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The University of Hong Kong (HKU) has proposed reducing the site area by 7,000 square meters for its Global Innovation Centre (GIC) in its updated proposal, which the Town Planning Board will review on Friday (Jul 11).
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The adjustment follows backlash over the initial plan to establish the GIC in a green belt area between Pok Fu Lam Road and Victoria Road, prompting the university to revise the proposal since October last year.
According to the revised plan published on Monday, the reduced area is equivalent to 16 to 17 basketball courts.
The GIC will also maintain a significant buffer distance -- at least 100 meters -- from Upper Baguio Villa while preserving over 75 percent of the green belt area. The main development site will utilize adjacent land zoned as Residential (Category C).
Meanwhile, the university clarified that the GIC will not include P3 or P4 biosafety-level laboratories, and all labs will adhere to rigorous international safety standards.
The proposal also highlights plans to establish green terraces and open spaces for the community.
Southern District councillor Jonathan Leung Chun noted that HKU provided "insufficient explanation" regarding its impact on residents' lives during previous consultations despite emphasizing the GIC's importance for Hong Kong's development.
Leung urged the university to provide more precise details in upcoming consultations on how the project will improve living convenience and enhance community connectivity.
Additionally, lawmaker Chan Hok-fung emphasized that the university must maintain good relations with residents to ensure the plan's success, noting that the revised proposal demonstrates the university's commitment to addressing community concerns.
