ENG-1992 — Page 205

HOUSING

removed during demolition of 72 older temporary housing areas as part of the phasing out of this particular form of housing.

Other maintenance activities included completion of the programme for reinforcement of electrical supplies to prevent summer overloading in 122 blocks in 37 estates at a cost of $46 million.

There was also significant improvement in the breakdown rate for lift installations, which was halved from one breakdown per lift each month.

Under the modernisation programme, 52 new lifts were installed and design and contract specifications were drawn up for 55 more.

A major five-year programme was started to upgrade 40 commercial centres with new facilities and finishes in order to meet residents' needs and attract customers. It will cost $300 million.

During the year, liaison with tenants was strengthened, and a new and improved main- tenance system referred to as CARE - for Condition, Appraisal, Repair and Examination – was introduced.

In the next five years, the authority will spend $2.7 billion in its commitment to provide a reliable and efficient maintenance service.

Building Works

Meanwhile, building works continue on a large number of estates and commercial premises, in various locations in the urban areas and in the new towns.

In the urban areas, work is being carried out mainly in the eastern and southern parts of Hong Kong Island, and in Central and East Kowloon,

In the new towns, much work is being carried out in Tin Shui Wai, Ma On Shan, Tai Po, Fanling and Tseung Kwan O.

In Tin Shui Wai, one of the newest new towns, intake of tenants began in April for 4 022 rental flats in Phase 1 of Tin Yiu Estate, and, later in the year, 1 824 ownership flats were made available to the public.

Plans for the development of Tiu Keng Leng, as part of Tseung Kwan O New Town, are well underway. Six phases of public housing works will be completed there between 1999 and 2000, providing a total of 12 100 flats for 40 600 people.

And, as part of the North Lantau New Town Development Phase 1 at Chek Lap Kok, 1710 rental flats and 2 640 ownership flats will be available by mid-1997, together with ancillary facilities. Site formation work on this public housing project started in April, and piling and building works will follow. The design concept places strong emphasis on the visual and physical connections between the public housing development and the adjacent Town Centre as well as segregation of pedestrian and vehicle movements.

Residential buildings will be set back and orientated in such a way as to minimise noise nuisance created by major roads.

Redevelopment

Redevelopment of the older estates to bring them up to current standards is an integral part of public housing development.

During the year, 63 Mark III to VI and former Government Low Cost Housing blocks were redeveloped thereby improving the living conditions of 15 900 families. Under this massive redevelopment programme, which is a continuation of the Mark I/II blocks

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