By Yiu Chi-shing
The Development Bureau recently announced Preliminary Development Proposals for New Territories North New Town and Ma Tso Lung. The North New Town is expected to cover an area of 1,175 hectares, accounting for about one-third of the newly developed land in the entire Northern Metropolis. Plans include the establishment of a port economy, new industries, and cultural, educational, and sports hubs while integrating the concept of "urban-rural integration," ensuring the preservation of all 21 recognized villages and indigenous villages in the area.
The planning proposals from the Development Bureau not only take into account the characteristics and advantages of the area but also leverage the port economy, new industries, and cultural and educational sectors as key industrial drivers, which will help inject economic vitality and attractiveness into the region. This indicates that the development of the Northern Metropolis has officially entered a significant phase. As government planning becomes clearer and more detailed, combined with the flexibility brought by a sectoral development model, the development of the Northern Metropolis will accelerate comprehensively.
As an important engine for Hong Kong's economy, the Northern Metropolis' success requires proactive planning by the SAR government to clarify industrial layouts, implement more robust investment promotion and land incentive policies, and fully leverage market forces to connect internal and external markets and resources. The Hong Kong business community, with no doubt, will play a crucial role in this process. The central government has high expectations for the Hong Kong business sector, hoping they will achieve new successes in this new development stage. The Northern Metropolis serves as an important platform and will bring significant development opportunities for the business community. The Hong Kong business sector must actively cooperate, effectively serve as a bridge for external and internal connections, and align with the industrial development of the Northern Metropolis to create greater development space for both Hong Kong and themselves.
Vitality and Appeal of the "Priority Development Area"
The North New Town is the largest development area within the Northern Metropolis. The Development Bureau's planning proposal will prioritize the development of a 206-hectare "Priority Development Area," which includes the Heung Yuen Wai commercial and residential area, the enterprise park in Heung Yuen Wai, and the University Town. The Ma Tso Lung project occupies about 55 hectares, with 52 hectares designated for private residential development, providing convenient community services and living support for future innovation and technology enterprises in the Lok Ma Chau Loop. The planning proposal reflects several characteristics:
1. Injecting Vitality through Port Economy: The port economy leverages the frequent flow of people, goods, and capital at the port to stimulate nearby commercial or industrial development. Historically, Hong Kong's ports primarily served transit and commuting functions without capitalizing on the economic stimulation from people flow. This proposal clearly outlines the development of a port economy, along with comprehensive planning for urban and industrial integration, which will inject economic development momentum into the area and create job opportunities for residents.
2. Proactive Planning Leveraging Local Characteristics: The planning proposal aims to develop cultural, educational, and sports hubs, new industries, and ecological systems in the area. The cultural, educational, and sports industries have grown rapidly in recent years, with regions like Singapore, New Zealand, and South Korea having developed mature industries that bring significant economic benefits. The Northern Metropolis possesses rich ecological and historical cultural resources, with ample land supply, making it well-suited for developing cultural, educational, and sports industries. A key challenge for Hong Kong's new and high-tech industries is land availability, and the land in the Northern Metropolis can provide favorable conditions for nurturing new industries.
3. Residential Development in Ma Tso Lung: Located between Kwu Tung, San Tin, and Hetao (the Loop), the government suggests developing private residential areas to attract talent working nearby. For the Northern Metropolis to evolve into a world-class innovation and technology center and industrial hub, it requires a substantial industrial presence and comprehensive living amenities for talents. To attract talent and enterprises, Hong Kong needs to continuously increase its residential supply. Planning part of the land for private housing will generate actual revenue and balance the planning needs of the area, reflecting the reasonableness of the proposal.
The Northern Metropolis will be developed as Hong Kong's center for innovation and new industries, forming an industrial landscape alongside Central's financial center, creating two major economic engines for Hong Kong. Additionally, the Northern Metropolis can serve as a platform for innovation and integration between Hong Kong and other cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).
GBA is a significant technology research and production base, while Hong Kong's advantage lies in fundamental research and its rich experience in commercializing and marketing research outcomes. The Northern Metropolis will provide an ideal platform for Hong Kong to further integrate into the Greater Bay Area's development in innovation and technology collaboration. Properly planning and developing the Northern Metropolis will inject continuous momentum into Hong Kong's long-term development and align with the national strategy for new quality productivity, supporting national development while contributing to Hong Kong.
Implementing Stronger Support Policies
For the development of the Northern Metropolis, three key points are crucial:
1. Complete Planning Quickly: It is essential to finalize the planning of the area as soon as possible. This requires not only macro-level planning but also micro, specific industrial planning, including identifying which industries each sector will develop and how to align with the area's characteristics. Only when the government sets the direction for industrial development and provides an industrial development blueprint can the business community consider investing in the Northern Metropolis comprehensively.
2. Accelerate Infrastructure Development: Infrastructure development must precede the Northern Metropolis's growth. Without a comprehensive transportation network, the development of commerce and various industries will be adversely affected. The SAR government should comprehensively plan and invest in the transportation network of the Northern Metropolis, adopting forward-thinking and proactive approaches to enhance infrastructure and ease connectivity.
3. Introduce Stronger Support Policies: The Hong Kong business community has a strong interest in the development of the Northern Metropolis and is willing to contribute. However, developing new industries requires significant resource investment, including land costs. The government can encourage business participation in Northern Metropolis development by simultaneously introducing more support and incentive measures. For example, Singapore's industrial parks provide various supports for enterprises, including affordable land and cash subsidies. The government could consider offering more supportive policies for businesses.
The Hong Kong business community has always played a vital role in contributing to the country and building Hong Kong, achieving both its development and that of Hong Kong. Now, as Hong Kong enters a critical transition period, accelerating the development of the Northern Metropolis is closely tied to the overall development of Hong Kong. The business community should leverage its strengths and take practical actions to contribute to the development of the Northern Metropolis, enhancing Hong Kong's prosperity and stability.
The author is a member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and the Chief Executive Election Committee of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Related News:
Businesses should join Northern Metropolis projects: John Lee
Comment