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Chapter 3 : Community Facilities
3. Medical and Health Facilities 8. Ambulance Service Facilities 10. Community Halls and Social Welfare Facilities 13. Funeral Depots and Parlours
July 2008 Edition
1.1 Satisfactory housing and adequate employment opportunities are basic to the maintenance of an appropriate standard of living. A wide range of community facilities is also necessary and one of the functions of the Hong Kong Planning Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG) is to make an assessment of the land requirements for community uses. With an increasing urban population and the shortage of suitable flat land, high residential densities will still have to be accepted. This will require a corresponding growth in the provision of community services. The following facilities, whether provided by Government or by the private sector, are covered in this Chapter :
1.2 In determining the scale of provision of these community facilities, account has been taken of the expected growing demands for more generous space standards and a wider range of outlets for social activities in the long-term. These demands are likely to increase as a consequence of trends such as a broader distribution of wealth, more leisure time, higher standards of education and a greater public awareness of the importance of improving quality of urban life. At the same time, considerations of finance and other practical limitations will need to be taken into account in deriving new standards. 1.3 Many of the standards for the provision of community facilities recommended in this document are based upon the growth or concentration of population in a given area. The standards have been formulated in the light of conditions in existing urban areas or envisaged for new towns, where large population is or will be concentrated. Special consideration must also be given to the provision of community facilities in the less densely populated areas of the New Territories. Many of these are unlikely to reach a population which would warrant the provision of facilities on the basis of the standards recommended. In these areas, certain facilities such as clinics have been provided in the past on a smaller scale than in the urban areas and it is recommended that this policy should continue. 1.4 Guidelines for Sensitive Community Facilities 1.4.1 Sensitive community facilities are facilities which, due to the specific service(s) provided therein, may cause unease and concern to the people living in the neighbourhood. 1.4.2 In general, these facilities can be classified into two groups:
Locational Factors 1.4.3 While the detailed site and locational requirements of community facilities will be discussed in the later sections according to types, some general planning principles of locating sensitive community facilities should be considered as follows:
1.4.4 Public Consultation for Sensitive Community Facilities
2.1 Background 2.1.1 The Education Commission (EC) completed a comprehensive review of the education system in September 2000 and submitted the Report on "Reform Proposals for the Education System in Hong Kong" to the Government. In October 2000, the Chief Executive announced in his Policy Address that the EC's recommendations had been accepted. The planning standards and guidelines set out below have mainly incorporated these recommendations. 2.2 Standards Nursery Classes and Kindergartens 2.2.1 Whilst the reservation of sites specifically for nursery classes and kindergartens is usually not necessary, the need for such establishments is taken into account in housing estates and large-scale private development projects where space is allocated for such uses. The standard should be 760 half-day and 210 full-day places for every 1 000 children in the age group of 3 to under 6. The recommended size of a kindergarten should be a minimum of 6 classrooms with a total accommodation of 180 pupils per session. Where necessary, kindergartens with more than 6 classrooms may be considered with regard to district characteristics and site conditions. Primary School Designs 2.2.2 For planning purpose, and as a general reference to facilitate the identification and reservation of sites for primary schools, the Architectural Services Department has prepared three different indicative designs for the 30-classroom, 24-classroom and 18-classroom primary schools respectively. Figures 1, 2 and 3 show the general block layout plans for these school designs. According to these general block layout plans, the reference site areas required are as follows:
2.2.3 Notwithstanding the availability of three different designs, as a general principle, consideration should be given to reserve sites with adequate area to accommodate 30-classroom primary schools to achieve higher site utilisation. However, where it is impossible to reserve enough 30-classroom school sites to meet the demand for school places in a particular district, suitable smaller sites should be reserved for 24-classroom and then 18-classroom primary schools, in that order of priority. 2.2.4 As far as possible, sites reserved should not only meet the reference sizes but also be suitably configured to accommodate the school buildings and the necessary supporting facilities such as ball courts, bus lay-bys and car parking spaces. Should circumstances not permit the provision of car parking spaces within the school curtilage, they should be provided in convenient locations close to the school buildings. 2.2.5 The Secretary for Education is, however, prepared to exercise greater flexibility in considering primary school sites which are found suitable for primary school use but with sizes not meeting the reference site requirements as stipulated in para. 2.2.2, or sites which meet the reference site requirements but are not suitably configured. When such sites are identified, advice should be sought from the Secretary for Education and the Director of Architectural Services. 2.2.6 School designs should be site and client specific to enable schools to be flexibly designed to reflect their individual identity as a physical manifestation of the different education themes adopted by different schools. 2.2.7 In order to better utilise and to address different site constraints, the Secretary for Education may also consider allowing greater innovations in school building design, e.g. high-rise schools, joint development school buildings, etc., for individual cases, subject to the arrangements agreed within the Administration on the adoption of flexible design for school building. The proposed joint use should however be compatible with the function of the school. 