Over 500,000 residential units to be built in Northern Metropolis

More than 500,000 residential units will be built on the land allocated for the Northern Metropolis, government officials announced in an action plan on Monday, with all land acquisition processes to commence by 2027.

The Northern Metropolis will be divided into four zones. 

Areas near Hung Shui Kiu will be allocated for a high-end professional services and logistics hub, with a commercial floor space of no less than two million square meters. 

Authorities have also reserved over 70 hectares of land for industrial purposes near Hung Shui Kiu/ Ha Tsuen and Yuen Long South for the development of multi-story buildings for modern industries.

The government said the projects in Hung Shui Kiu/ Ha Tsuen and Yuen Long South, along with other public housing projects in the area, are expected to provide over 140,000 residential units, as well as 290,000 job opportunities.

As for the innovation and technology zone, about half of the 600 hectares of land at San Tin Technopole will be allocated for innovation and technology purposes, spanning across the San Tin/ Lok Ma Chau Loop area and providing a gross floor area of seven million square meters - equivalent to 17 Hong Kong Science Park.

The government said the San Tin Technopole will provide up to 54,000 residential units and some 6,400 talent apartments, along with over 210,000 job opportunities.

Meanwhile, the boundary commerce and industry zone - which includes some 1,500 hectares of land of the New Territories North New Development Area and in Lo Wu/ Man Kam To, will have the potential to promote cross-boundary business services and entertainment spending given its geographic advantages.

The Heung Yuen Wai Boundary Control Point will also take on a more important role in freight transportation, with a new and modernized logistics services base to be established in the area.

Separately, the blue and green recreation, tourism, and conservation circle – comprising areas endowed with rich cultural heritage and natural resources, such as Robin's Nest, Sha Tau Kok, and Yan Chau Tong, will promote recreation and tourism development.

Vic Yau Cheuk-hang, Director of the Northern Metropolis Co-ordination Office, said the metropolis will provide 3,000 hectares of newly developed land, with 1,400 hectares ready for development within ten years to provide over 500,000 residential units.