ENG-1982 — Page 167

HOUSING AND LAND

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were revised to take account of changes in population forecasts, government policies, planning standards and other trends. These included plans for Kennedy Town, Sha Tin and Lamma Island.

To provide guidelines for the preparation of town plans and to define current planning standards, a manual entitled the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines was prepared. Formerly incorporated as part of the Hong Kong Outline Plan, the manual lays down general planning concepts, defines standards and criteria for the provision of government and other community facilities, and provides a framework for the preparation of statutory and departmental plans. The document is constantly kept under review to take account of changes in government policies, population forecasts and other social and economic trends. Sections involving residential densities, social welfare and community facilities, recreation and open space, commerce, cemeteries, and other related facilities, were revised during the year.

After 10 years' vigorous economic growth and development, a development strategy for the whole territory is being formulated to direct future investment and development in the fields of housing, industry, recreation and infrastructure, including inter-urban transport links and services. In line with this development strategy, the government has initiated a number of studies to assess the development potential of each major geographic sub-division of the territory. Major studies included the Northwest and Northeast New Territories, North Lantau and Junk Bay.

The first consultancy report on the Northwest New Territories recommended a base strategy to allow for natural population growth in the region. A follow-up study was commissioned in February to decide on the infrastructure needed, based on projected population distribution, and to investigate ways to maximise the development and potential of the region. The study of the Northeast New Territories was extended to cover development west of Fanling and the transport implications of higher populations at Junk Bay and Sha Tin.

Further studies on North Lantau were completed, redefining the potential areas for development with and without a replacement airport, and proposing population limits and broad concepts for the staging and timing of development. A proposed land-use budget to provide a basis for more detailed planning and development proposals of the region is to be undertaken.

The Junk Bay Development Study, undertaken to facilitate the development of a new town at Junk Bay and to study the implications and development opportunities in the Sai Kung hinterland, was submitted to the government in June.

A study on harbour reclamation and urban growth continued as part of a programme by the government to co-ordinate overall planning, and to meet housing, transport, employ- ment and other needs of the population. It included the possibility of further reclamation, levelling of hills, and the scope for additional urban growth through the redevelopment of existing properties and development of new sites. The study also examined future use of the Hong Kong International Airport site at Kai Tak should the airport be relocated, and possible sites for additional container berths and associated port facilities.

Private Building

With the lowering of bank interest rates, private building construction continued to increase in 1982 and included several large-scale, major development schemes. In terms of usable floor area, building projects for which consent was given to commence works increased by seven per cent over the figure for 1981.

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