2.2.8 The provision of primary schools should be based on a standard of one whole-day classroom for 25.5 persons in the 6-11 age group. The population threshold in the 6-11 age group requiring a 30-classroom primary school which operates 30 whole-day classes is hence 765 persons; that for a 24-classroom primary school is 612 persons; and that for a 18-classroom primary school is 459 persons. This provision standard has allowed for the implementation of small-class teaching in Primary One in suitable public primary schools starting from the 2009/10 school year, and for extension by phases to all classes from Primary One to Primary Six by the 2014/15 school year. Site Reservation 2.2.9 Reservation of sites for primary schools should be made on a district basis. For primary school planning purpose, the whole Territory is divided into 18 districts, which are identical to the administrative Districts, which are identical to the administrative districts of the 18 District Councils. 2.2.2.10 District planners should work with the Secretary for Education to ensure that a sufficient number of sites are available to meet the demand within each district. An additional reserve equivalent to 10% of the number of sites required for primary schools as calculated on the above standards should be set aside in each new development area so as to provide for flexible planning. If specific demographic projections are prepared for these areas, the 10% additional reservation can be applied with flexibility. 2.2.2.11 At the same time, other factors such as population characteristics, site area and environmental and traffic requirements should also be considered in planning the provision of primary schools in a district. For instance, in the Islands District where inter-island travelling should be minimised as far as possible, additional school sites should be reserved at the request of the Secretary for Education. Comprehensive Housing Projects 2.2.2.12 Comprehensively planned and designed housing projects, public or private, should, as a matter of principle, be self-supporting in the provision of primary school places. The provision of adequate primary school places within comprehensive housing developments would have the merit of minimising the travelling time required of students residing in the estates. 2.2.2.13 For housing estates developed or redeveloped by the Housing Authority, adequate site or sites for primary schools should be provided to cater for the developments' own design population unless there is a surplus of places or school reservations elsewhere in the district. For example, if an estate has a design population that would generate a demand for an 18-classroom primary school, then a large enough site within the boundary of the estate to accommodate the required primary school should be provided. If the district has a surplus of school places, and sufficient site reservations already exist, then it may not be necessary to reserve any further primary school in the development. 2.2.2.14 For private comprehensive residential developments, including the Housing Society's estates, every opportunity should be secured in processing the development/re-development schemes to require the provision of adequate primary schools to meet the developments' own design population. Where a site, or sites, for primary schools are reserved, the Secretary for Education should be consulted as to whether the private developer should also be entrusted with the building of the school building(s) to his satisfaction. Relevant departments and bureaux should be consulted on whether the cost of school project(s) should be borne by the private developer or to be reimbursed by the Government in accordance with the prevailing policy. Secondary School Design 2.2.2.15 For planning purpose, and as a general reference to facilitate the identification and reservation of sites for secondary schools, the Architectural Services Department has prepared an indicative design for a secondary school consisting of 30-classrooms. Figure 4 shows the general block layout plan for this school design. According to the general block layout plan, a reference site area of 6,950m2 with a minimum acceptable width of 65m is required to accommodate a secondary school. 2.2.2.16 As far as possible, the site reserved should have adequate area and suitably configured to accommodate the school building and the necessary supporting facilities. 2.2.2.17 However, the Secretary for Education is prepared to consider secondary school sites with size and/or configuration not meeting the reference requirements stipulated in para. 2.2.15 for individual cases. When such sites are identified, advice should be sought from the Secretary for Education. Innovations and greater flexibility in school design will also be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to the arrangements agreed within the Administration on the adoption of flexible design for school building. Provision Standard 2.2.2.18 The provision of secondary schools should be based on a standard of one whole day classroom for 40 persons in the 12-17 age group. With a 30-classroom school which operates 30 whole day classes, it is necessary to provide one school for every 1,200 persons in the 12-17 age group. The provision has taken into account the demand for senior secondary school places. Site Reservation 2.2.2.19 Site reservation for secondary schools should also be made on a district basis such that a sufficient number of sites are available to meet the district demand. The overall provision of secondary schools, however, is assessed on a territorial basis to ensure that the overall provision would not exceed the territorial requirement, subject to paragraph 2.2.20 below. 2.2.2.20 Reservation of new school sites, including those for reprovisioning purpose, should be made with due regard to the regional needs to reduce the imbalance of secondary school provision between the urban areas and the New Territories. Methodology for Assessing School Provision 2.2.2.21 The projected population in the relevant school-age groups, namely 3-5 for kindergarten, 6-11 for primary and 12-17 for secondary, forms the basis for assessing the number of classrooms and schools required in each district. The different population thresholds for the respective school-age groups as stated in paras. 2.2.1, 2.2.8 and 2.2.18 can be used to work out the number of classrooms and schools required. 2.2.2.22 District planners should refer to the more specific district-based age distribution forecasts prepared by the Working Group on Population Distribution Projections (WGPD) when assessing the school requirements. 2.2.2.23 In cases where only the projected total population for the district is available such as in new development areas, the territory-wide average percentage age distribution for the relevant school-age group, given in Table 1 below, can be used in working out the size of the relevant school-age population. Table 1 : Projected Percentage Age Distribution for Selected School - Age Group
