Northern Metropolis land-readiness target rises to 900 hectares by 2031

The government also eyes 70,000 domestic units in the area over five years. 

The government is targeting 900 hectares of land in the Northern Metropolis ready for development between 2026-27 and 2030-31, up from 120 hectares over the preceding five-year period.

It is also eyeing the completion of 70,000 domestic units in the area over the next five years, up from 11,000, alongside one million square metres of economic floor space.

The targets form part of Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development.

The wider Northern Metropolis project is expected to provide more than 3,000 hectares of new development land upon completion.

Under the plan, the metropolis will form the innovation and technology component of Hong Kong’s ‘South-North Dual Engine’ development model. 

Finance and other established sectors will remain concentrated around the Harbour Metropolis, whilst I&T development will be centred in the north.

The government will advance projects including San Tin Technopole, the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and the Northern Metropolis University Town.

The university-town development will comprise three areas in San Tin, Hung Shui Kiu, and Ta Kwu Ling, covering more than 1,000 hectares in total.

Around 300 hectares will be allocated for campus areas.

The government plans to begin allocating sites for the Hung Shui Kiu University Town campus area in 2026, with institutions targeted to move in between 2027 and 2028.

The university towns will facilitate joint programmes, faculties, and laboratories between Hong Kong institutions and universities and research organisations from the Mainland and overseas.