Northern Metropolis

The Northern Metropolis (Chinese: 北部都會區) is a planning area, consisting of two district administration areas, including North District and Yuen Long District in the northern New Territories in Hong Kong.[1] It is envisioned as an integrated living and economic region aimed at leveraging the strengths of integration with Shenzhen.[2]

The development strategy is focused on connecting Hong Kong more closely with the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau Greater Bay Area.[3] Chief Executive Carrie Lam stressed Hong Kong's integration with Shenzhen in particular.[4]

The centrepiece of the new development is planned to be the San Tin Technopole, an innovation and technology centre which will include the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation & Technology Park (HSITP) located on the Lok Ma Chau Loop and an Innovation & Technology park in San Tin.[5]

In March 2023, Regina Ip said that the Northern Metropolis project should be prioritized over Lantau Tomorrow Vision; John Lee then responded by saying both projects would move ahead simultaneously without the need to prioritize one over the other.[6] In April 2023, a survey showed that only 6% of Hongkongers supported Lee's idea to build both simultaneously.[7]

In July 2024, it was revealed that 80% of submissions from the public opposed the plan to build the Technopole due to construction on wetlands.[8]

Villagers

In August 2023, Hong Kong Secretary of Technology and Innovation Sun Dong said that he had "suffered a lot of pressure" from New Territories rural leader Kenneth Lau, over Lau's insistence to integrate villages into the San Tin Technopole plan.[9]

In August 2024, a 29 year old villager filed a lawsuit against the government's plans to reclaim some villager land for the project, saying that the land was protected under the small house policy.[10]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Northern Metropolis envisioned". news.gov.hk. 2021-10-06.
  2. ^ "Northern Metropolis Development Strategy" (PDF). policyaddress.gov.hk. 2021-10-06.
  3. ^ "CE unveils visionary Northern Metropolis plan in Policy Address". info.gov.hk. 2021-10-06.
  4. ^ "CE proposes Northern Metropolis in policy address". Radio Television Hong Kong. 2021-10-06.
  5. ^ Cheng, Mandy. "Explainer: What is Hong Kong's San Tin Technopole and why is the planned tech hub controversial? - Hong Kong Free Press HKFP". hongkongfp.com. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  6. ^ "Hong Kong leader says work on 2 mega land projects to proceed at same time". South China Morning Post. 2023-03-28. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  7. ^ Chau, Candice. "Only 6 per cent of Hongkongers support developing artificial islands, Northern Metropolis at same time, poll finds - Hong Kong Free Press HKFP". hongkongfp.com. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
  8. ^ "80% of submissions on Hong Kong tech hub oppose plan amid environmental worries". South China Morning Post. 2024-06-22. Retrieved 2024-07-22.
  9. ^ Chan, Irene (2023-08-18). "Hong Kong rural body concerned over fate of villages amid plans for massive tech hub near border". Hong Kong Free Press HKFP. Retrieved 2023-08-18.
  10. ^ "Hong Kong indigenous villager files judicial challenge against city bid on land". South China Morning Post. 2024-08-26. Retrieved 2024-09-25.