2.2.24 When assessing school provision, district planners should consult the Secretary for Education for the latest forecast demand on school provision and consult the Commissioner for Census and Statistics for the latest population projections. Shared Use of School and Community Facilities Clustering of Schools 2.2.25 To facilitate the implementation of the through-train mode and to utilise land and other resources more efficiently, primary and secondary schools should be planned, where feasible, in either pairs or in clusters so that the school facilities can be shared, or the sites can be developed jointly as a school village. The opportunity for clustering and the types of facilities to be shared should however be determined on a case-by-case basis. Shared Use of Facilities with the Community 2.2.26 In view of the shortage of school sites, in particular in the urban areas, consideration will be given for schools to share the use of adjacent community and recreation facilities. Where appropriate, school facilities should also be shared for use by the community. Shared use of facilities among schools and the community should be considered and planned on a case-by-case basis in consultation with concerned bureaux and departments. The proposed joint use should however be compatible with the function of the school. Facilities for Technical Education and Vocational Training 2.2.27 There are no fixed standards of provision for technical education and vocational training facilities as the demand for such education and training relates to the changing needs of the industries and economy. The numbers and types of places are jointly assessed by the Government and Vocational Training Council. 2.2.28 Requirement of these facilities needs to be determined on a territory-wide basis and it is desirable to ensure that sufficient sites are reserved for them. In the preparation of town plans, district planners should consult the Secretary for Education on the reservation of sites for these facilities. 2.2.29 The site area requirement and design layout for such facilities will be determined on a case-by-case basis. 2.2.30 Secondary technical and pre-vocational schools are within the scope of technical education. However, their provision standards fall within the secondary school category which have been incorporated in paras. 2.2.18 and 2.2.21 to 2.2.24 above. Special Schools 2.2.31 These schools will be provided to meet territory-wide requirements rather than specific local needs. The location of new schools should be as wide spread as possible to cater for the various types of handicapped. The views of the Secretary for Education should be sought on the need and site reservation for various types of special schools. Post-secondary Colleges 2.2.32 Requirements for post-secondary colleges need to be determined on a territory-wide basis in the light of long-term education policies, demographic changes and manpower demand. It is desirable to ensure that sufficient sites are reserved for them, and reservation of sites should be made by district planners in consultation with the Secretary for Education. 2.2.33 The site area requirement and design layout for such facilities will be determined on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Secretary for Education. As a general guide, it is proposed that sites reserved should have a size between 2,000m2 to 7,000m2, and should be suitably configured to accommodate the college buildings and the necessary supporting facilities such as ball courts and carparks. Total gross floor area should approximately be in a range from 6,500m2 to 22,000m2. 2.2.2.34 Depending on size of operation, post-secondary colleges can either be free-standing on ground level or part of a composite structure. The location of post-secondary colleges should be easily accessible by public transport. Universities 2.2.2.35 These include institutions funded by the University Grants Committee. Requirements for these facilities need to be determined on a territory-wide basis in the light of long-term education policies, demographic changes and manpower demand. 2.3 Locational Guidelines 2.3.1 The environmental guidelines as set out in Chapter 9 of the HKPSG on 'Environment' should be applied in deciding on the location of school buildings. As a general principle, schools should not be located close to sources of air pollution or potentially hazardous installations or within the consultation zone of landfills. 2.3.2 Schools should be sited away from areas affected by significant noise. If this is unavoidable, appropriate abatement measures should be considered in consultation with the Director of Environmental Protection and the Secretary for Education. 2.3.3 All schools should be provided with emergency vehicular access to the satisfaction of the Director of Fire Services. They should be safe from the danger of falling objects from neighbouring buildings. 2.3.4 As a general rule, schools should be free-standing on ground level. However, the Secretary for Education is prepared to consider, on a case-by-case basis, schools on podium provided that they are free-standing and meet other locational requirements. 2.3.5 As far as circumstances permit, schools should be located in proximity to public open space and compatible institutions/community facilities such as public libraries, community centres and indoor recreation centres but excluding open sports grounds/stadium. 2.3.6 Schools should be so located and distributed so that any ingress/egress movements and loading and unloading activities would minimise local traffic congestion. 2.3.7 Kindergartens should preferably be located within 0.4km measured radially from residential areas. On their way to school, kindergarten pupils should not be expected to cross any major roads which are not served by grade-separated or traffic light controlled pedestrian crossings. 2.3.8 Technical institutes and industrial training centres should preferably be located near industrial areas. 2.3.9 Whenever possible, the school building should be located in a site which enables the classroom block to have its longest axis orientated east-west so as to minimise the effects of the sun. The open play area and the ball courts of the school shall best be located adjacent to the school building proper.
