In his policy address, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said he remained “deeply concerned” about the progress of the Northern Metropolis mega project.
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And so he might be. With plans first unveiled almost four years ago and a detailed “action agenda” released two years ago, there is still barely any concrete evidence of its existence. It is intended to transform 30,000 hectares (about a third of Hong Kong’s land area), adding 500,000 homes so the area can accommodate a population of up to 2.5 million from the current 980,000, and creating about 650,000 more jobs, from just 134,000 now.
The Northern Metropolis, with a price tag of around HK$225 billion (US$28.93 billion), is by far Hong Kong’s largest project since the 1950s New Town building programme. It is set to transform the massive green lung separating Hong Kong from Shenzhen.
From Hung Shui Kiu in the west linking to Qianhai and Nansha, through the San Tin Technopole, Lo Wu and Fanling, to a recreation zone around Sha Tau Kok in the east, the Northern Metropolis will not only be home to Hong Kong’s hi-tech future but also shape our integration with the 87 million-strong population of Greater Bay Area economy.
In the face of increasing impatience in Beijing and across the boundary, Lee devoted a large chunk of his policy address to a wide range of ambitious initiatives intended to speed up progress. He talked of a distinct set of laws for the Northern Metropolis, simplified statutory procedures and expedited funding approvals.
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He talked of “superior construction methods” and fast-tracked planning applications. He promised the first of three Northern Metropolis university towns, in Hung Shui Kiu, would have its site ready for use next year. He put Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po in charge of a powerful new body to coordinate the Northern Metropolis’ development, financing and operations.