ENG-1984 — Page 235

184

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

The town is being planned around three main districts, each with a population of between 60 000 and 95 000. Each district centre will have shopping and other commercial facilities, community facilities and a transport interchange. Initial development will be served by the improved Po Lam Road, which is planned to be followed by a Junk Bay Road Tunnel; a Mass Transit Railway extension might be introduced later if and when necessary. Outside the new town, planning for Sai Kung District has given priority to recreation and restricts urban development. Planning studies continued in 1984 on the expansion of the town of Sai Kung to serve an ultimate population of 40 000 compared with the present population of 14 300.

Islands District

In recent years, the outlying islands have taken on an increasingly important role in the life of Hong Kong. As part of the New Town Development Programme, projects continued during the year - both planned and underway - to provide for existing and future growth in population, to upgrade living standards, and to improve general facilities for the increasing number of visitors to the islands. Although development remains generally low-rise and rural in character, the programme of works is large and diverse, concentrating mainly on the population centres of Mui Wo and Tai O on Lantau Island, and on the islands of Cheung Chau and Peng Chau.

More facilities will become available throughout the district, including ferries, schools, market buildings, recreational facilities, sewage treatment plants and abattoirs.

Town Planning

The main aim of town planning in Hong Kong is to provide a good living and working environment for its present and future population. The limited land resources must be properly planned to meet the competing demands of housing, commerce, industry, transportation, recreation, education, medical and health, and other community facilities. This applies both to new development areas, such as Tuen Mun and Sha Tin, and to the older congested urban districts, such as Yau Ma Tei and Western District, where the need for improvement is even more apparent.

The two authorities mainly responsible for town planning are the Town Planning Board, chaired by the Secretary for Lands and Works, comprising nine official and 10 unofficial members, and the Land Development Policy Committee, chaired by the Chief Secretary and comprising 10 official members.

ין

statutory and depart-

Town plans, which can be broadly classified into two groups mental – are prepared to guide future development and redevelopment. They ensure the provision of the required community facilities and public utility services, and control land use and building volume on individual sites to meet the demands of the territory's growing population.

Statutory plans for existing and potential urban areas are prepared under the provision of the Town Planning Ordinance, the Town Planning Division of the Lands Department, under the direction of the Town Planning Board, being responsible for their preparation and revision. These statutory outline zoning plans show areas set aside or zoned for residential, commercial, industrial, government, institutional and other purposes. They act as an important link between the government and the public, providing a guide to public and private investment by indicating the future broad pattern of land use, including major public works for developing areas. Once a statutory plan is gazetted for public inspection, it has statutory effect. Under the Buildings Ordinance, the Building Authority may refuse to