3.1 Regional Approach 3.1.1 The 1974 White Paper recommended a regional approach in planning and administration of medical and health services. Under the system, hospitals and clinic facilities in a common geographical area were grouped together to form an integrated service network. The aim is to ensure a more even use of Government and Government-assisted hospital beds and that patients are treated with the level of staff and facilities most appropriate to their clinical conditions. 3.1.2 Since the formation of the Hospital Authority on 1.12.90, all Government and Government-assisted hospitals have been retitled as public hospitals under the control of the Hospital Authority. The delivery of quality patient care in acute and extended care institutions has been facilitated by the establishment of 8 functional general hospital clusters, the objective of which is to ensure continuity and service coverage for the whole episode of illness. Mental health services have also been re-organised under the same concept. 3.1.3 The delivery system under the Hospital Authority divides public hospitals into 8 general hospital clusters, namely, Hong Kong West, Hong Kong East, Kowloon Central, Kowloon West, Kowloon East, New Territories South, New Territories East and New Territories North. For the territory as a whole, each cluster will provide appropriate acute and extended care services to ensure a continuum of care throughout the patient's episode of illness, from the acute phase to the convalescent and rehabilitation, and extending to the community after-care phases. These hospital clusters will form the framework for the establishment of collaborative networks, with other health care providers and welfare and community organisation. 3.2 Hospital 3.2.1 For long-term planning purpose, the aim is to provide 5.5 beds (including all types of hospital beds both in public and private sectors) per 1000 persons. This ratio, arrived at by application of a "bed formula", was endorsed by the then Medical Development Advisory Committee. The planning and development of hospitals need to be determined within a regional context, taking into consideration the likely future concentrations of population and the need for different types of hospital beds (i.e. acute general, extended care or psychiatric beds). 3.2.2 For site reservation purpose, a standard of 80 m2 per bed should be adopted for hospitals. This includes requirements for other supporting services and associated ancillary facilities such as car parking, loading and unloading areas. It also provides scope for expansion. In the case of a extended care hospital, a standard of 60 m2 per bed should be used. 3.2.3 Provision of hospital service in different regions are pursued by the Hospital Authority in liaison with the Planning Department. 3.3 Specialist Clinics/Polyclinics 3.3.1 There should be a specialist clinic/polyclinic whenever a hospital is built to offer the necessary support. 3.3.2 One main function of specialist clinic/polyclinic is to supplement hospital services with specialities and other specialist treatment centres including laboratories, radiology and expanded provision for medical rehabilitation. Where specific site reservation has to be made, about 4712m2 (62m x 76m) should be provided. Site reservations should take into account local development constraints, if any, and the planning should allow scope for expansion of the ambulatory care and out-patient services. 3.3.3 The provision of specialist clinic/polyclinic service in different regions should be pursued by the Hospital Authority in liaison with the Planning Department. 3.4 General Clinics/Health Centres 3.4.1 For future planning purpose, the aim should be to provide one clinic/health centre for every 100,000 persons. This ratio is to be applied with flexibility to meet different district needs of a region. 3.4.2 The provision of general clinic/health centre service is to be considered in a district context to provide primary health care services including general out-patient service and family health service. Where specific site reservation has to be made, about 2220 m2 (37 m x 60 m) should be provided. 3.4.3 For the provision of rural clinics, each case should be considered on its own merits. 3.4.4 The provision of general clinic/health centre service in different districts should be pursued by the Department of Health in liaison with the Planning Department. 3.5 Location Factors 3.5.1 Good accessibility and a reasonably central location to the area served are the principal factors to be taken into account in the reservation of sites for public and extended care hospitals and clinics. 3.5.2 Hospitals should prefereably be sited in elevated positions to take advantage of scenic views and more equable environmental conditions. They should also be so located as to be insulated from noise and fumes from major road and industrial uses. Specialist clinics should be located adjacent to public hospitals to facilitate inter-dependent support. 3.5.3 General clinics should be centrally located within the districts they are intended to serve. They should be easily accessible by public transport and, where possible, be sited in association with other community facilities to which residents require daily access.
