Sharing a part of the term paper that we submitted last semester for the subject P203 – Land Use Planning. We were grouped in pairs and was tasked to research on the town planning of other countries and I have chosen Hong Kong as our subject for my group. My recent trips there for the MTG Grand Prix somewhat influenced my decision and also on my visit at their Museum of History.

Introduction

Choosing Hong Kong as the subject country for the study of its land use is because of its resemblance and several similar features to that of the Philippines, being another archipelago nation. It is fascinating how this seaside village and is called the “Gateway to China” became one of the progressive countries in the span of decades. The British colonization is one of the main reason, bringing progress in terms of economy.

History of Town Planning in HK

The town planning and development in Hong Kong was initiated and took as a main role by the government, as with any other countries. It evolved in concert with the emergence of a formal planning body which was institutionalized within the government.

Town planning concept did not exist in Hong Kong before the 1930s, and zoning control was done by land leases, intensity control was done by Buildings Ordinance (“Town Planning Development History of Hong Kong,” 2012).

The earliest history of institutionalized planning essentially began with the enactment of the Town Planning Ordinance in 1939 – It was in this Ordinance that the aim ‘to promote the health, safety, convenience and general welfare of the community’ was first proclaimed. Under the provisions of the Ordinance, the Town Planning Board was appointed by the Governor to prepare draft plans for the future layout of existing and potential urban areas as directed (Hong Kong TP, 1984, p. 12). The development of New Kowloon and Kowloon were the priority projects, with the latter being patterned to the Garden City concept.

The Ambercrombie Report (1947)

In 1947, Sir Patrick-Abercrombie was appointed to advise the Governor of Hong Kong on the general lines and principles to be followed in planning the future development of the port and urban area of Hong Kong, to outline general plans for this purpose, and to advise on what such plans would involve and in particular, what planning organization would be required.

The Ambercrombie Report contains the first strategic plan for the territory of Hong Kong as a British Crown Colony. It was funded by the Colonial Office under the Colonial Development and Welfare Scheme of 1945 and was intended to help the Hong Kong Government in the development aspect of its post-war administration.

Abercrombie’s report published in September 1948, outlined various physical planning proposals including the provision of a cross-harbour tunnel, reclamations, railways relocation, removal of military establishments, creation of industrial and residential zones and development of new towns in rural New Territories. As part of these proposals, he also recommended the establishment of an office to draw up detailed plans and to administer them (Hong Kong, 1984, p. 12).

Planning Achievements (1953-1973)

With the setting up of the Planning Branch in 1953, emphasis was put on the preparation of statutory plans under the auspices of the Town Planning Board. By the end of 1958, planning work had included either background studies or surveys and the district plans initiated over 70% of the urban districts. This is also along with some layout plans prepared and intended to be used for the several small townships in the New Territories.

Apart from preparing plans, the Planning Branch also undertook joint studies with other government departments. A comprehensive review of the Territory’s road system was conducted in 1958 by the Planning Branch, the Road Office and a consultant from the British Road Research Laboratory. Planning staff contributed to and participated in a number of committees and working groups concerned with the coordination of the physical development of the Territory.

Planning from 1972 Onwards

A ‘Ten-Year Housing Target Programme’ was approved to be used by the Governor-in-Council and that led to the new era of town planning in Hong Kong. The program aimed to provide adequate housing for another 1.8 million people by the mid-1980s. The agency in-charge, Housing Authority, played an important role as public housing can only accommodate this demand. In response to the need for this major housing programme within the 10-year period, the Government decided to accelerate the development of new towns and to expand market towns in the New Territories. To do this, the New Territories Development Department was formally set up in 1973 within the Public Works Department to be responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing the development programme of new towns. Tsuen Wan, Sha Tin and Tuen Mun were the first three new towns to be developed.

A table summary of the development history of Town Planning in Hong Kong from 1954 to 1996 by Zou and Li (2011) is shown below:

Phases, Time & Town Planning Events

Post-war preparation for renovation
1947 The first Town Planning Office was set up
1948 Sir Patrick Abercrombie’s Hong Kong Preliminary Planning Report was published
1953 The Planning Branch was set up
1954 The Town Planning Regulation was promulgated

Ordinance Enactment
1961 The New Town development was approved
1965 The Colony Outline Plan was formulated
1968 The Urban Improvement Scheme was launched and Outline Plan Preparation
1972 The Ten-Year Housing Programme was published
1974 Hong Kong Outline Plan was completed
1976 The Country Parks Ordinance was enacted

Strategic Planning and AdministrationRe-organisation
1980 The Urban Area Development Organization was set up
1982 The Town Planning Office was reorganized to become a new Town Planning Division
1983 The computerized Land Use-Transport Optimization Model was set up
1984 The first Territorial Development Strategy was completed
1986 The Port and Airport Development Strategy was completed
1988 The Metroplan was completed

Planning System Improvement and Comprehensive Review
1990 The Planning Department was established
1993 The Metroplan Selected Strategy was approved
1994 The Provision of Industrial Premises for New Industrial Area and Business Parks was completed
1996 -The Town Planning White Bill was published
-The Urban Renewal in Hong Kong was published
-The last Territorial Development Strategy Review was completed

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