ENG-1978 — Page 142

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HOUSING AND LAND

Transit Centres The authority also provides short-term accommodation in transit centres for people made homeless by fires or natural disasters. Because of the increased calls on tem- porary housing during the year, it was necessary to use transit centres to accommodate some people waiting for space in temporary housing areas. The total capacity of the transit centres is about 1,700 people. A programme of improvements, including the provision of partitions, additional electric power points and ceiling fans in older centres, was completed and the centres now have resident caretakers.

Squatter Control and Clearance

The primary purpose of squatter control is to contain the growth of new squatting on Crown land either by preventing the erection of new structures, or by demolishing them as soon as possible after building starts. In 1976, a General Squatter Survey was carried out in the urban areas and in the Tsuen Wan district to create a new baseline for more effective squatter control, and to extend eligibility for an ex-gratia allowance or factory reprovisioning on clearance to previously unsurveyed squatter shops and workshops. At the same time, the Executive Council approved a revised squatter control policy, whereby certain areas susceptible to new squatting were designated as Intensive Patrol Areas to be patrolled daily.

During the year, 10,752 new huts and illegal extensions to surveyed huts were demolished by the Squatter Control Division in the urban areas and the Tsuen Wan district. The number demolished two years ago was almost twice that figure, indicating less pressure to build squatter dwellings.

As Hong Kong's economy continues to expand, so does the community's ability to improve and develop the scarce land resources available. However, with suitable land for development in the urban areas fast running out, the use of any urban land remain- ing usually entails the clearance of squatters first. In 1978, the clearance programme thus involved the removal of some 30,845 people in 159 clearance operations, yielding a total of about 343 hectares for development.

Only squatters occupying structures surveyed in 1964 are eligible for direct public housing on clearance, while occupants of post-1964 huts are provided with temporary housing. Development clearances during the year involved the rehousing of 19,083 people in permanent public housing and a further 11,762 in temporary housing. A further 5,005 people were cleared from dangerous buildings, buildings involved in urban renewal, temporary housing areas and structures affected by natural disasters. Of these, 2,804 were allocated permanent housing and the balance temporary housing.

Town Planning

The overall objective of town planning in Hong Kong is to ensure that the limited land resources are planned to meet the competing needs of various uses. Sufficient land has to be provided for public and private housing, commerce and industry, recreation and community uses while the quality of the living and working environ- ment for the population is improved.

Statutory plans are prepared under the provisions of the Town Planning Ordinance. The Town Planning Board is responsible for the preparation and revision of draft statutory plans for existing and potential urban areas. During the year, the board