4.1.1 The following standards should be used as a general guide: Table 2 : Standards for Police Stations
4.1.2 No hard and fast rules can be laid down as to when district and divisional stations may be needed within the limits of the prescribed standards as much depends on local factors such as :
4.1.3 The need for marine police stations will be governed by such variable factors as :
4.2 Locational Factors 4.2.1 In general terms, police stations should be so located to afford good access to members of the public without jeopardizing security.
5.1 Standards 5.1.1 The standards for the provision of magistracies should be one 8-courtroom magistracy for a population up to 660,000 persons. This is however to be applied with flexibility to meet the updated policy objectives of the Judiciary and the district needs of a region. 5.1.2 The need to provide for magistracies in single-user buildings is a matter which should be confirmed with the Judiciary Administrator and the Government Property Administrator. For a standard 8-courtroom magistracy, a site reservation of about 4 200 m2 (61 m x 69 m) should normally be allowed for. However, where possible, the site dimension for single-user buildings should be applied with flexibility to ensure optimum site utilization. 5.2 Locational Factors 5.2.1 In view of the considerable day-to-day use that is made of magistracies, it is important that they should be in a readily accessible central location on or close to main public transportation routes. Where possible, they should be sited in close association with other main Government offices. Adequate on-site loading/unloading and parking facilities should be provided, subject to the advice of the Transport Department.
6.1 Standards 6.1.1 Penal institutions include minimum, medium and maximum security prisons, drug addiction treatment centres, detention centres and training centres. The scale of provision required for each facility needs to be determined on a long-term basis in the light of detailed studies of historical trends and projections of those components which are likely to influence the nature of crimes and conviction rates, e.g. changing age structure of the population, economic conditions, new laws, police detection rates etc. 6.2 Locational Factors 6.2.1 Sites for penal institutions should be located in areas that are reasonably well insulated from main urban areas but at the same time should be served with good communications so as to make it relatively easy for prison staff to visit the nearest town for social purposes and also to encourage relatives to visit the inmates. 6.2.2 In selecting sites for penal institutions careful regard must be given to ensuring the availability of school facilities for the children of the prison staff. 6.2.3 For mutual security purposes penal institutions should be located so as to have good inter-institutional accessibility. 6.2.4 The configuration of sites should be such as to enable the provision of playing fields. 6.2.5 The location should also offer a reasonable aspect having regard to any possible adverse effects a penal institution might have on the amenity and development of adjoining areas. 6.2.6 With a view to making optimum use of Hong Kong's land resources, regard should be made to the possibility of siting penal institutions on disused borrow areas formed in connection with major public works and/or of making use of abandoned work camps. 6.2.7 It is recommended that minimum security prisons be located in areas where inmates can be given useful employment such as afforestation work.
7.1 Standards 7.1.1 On the basis of the Policy on Fire Fighting endorsed by Executive Council in April 1977, it is recommended that the provision and siting of fire stations within urban and rural areas should be based on a graded response time determined by a fire risk category system. The response time is the period of time between the time of the fire call received by the Fire Services Communication Centre and the time of the arrival of the Fire Services resources at the scene of the fire. 7.1.2 The level of initial attendance to a fire is to be determined by the fire risk category of the area in which the fire occurs except where special circumstances warrant a higher level of response. 7.1.3 All future fire stations should be classified and provided with sites as follows : (a) Standard Divisional Fire
Stations
(b) Standard Sub-divisional Fire
Stations (c) The frontage of the site in each case will have to be widened accordingly if the run-in to the drill yard is not from the back. However, the site area will remain the same (d) When a standard divisional fire station and ambulance depot are erected on a joint site, a minimum site allocation of 3 830 m2, with a minimum frontage of 80 m and a drill yard of 1 635 m2 behind the divisional fire station building block, should be made. (e) When a standard sub-divisional fire station and ambulance depot are erected on a joint site, a minimum site allocation of 2 670 m2, with a minimum frontage of 70 m and a drill yard of 1 225 m2 behind the sub-divisional fire station building block, should be made. (f) Non-standard fire stations may be required at certain locations to meet local needs. 7.1.4 Fire stations may be accommodated on joint sites with ambulance depots, wherever practicable. 7.1.5 Fire stations may be located on the ground and lower levels of a building with other forms of government development above, provided that the fire stations are completely segregated from such other uses. Separate access on the ground floor should be provided and the windows of the other development overlooking the drill yard should be kept to the minimum number in order to maintain security and privacy. Furthermore, such other uses should have a compatible nature with the fire stations. The compatibility of the intended government uses with the fire stations and the feasibility of having such combined development should be judged on individual merit and subject to agreement of the Fire Services Department. 7.2 Locational Factors 7.2.1 Fire stations should be located with ready access onto both ways of primary or district distributor roads. Regard should also be made to the traffic circulation pattern and interchanges.
