The government is set to launch a pilot scheme that will allow hotels and commercial buildings to be converted into student dorms, exempting them from standard planning procedures, according to the Development Bureau.
Speaking on a radio program on Monday, Permanent Secretary for Development (Planning and Lands) Doris Ho Pui-ling stated that the initiative aims to streamline the vetting and approval procedures for dormitory development, thereby supporting the establishment of the "Study in Hong Kong" brand highlighted in the Policy Address.
Expected to be launched around mid-July, Ho said authorities aim to roll out the pilot scheme with clear rules and minimal compliance costs. She hoped to leverage market forces to improve supporting facilities as a prerequisite for enhancing the brand.
Under the Scheme, hotels and commercial buildings set to be converted into dormitory facilities or other supporting amenities will not be required to demolish excess gross floor area (GFA).
Ho noted that certain existing features, such as covered parking areas and loading/unloading zones, may be retained and will remain exempt from GFA calculations.
Additionally, parking spaces and similar areas may be flexibly repurposed into study rooms, laundry facilities, and gyms.
Ho stated that the approximately 90,000 available hotel rooms are sufficient to accommodate visitors amid shifting consumption patterns, and any conversion of low-end hotels into dormitories will be market-driven.
She also highlighted the relatively high vacancy rate in commercial office spaces, expressing hope that the Scheme will incentivize property owners to repurpose their buildings.
Ho said the government has not set a specific target or upper limit for the number of dormitories that could be increased under the Scheme and will focus on encouraging participation by streamlining the application process.
Professor Charles Kwong Che-leung, vice president of Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU), expressed support for the government's new initiative during a radio program yesterday, stating it could significantly reduce administrative processing time.
However, he emphasized that location selection and supporting infrastructure remain crucial factors.
Kwong also suggested the government relax size restrictions on repurposed facilities to allow greater flexibility.
When asked whether HKMU would apply under the new policy, he noted that, as it involves a major project, the university would carefully evaluate its needs before making any decisions.
(Judy Cui)
(Updated at 8.25pm)
