(Policy Address 2023) Land reserved in North District for building columbarium changed for I & T developments

The two-hectare site at Sandy Ridge in the North District originally reserved for building a public columbarium will now be used for I & T developments as well as other related purposes, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said. 

Lee added that the Northern Metropolis can provide about 500,000 new housing units and create 500,000 new jobs upon full development. 

The government will shortly publish the Action Agenda for the Northern Metropolis. It will integrate deeply with the planning of Shenzhen and other Greater Bay Area cities. 

The Hong Kong leader continued that the Northern Metropolis will be divided into the following four major zones from west to east. 

The first is the high-end professional services and logistics hub, covering Hung Shui Kiu and the surrounding area, connecting with the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Co-operation Zone. 

The hub will provide financial and professional services, on top of capitalizing on the locational advantages of the boundary control points for developing the modern logistics industry. 

The I&T zone will cover San Tin Technopole including the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Park in the Loop, and will create synergy with the Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Zone and serve as a hub for I&T development. 

Occupying the largest stretch of land, the boundary commerce and industry zone enjoys geographical advantages of the border points at Lo Wu, Man Kam To and Heung Yuen Wai. 

Apart from driving the development of industries such as advanced construction, green environment industries, health care, food technology and modern logistics, this zone will promote cross-boundary business services and entertainment spending, giving full play to its powerful function as a border point commercial zone. 

The blue and green recreation, tourism and conservation circle comprises of areas endowed with rich cultural heritage and natural resources, such as Robin’s Nest, Sha Tau Kok and Yan Tong Chau, which will promote the recreation and tourism development. 

The government will reserve sites in Hung Shui Kiu, the New Territories North New Town, etc. for the development of post-secondary institutions to build the Northern Metropolis University Town. 

Other sites in Kwu Tung North, Hung Shui Kiu, etc. will also be reserved for government office buildings to accommodate departments including those relocating from the Harbour Metropolis; and providing iconic cultural and arts facilities in San Tin Technopole, New Territories North, etc.