8.1 Standards 8.1.1 According to the Ambulance Programme Plan, the number of ambulances required will be calculated according to the projected population distribution and the projected incidence rate which will determine the number of emergency and removal calls, taking also into account the provision of further social welfare services by Government, particularly in respect of hospitalization and associated activities in specialized clinics. 8.1.2 For all future ambulance depots, the standard sub-divisional fire station design is adopted, except that there is no drill tower. A minimum site allocation of 1160 m2 (36 m frontage) should be made. 8.1.3 The frontage of the site will have to be widened accordingly if the run-in to the drill yard is not from the back. However, the site area will remain the same. 8.1.4 When a standard ambulance depot and divisional fire station are to be erected on a joint site, a minimum site allocation of 3830 m2, with a minimum frontage of 80 m and a drill yard of 1635 m2 behind the divisional fire station building block, should be made. 8.1.5 When a standard ambulance depot and sub-divisional fire station are to be erected on a joint site, a minimum site allocation of 2670 m2, with a minimum frontage of 70 m and a drill yard of 1255 m2 behind the sub-divisional fire station building block, should be made. 8.1.6 Ambulance stations are non-standard provisions based on local needs. 8.1.7 Ambulance depots/stations may be accommodated on joint sites with fire stations, wherever practicable. 8.1.8 Ambulance depots/stations may be located on the ground and lower levels of a building with other forms of government development above, provided that the ambulance depots/stations are completely segregated from such other uses. Separate access on the ground floor should be provided and the windows of the other development overlooking the service yard of the ambulance depots/stations should be kept to the minimum number in order to maintain security and privacy. Furthermore, such other uses should have a compatible nature with the ambulance depots/stations. The compatibility of the intended government uses with the ambulance depots/stations and the feasibility of having such combined development should be judged on individual merit and subject to agreement of the Fire Services Department. 8.2 Locational Factors 8.2.1 Ambulance depots and stations should be so sited as to afford ambulances to give an emergency coverage within 10 minutes and 20 minutes in urban/new town and rural areas respectively, and should be located in convenient proximity to:
8.2.2 Ambulance depots and stations should also be located with ready access onto both ways of primary or district distributor roads. Regard should also be made to the traffic circulation system and interchanges.
9.1 Definition 9.1.1 Arts venues in the context of this section refer to the physical accommodation for the undertaking of arts activities of different types, nature and forms. They include venues for dance, drama, film and media arts, music, performances and visual arts but exclude commercial-oriented and profit making entertainment venues such as cinema and disco. Arts facilities may be in the following, but not necessarily exhaustive, forms: theatres, coliseums, studios, exhibition halls, function rooms and offices for production and promotion of arts activities. Museums and libraries, except arts related, are not included. 9.2 Assessment of Need 9.2.1 The provision of arts venues should be determined on the basis of need, as assessed and advised by the Secretary for Home Affairs. When determining need, the following should be taken into consideration:
9.3 A Framework for Provision 9.3.1 The planning of arts venues should be based on two broad levels of need:
9.4 Locational and Area Planning Guidelines Accessibility 9.4.1 Accessibility is a key criterion in the selection of locations for arts venues as it directly influences the level of participation by artists and audiences. 9.4.2 Arts venues at the territory-wide level will serve the needs of both residents and visitors. They should be located at a prominent location in the heart of the city or within reasonable commuting distance from the city and be easily accessible by public transport by both residents and visitors. Venues catering for high proportions of overseas patrons should be located in close proximity to major hotels, tourist attractions and main shopping areas. 9.4.3 Arts venues at the community level will primarily serve the needs of local residents. In deciding the location of such venues, it is essential to consider the proximity to workplaces and residential districts to encourage community participation. In particular, facilities for arts education should be located within walking distance from schools and community facilities. Environmental Considerations 9.4.4 In the selection of location for arts venues, environmental guidelines as stipulated in HKPSG Chapter 9 should be followed. The quality of the neighbouring environment and the extent to which the arts venues are buffered from roads and other noxious and possibly incompatible uses such as refuse collection points and markets, should be considered. Setbacks from nearby roads and the use of landscaped open space as buffers can address environmental concerns. In the selection of location for open area venues, possible noise impact affecting surrounding sensitive receivers should be avoided. Agglomeration of Facilities 9.4.5 The selection of location for new arts venues should give due consideration to the importance of agglomeration of arts facilities. This can take two forms, namely:
Arts Districts 9.4.6 In order to provide the horizontal integration of arts and supporting facilities, development plan preparation should identify and comprehensively plan new arts districts and arts renewal areas. Areas should be chosen:
