prepared for the 39 planning areas which make up the main urbanised portion of Hong Kong and for 13 towns of various sizes in the New Territories. These plans are of two types; statutory plans prepared under the Town Planning Ordinance; and outline development and detailed layout plans which are used as a guide in the sale of Crown land and the re- development of private land but which have no statutory effect.

The Town Planning Board, constituted under the Town Planning Ordinance, comprises eight official and five unofficial members. Plans of areas where development is likely to affect private land or interests are prepared on the instructions of the Governor under the board's direction. Statutory plans for 21 planning areas have been approved; of these nine have been referred back to the Town Planning Board for amendment or replacement; a further 15 draft plans are under preparation.

In 1970, work was completed on the preparation of a draft Colony Outline Plan based on the deliberations of six inter-departmental working committees. The plan provides guidelines for a more balanced approach to the preparation of statutory, outline develop- ment and detailed layout plans. It also provides a basis for the formulation of land development programmes and the reappraisal of transportation proposals. The plan is a conceptual document, and as such, will require periodic reviews to maintain its effectiveness as a guide. Work has begun on updating data as a result of the 1971 census.