9.4.7 The comprehensive planning principles to be adopted in these areas will include:
9.5 Traffic and Transport Guidelines Public Transport 9.5.1 Access to public transport facilities is a key consideration in the planning and development of arts venues. Where possible, art venues should be located in close proximity to public transportation routes and termini. The difference of accessibility needs between local residents and overseas visitors, as the two main groups of patrons, should also be acknowledged:
Loading/Unloading Facilities 9.5.2 In the planning of arts venues, the need to provide adequate loading and unloading facilities for the transportation of props, sets and exhibits should be considered. Arts venues require adequate and efficient loading/unloading facilities, the provision level of which would depend on the scale and nature of the arts activities at the venue. 9.5.3 Sufficient space, including adequate turning circles, should be provided for the temporary parking of goods vehicles. Adequate container lifts and handling facilities for large-size objects should also be provided to aid loading and unloading. Parking Facilities 9.5.4 Adequate parking for goods vehicles and private cars should be provided in very close proximity to the art venue itself, or preferably on-site. The needs for parking facilities would depend on the scale of performances, exhibitions and other arts activities at the venue, the number of patrons, performers and facility staff involved and the accessibility to public transport provision. 9.6 General Design Guidelines Venues at Territory-wide Level 9.6.1 Major arts venues, in particular for provision at the territory-wide level, should adopt a distinctive external design of landmark quality. 9.6.2 The design of major arts venues should be carried out to ensure external and internal design is fully compatible. Specialist designers should be employed and specialised facilities should be provided in order to adequately cater for the functional requirements while achieving a high quality of aesthetic design. Relevant Government departments should be consulted on planning, building and safety standards. Venues at Community Level 9.6.3 While distinctive and high quality design is desirable, spacious accommodation, flexibility in usage, low cost to users and effective and sympathetic management style are equally if not more important. Special Needs for the Disabled and the Elderly 9.6.4 Arts venues should cater for the special needs of the disabled and elderly participants and patrons. Ramps with handrails leading to the stages, seats and other facilities, disabled toilets, carparks reserved for use by the disabled and other supporting facilities should be provided. 9.7 Provision of Service/Ancillary Facilities 9.7.1 The schedule of accommodation for venues for performance and exhibition should include complementary facilities for office for production and promotion, rehearsal, practice and workshop etc. Where appropriate, training venues to help nurture and cultivate the arts talents for the young generation and the community should be provided. 9.7.2 Sufficient facilities for storage and possibly the buildings of sets and props should be provided on the same basis, depending on the scale and nature of the arts activities the venues are designed for. 9.7.3 The provision of catering and retail outlets and entertainment facilities for the patrons should be considered. 9.8 The Use of Non-Dedicated Facilities for Arts Activities 9.8.1 The use of non-dedicated facilities for arts activities, either temporarily or on a permanent basis, should be encouraged, taking into consideration building and safety standards and land use compatibility. Residential Developments 9.8.2 In the planning of public and private housing estates, provision of facilities for arts activities such as performances, exhibitions, rehearsals, workshops and training classes should be considered and provided where practicable. Industrial Developments 9.8.3 Proposals for use of existing industrial premises in areas where there are no major environmental interface problems for appropriate arts activities (e.g. ceramic and sculpture workshops) should be sympathetically considered. Commercial Developments 9.8.4 In the planning of commercial premises, including exhibition centres, retail centres, office buildings and hotels, provision of facilities for arts activities such as performances and exhibitions should be encouraged. Public Buildings 9.8.5 Government departments and public agencies such as Lands Department, Government Property Agency, and Urban Renewal Authority, should consider allowing the temporary or permanent use of available premises under their management for arts activities such as arts studios, workshops and rehearsal venues. These include under-utilised community halls, or the temporary use of school premises. Heritage Buildings 9.8.6 Conversion of heritage buildings and other public buildings of special character, for arts activities congruent with the character of the buildings should be promoted e.g. folklore performance in a historical building. Temporary Use of Common Spaces Within/Between Buildings 9.8.7 The flexible use of large common circulation spaces, such as lobbies and foyers etc., within or between public and private buildings, for arts activities on a temporary basis should be encouraged. Public Outdoor Spaces 9.8.8 In the planning of public outdoor spaces such as major open space, sports ground, waterfront promenades, pedestrian streets and open squares, the provision of space for incidental outdoor arts activities, such as performances and exhibitions, should also be encouraged, subject to no adverse noise and traffic impacts.
Background 10.1.1 Community halls have mainly been planned and provided as a part of community centres, each of which consists of a community hall for community activities and a separate welfare block with a fixed floor area for welfare services. Consequent to a review of the provision of accommodation for welfare services, it is considered more appropriate for the extent of floor area required for welfare services to be assessed and determined on a project by project basis. Therefore, the previous planning standards and guidelines for the provision of community centres are no longer valid. There is a need to promulgate a new set of planning standards and guidelines for the provision of community halls. 10.1.2 Whilst in future community halls will no longer be co-located with welfare services in every case, there are clear advantages for including welfare services in the development of community halls, as the clients of welfare services are one of the main users of community halls. Hence, the Director of Social Welfare (responsible for welfare facilities and Group Work Units) should be consulted, early at the project planning stage of the community halls, on the extent of welfare accommodation required for joint development with the community halls. Responsibility for Community Halls 10.1.3 The Director of Home Affairs is responsible for the provision and management of community halls and, hence, should be consulted on all community hall proposals. The Government Property Administrator, who is tasked with ensuring optimum utilisation of sites, should also be consulted at an early stage of the planning process. Arrangements may sometimes be made for other Government departments e.g. Housing Department, to provide and/or manage community halls on behalf of the Home Affairs Department. In such cases, the client departments should also be consulted early in the planning process. Functions of Community Halls 10.1.4 Community halls provide a focal point for local community activities undertaken by all age groups, including such activities as meetings of local community organisations; social group and civic education activities; training courses; and celebration, recreation and sport activities. They also provide temporary sheltering for people in need during natural disasters, emergency situations and inclement weather. Provision of Community Halls 10.1.5 Community halls are provided on the basis of need, as assessed and advised by the Director of Home Affairs who will take into account the views of local community. The views of the respective District Officers should hence be sought on the need for the provision of community halls when development plans (including outline development plans, layout plans and planning briefs for comprehensive development/redevelopment) are prepared. The respective District Officers and the Government Property Administrator should also be consulted on the continued need for sites reserved on current development plans for community centres/halls. 10.1.6 When determining need, the following factors should be taken into consideration:
10.1.7 Where the need for a community hall is discerned, but is not up to a level as to justify a 'full-size standard-designed' facility, or a planned community hall cannot be provided in time to meet community needs, alternative accommodations for community activities should be considered. This could include specially-designed multi-purpose function rooms and selected school halls. Floor Area/Site Requirements 10.1.8 Community halls should, as far as possible, be planned and provided as a part of integrated GIC developments in the form of joint-users buildings, or as an integral part of comprehensive developments where no suitable GIC sites are available. The Government Property Administrator is responsible for co-ordinating joint user requirements and taking the integrated development project forward in the Capital Works Programme. When it is not possible to develop integrated GIC cum community hall buildings due to such problems as the timing and priority of resources for individual GIC components, stand-alone community halls may be constructed subject to the agreement of the Property Strategy Group. 10.1.9 It should, however, be noted that as advised by the Government Property Administrator, stand-alone community halls would only be approved in exceptional circumstances. Every effort should hence be made to identify joint-users for an integrated development and to resolve associated implementation issues. 10.1.10 A standard-designed community hall requires about 1,260 m2 of gross floor area (32 m x 39.5 m) and should include a multi-purpose hall for 450 persons, a stage, a stage store, male and female dressing rooms and a meeting room. If not provided elsewhere, an ancillary management office, a store room and a conference room as well as toilets should be provided. 10.1.11 Where a full-size standard-designed community hall is not required, specially-designed multi-purpose function rooms for community activities should be considered. 10.1.12 Due to the relatively large floor area required for a community hall, should there be the need it may be appropriate to reserve sites for the joint-users buildings by using community halls as the basic component, and then add on other GIC uses. The respective District Planning Officers, having regard to such factors as size of site available, types of GIC facilities, location, ease of access to population being served etc., and in consultation with concerned departments, in particular Government Property Agency, should work out the facilities to be accommodated in the joint-users buildings and the respective floor area requirements for the facilities. Locational Factors 10.1.13 To facilitate maximum utilization, community halls should be centrally located and be easily accessible to the population they are intended to serve. Other GIC facilities to be co-located with community halls should preferably be used by the public on a day-to-day basis such as government offices, welfare facilities, clinics, etc. 10.2 Social Welfare Facilities 10.2.1 The Social Welfare Department provides a wide range of facilities for different sectors of the community including children and youth, the elderly and the disabled etc. Some of the facilities are provided in the welfare block of community centres, while others are accommodated in public housing estates, private developments and joint-user buildings. Listed below are facilities which are planned on a population basis and are widely distributed throughout the territory. 10.2.2 For the purpose of assessing premises requirements for social welfare facilities, several terms are employed, including "net operational floor area", "net usable floor area" and "gross floor area". The definition for these terms are given in Table 3. Child Care Centres The Standards 10.2.3 Child care centres provide care | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
